When you are about to get on a boat to go to a secluded island for a morning of shelling with a bunch of people who all LOVE SHELLING as much Shelling Sistahs Marilyn and Diane from Chicago…
And avid shellers Jessica (cute aqua backpack!) and Ben from Texas… It’s gonna be a good day!
As soon as I saw Rhonda (next photo) I had to tell her how cute her necklace was. She told me she made it…. then gave it to me off her neck! OMG What? Thank you! But really, this is how sweet she is….She would have given it to the first person who had liked it that much…
You know how I know this? Because as we all were waiting to get on the boat, Rachael had commented on her necklace too and she gave Rachael this bracelet she made. She has a heart of gold!
Needless to say, our iLoveShelling cruise to Cayo Costa on Saturday was a success. It was a perfect day. Awesome people, clear skies, calm water, gorgeous weather, aqua water…. and shells!
As soon as we got off the boat on Cayo Costa, lots of people scattered to their favorite areas to look for shells. Some went straight to the water and some went straight to the shell piles on the beach.
Bill C. saw my photo above of the shellers above and said it reminded him of the painting “The Gleaners”. LOL It does! I just got a kick out of it so I had to share it with you too. I borrowed this image of Millet’s 1857 oil painting from Wikipedia to show the similarity…
I loooove to show people how to spot the BABY’S EARS and the mini shells while Clark shows the rest of the group he finds the OLIVES, CONCHS and the bigger shells. Here I am pointing out the treasures that hide in the beautiful fallen tree roots…
There were hundreds of live CLOUDY PERIWINKLES!
Sally from Sarasota was going for the minis…
She was ready with her tupperware container. She has a nice WORMIE and ANGEL WING too.
She also found beautiful CANCELATE SEMELES. This is the only beach I ever see them…
Okay one more thing… she found the biggest stinkin TUSK SHELL I’ve ever seen…
Look at all of these white shell bags filled with the bigger shells like OLIVES, SUNRAY VENUSES, WHELKS, CONCHS, WORM ROCK and CORAL!
These were all found by this adorable family that just moved to Sanibel… Berkely, Matt, Loulie and Landon.
These were their faves out of their shell bags…
I was thrilled at how many people wanted to share their favorite treasure with the group. So many of my faves too! BABY’S EARS, WORMIES, SAND DOLLARS, OLIVES, VENUS SUNRAYS and ANGEL WINGS
Okay, I have to confess. I get overwhelmed when I meet so many awesome people that love this stuff as much as I do. I just want to drink it all in …so I forget to get names and I forget to take pictures of everything. I want to enjoy the moment so I want to apologize to these amazing folks that let me photograph your hands (in the photo above) but I didnt get all of your names. I know Rachael and Johnnie but if any of yall want to comment… I’d love to add your names. Awwww. I feel so badly … but look how cute they are!
I almost just started calling everybody “Sue” and “Jim” (yall know who you are- heehee). Let me assure you, nobody was worried was I was calling them. I do know that we all had a fabulous morning exploring the beautiful island of Cayo Costa finding treasures and making new shelling friends. It is soooo much fun. Thanks to Captiva Cruises’ Captain Brian for the safe, smooth ride and Captain Yogi for the funny stories!
If you want to join me, Clark (Oops! see? I didn’t even get a picture of Clark working his shelling backhoe!), and a boatload of other shellers just like you… join us!
I would love to do this sometime! I may be coming to Sanibel in Oct, do you do this then too? t/y Lynn
Lynn, Yes! October 8- I hope you can join us! click here for the dates http://www.iloveshelling.com/blog/iloveshelling-events/
Looks like everyone had a “shelluva” time! :D
Looks like the perfect day…sunshine, blue waters, cooler temps and lots of shells!!
Oooooh! Three weeks from tomorrow I will be on a plane with my two BFF galpals heading to Sanibel. We’re signed up for the April cruise – SO excited to meet you and spend some exshellent hours shelling. Maybe I’ll find another Junonia? I’m feelin’ it! See you sooooon!
