Wow -- look at all those seashells! The shelling is always good on Sanibel. But, it was especially terrific last weekend after Tropical Storm Andrea breezed by the island. The storm brought lots of rain...and then lots of shells. These are Florida fighting conchs (strombus alatus), a warm water sea snail. They were all over the beach early Saturday morning. But, they weren't just pretty shells for a beachcomber to collect. They were homes. And, the mollusks living inside, were wiggling out of their shells onto the warm sand. Seeing that left me in a quandary. What to do? Reunite these creatures with the Gulf of Mexico or let Mother Nature have her way? After helping a few return to the sea, I quickly realized I was outnumbered and opted for the photo opps instead. The New York Times published a good article last summer about shelling on Sanibel. Click here to check it out. Hope everyone has been doing well!
7 comments:
Awww. Those poor little critters. Pretty amazing sight though. Thanks for the link to that article.
I just added http://www.iloveshelling.com/blog/ to my blog roll.
I have heard about the shells at Sanibel but have never made it there. Your photo makes me wish I had.
PS: I would have helped them return to the water. I also rescue earthworms when I see them stranded on the sideway.
Love the focus and I actually think I read the the article when it first appeared! Beautiful photo and shells so abundant on the beach (I would've tried to help a few too.)
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw your photo. Wonderful and interesting background info too.
I would have helped some return to the water!
I'm with Andy, even down to the earthworms. But there are limits and it looks like you could have spent days on the project. Great shot!
Glad you weren't hit too hard by the storm.
Another winner shot!!
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