Category: Seashells and shelling

It’s Golden

Golden olive

Is that pretty or is that pretty? That, my friend, is a GOLDEN OLIVE. She is so shiny and golden! I found it while shelling at Blind Pass in the middle of the day, with lots of other people around. It was in the surf and hard to get with the waves, but I got it with my bare hands. I really should invest in a shell scooper.

array of olives

Here is an array of olives that I found today. All colors and all sizes. Of course, my favorite is Miss Goldie Locks 🙂

Sanibel Shells – Fine Specimens

 

Sanibel favorite shells
Sanibel favorite shells

This morning was worth waking up for. These beautiful specimens were found while walking by the Sanibel Lighthouse, in the water. Lace murex, lightning whelk, shark eye moon, colorful coquina, juvenile horse conch, and an auger.

What did you find today? I hope you got to go to shell!

Sand Sculptures on Sanibel

turtle sand art

My morning walk made me smile more than usual today. There were several sand sculptures for beach combers to find right by Gulf Side Park. It was like Christmas, in March.

dinosaur sand art

I still don’t know who creates these, but I’d love to find out. If it’s you, please introduce yourself to everyone, unless you want to remain the Sand Art Santa.

octopus sand art

Hello, Lion’s Paw

lion's paw

Hello, gorgeous! Today, I found my first lion’s paw on West Gulf Drive, near Access Five. I was just walking along the wrack line and it was completely even with the sand. A little hint of pink caught my eye and BOOM! There it was. Imagine the ride this little guy had — lion’s paw shells are deep water specimens, rarely found onshore. Reminds me of the turtles in Finding Nemo as they are riding the EAC – Eastern Australian Current! Righteous! Righteous!

Have you found one? If so where and when? I’d love to hear!

 

OceanView Inn, Islamorada

OceanView Inn

Not much luck shelling from the shore in Islamorada today, but I did spend a lovely evening at the OceanView Inn (locals call it the OV). This place has a 4.5 star rating on TripAdvisor, although it doesn’t look like much from the road.

Thursday nights are steak night. It’s $18.95 for a New York strip steak with a big ol’ baked potato. Can’t beat it.

OV firepit

This place also has rooms available (hence, the name INN in the name). I haven’t stayed here, but reports are it’s clean. In the meantime, I hope you can go to shell soon!

 

Kayaking on Sanibel

kayaking_Sanibel

If you’re looking to go kayaking on Sanibel, check out Tarpon Bay Explorers. Besides having a fantastic little gift shop filled with everything from wind chimes and jewelry to clothing and home goods, you can rent kayaks, sign up for a sunset or dolphin cruise, or take a guided tour on the water.

You can find all their rates online at their website, TarponBayExplorers.com. It was about $25 for two hours in the kayak. That was plenty of time for me and my little man. Just remember, any shells that you see while in the Refuge (J.N. Ding Darling), you can’t keep, even if they’re empty.

 

Homestead Bayfront Park

Biscayne National Park

Have you been to Bayfront Park in Homestead, Florida lately? They have done some major improvements, including a new walkway, lots of palms and there is a restaurant onsite called the Playa Grill.

I didn’t find any shells as I walked along the water’s edge, but I did have some good fish tacos at La Playa. They also serve other Mexican dishes, like nachos, burritos, enchiladas, and they serve beer and wine.

Biscayne National Park view

Homestead Bayfront Park is inside Biscayne National Park. After you pay your entrance fee at the booth, continue to go straight. If you turn left, you’ll be at the welcome center of Biscayne National Park.