I want to be you when I grow up!
Hi Pam. I was in 3 of the pictures!! I am in the brown and white swimsuit… Also one of the “hands” pictures.. I found one of the baby’s ears. What a great day, looking forward to going again!
Yes, Pat! You are one of the “Gleaners” (heehee) and I was tickle that you found a baby’s ear. It was fun to meet to you and being so photogenic!
Oh, I will be there on 4/7 — maybe I can join you on your April trip!!
My mom and I are signed up for the April cruise also! We cant wait to meet you! We are hoping for a Junonia this year… or maybe a horse conch! See you soon!
Pam, Frank and I had a great time! Thanks so much for putting these trips together! The rest of ya’ll need to come and go on one of these trips cause it is soooooo worth it!
Beautiful images Pam!
Love those pink- and yellow-tinted cancellate semeles! So extremely delicate and pretty!
Great times and Great shelling… :)
My first time shelling with Pam, and will NOT be my last! I had an awesome time. Next time I plan to stick closer to you Pam, I didn’t seem to find as many “keeper” shells as the rest of the group. No worries-Still had a great time! I look forward to joining you and more shelling fanatics in the near future! ;-)
Hi Pam.
I booked my trip for May 19th. Unfortunately I had to cancel my Shellapalooza trip…boo. But I am very excited for May 19th. You have to show me how to find baby’s ears and wentle traps. They have eluded me for 30+ years ;)
See you soon.
Andrea
Awesome time on the shelling adventure, Pam! And thanks to Super Sheller Clark for finding “my” sea bean!!
He says you are most welcome. It was meant to be since you had just asked about them. It was so much fun to meet you!
I was just doing some research before my trip to Sanibel on Friday. One of my favorite trips every year because I am an obsessive sheller. We are staying at Blind Pass condos again, and last year we hit the jack pot under the bridge to Captiva. I was just trying to refresh my memory and remember what kind of supplies I wished I had last year. Normally we just have kids sand buckets that we get when we arrive, but this year I want to kick it up a notch. Do you bring any shovels, special nylon bags or anything when you shell, particularly in that spot? I was often out in the water up to my waist, wearing water shoes, and hoping not to stick my hand on anything that would bite! Thanks in advance, and I will continue to explore your site for tips. Cheers.
Kari, everybody like to use different tools… if any at all. Clark is always with a shelling scoop. I’m normally with just a netted shell bag. If you are shelling at Blind Pass, if you need any shelling supplies, you can run down to YOLO surf shop on Andy Rosse Lane in Captiva. they would have everything you would need. http://www.yolowatersports.com. Good luck!
I’m coming to Sanibel for spring break with my brothers and parents. Is there anything planned for that whole week from march 24 to 30?:)
Love all the shells especially the cancellate semele, olives, sunray venus,babys ear and the giant wormies. Next time we’re there we’ll have to go on a shelling cruise. Pat
Any cruises planned for May?
Yes, Jane, May 19! Look at the ShellingAdventures tab on the left of the blog and click it. There are quite a few to choose from now.
Looks like so much fun. Love seeing the baby ears and tusk shells that Captain Brian taught me to find on our last trip in October. Along with memories of my Junonia sparkling in the tree roots. We’re still in snow and freezing temps in Iowa. Wish we could have joined you – thanks for sharing!
Do you have an excursions in February? We will be in the area for a couple weeks in 2014 and I am already excited at the prospect of shelling with a group of people as addicted as I am. I consider it just one step above gambling…its hard to walk away even after hours and hours
Thank you
I’m sure we will have lots of shelling adventures in 2014… but they havent been planned yet. I will announce them as soon as we can!
Kari,
I always have collapsible floating bucket Inside it are different sized medicine bottles to protect my smaller and more fragile shells. I like a long handled net to catch those run away jewels, sneaking off in the surf. Shelling is the best treasure hunt! Was there in Feb, my 4th visit. Can’t wait to go back.
Susan from Central California. I LOVE Pam’s blog, it takes me right back!