INCREDIBLE low tide shelling on Sanibel after a storm!
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- Опубліковано 2 жов 2024
- Wow! This was some amazing early morning shelling at a very low tide, and combined with all the stormy weather, it paid off with a motherload of shells! Especially that I was pretty much the first one that explored that part of the beach as there were no lights in sight!
Beach: 2 miles west of lighthouse beach, Sanibel island, FL
Time of day: 4:30-5:30 AM
Date: 12/24/19
Tide: Low (-0.81)
My camera: Panasonic FZ-80
Whoops! The shell that I showed at the end that I thought was a queen conch, is not really a queen conch. It is a milk conch even though those two species are very similar. If it was a queen conch, it would have longer, and more spread apart spines, unlike the milk conch in the video.
I love love shelling so much. If I had been on that beach. I would have taken them all. It is like finding g gold to me. Can't leave behind. First thing I pack are my buckets. It's so relaxing. I cant throw back like you have, but if I was there I would love for you to throw back. I would be there to pick up. Lived your video. Please keep making them.
My grandparents lived just the other side of the causeway. I grew up spending summers with them and as an adult I took many trips down on my own. They instilled my love for shelling in me. Appropriately enough my nickname is Seashell. They taught me to watch for the tide times. We got up many a morning long before sunrise. My mother passed 21 years ago and chose to have her ashes scattered in the gulf from Sanibel. My grandmother moved up here to us in Georgia when my grandfathers health started failing. She missed Florida so much and wanted to be back there. She got to where her health didn’t permit it. I took her ashes and scattered them from the pier on the lighthouse beach on Sanibel. Their favorite beaches were the light house beach< Bowmans, Bunch which may have changed names by now and Ft Myers beach. Thank you for sharing your videos. I can smell the Florida salt air and feel the ocean breeze through them all.
WOW! What an amazing day!! Those whelks are just awesome! And the shark eyes too!
It really was amazing! Thanks for coming along!
Can’t believe I found a episode I haven’t seen before
Wow! I've never watched you before. What a haul. Congratulations on the Junonia.
Thanks so much for stopping by! This was one of my most memorable shelling outings on Sanibel to date :)
I went once at 3am tide going out, beach at WATERDIDE INN, paper figs and dead urchins were flying at me! Lots of giant cockles, love all your whelks! Amazing haul!
I loved all the whelks murex and shark eyes.
Your best finds were so beautiful and rare to find!!!
Nice video to watch 🐚
Thanks for the shelling trip!
You are very welcome :)
Holy cow you got some good finds! I would love to go night shelling - looks like so much fun!
Night shelling is awesome! Way more shells than during daytime, especially at low tide :)
@@shellstories I'm going to have to figure out how to do this legally and safely!
What time were you shelling ? Are there actually hours the beach is closed ? I know I've seen people out at 5a to catch sunrise photos..just still learning, as I'm a newbie to FL ! Thx.
@@nancycross2228 Sorry for a such late reply. I never got notified of your comment. Yes, certain beaches are closed during nighttime, but if you are staying at a hotel on the beach you can get out whenever you want. It looks like some beaches are still open during nighttime, like for example Lighthouse beach and Gulfside City park on Sanibel, so I think you could still get out on those beaches really early.
@@shellstories thank you. I know a few people who shell at night, especially if that's when Low Tide is. I appreciate your help. Thank you !
So many good finds! I felt like I was shelling with you!
Thank you!
Wow, that's the time to go! in the dark when no one else is there! Nice finds!
Shelling is so awesome that it's even enjoyable watching someone ELSE do it! Gotta get back down to Sanibel. It's been too long.
Oh wow 😯I wish I had just one of those gorgeous Welks in my collection
How can you pass by so many wonderful shells...lol I would be there all night like a crazy person...lol
There were so many I literally could not carry them all. Not that I need all of anyway. Thanks for watching!
I'm envious of all those beautiful shells! Do you keep all the shells you collect?
I keep shells I collect but I do recycle some shells back to the beach that I don't need.
I know I've watched this before, but it sure felt good to feel like I was by the ocean again. I loved the Gaudy Nautica you found at the beginning of this video, as well as the rest. Congratulations on the Junonia! What a great shelling trip!
Omg what an incredible beach walk!, those whelks 😳 holy moly! I about died when I saw that helmet you found! I found one at Bowman’s beach in February and last Thursday I was at Little Hickory and I found a Caribbean vase shell! I honestly about died! The vase shell is obviously very old but intact! Such an awesome video thank you!
EFFECTIVE JAN. 2021 THE LAW WILL TAKE AFFECT ON SHELLING PERMITS. THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE ADOPTED ,AND GOV. DESANTIS HAS SIGNED HB386-758, REQUIRING VISITORS TO FLORIDA BEACHES TO PURCHASE A SHELLING PERMIT. SIGNS WILL SOON BE POSTED AT MOST MAJOR BEACHES AND PARKING AREAS. THESE CAN BE PURCHASED ALONG WITH THE PURCHASE OF YOUR PARKING PERMITS ISSUED BY EACH COUNTY .
Beautiful rare shells, congrats on the junonia! You seemed frantically fast on the dizzying video lol. Hope you have many more days like this one, just discovered your videos & enjoy them from Ohio!
Wow! You found some really beautiful large shells! I'm from the coast of NJ. You are so lucky to have Sanibel!
Why didnt u help that crab back in the water?
The tide would come back in and scoop all the critters back in! ( It was a very low tide)
Look at all those shells in perfect condition and those RARE FINDS!!! This video is giving me heart palpitations!!!! How awesome!!
Thank you! This was a total jackpot. I've never found rare ones like that until that day when it all paid off, and if that wasn't enough, I found another rare conch the next day!! I'm currently editing the video from that other day :)
I found one of these rare shells in Sanibel when I was about 11. Had it for years. And had no idea it was so rare.
Thanks for sharing, I don’t live near the ocean and get to shell only on vacay. How big is your collection? What do you do with all the shells? I need ideas on how to display the ones I have.
Thank you! I display my larger shells on shelves, and wracks, and I have my smaller shells in little container. I'll do a video on that sometime soon.
I have large brandy snifter clear glass jars (approx 12") that I fill with my collections. place the unique large shells around the outer edges and fill the middle w smaller or shells w imperfections. top w the best in your collection. I always get compliments
Gees, leave some wells for others, except the really big ones! Those are yours.
What a great video! I absolutely love going to Marco Island and just returned from my second trip there! I’ve always wanted to do some shelling on Sanibel island. Now, I’ll have to wait for it to recover from Hurricane Ian. There were lots of smashed shells at Marco island, but I still managed to find some pretty whole shells. I found a teeny lightning whelk, that’s about a third to a half inch long! I was surprised at how many coquina (tiny butterfly clams, are what I call them), that I found. I love that they come in such a variety of colors. I’m hoping to figure out a way to make them into lasting jewelry pendants. I realllllllly enjoyed your video. I wish I could walk on the beach everyday!!
Thanks so much for the kind words! :) Coquinas are so incredibly diverse in coloration. I feel like if they were more rare they would be even more sought after by beachcombers. Happy shelling!
Just wondering why you passed by Florida conch shells saw several nice ones on video.. I enjoyed shelling at sannibel island. Thanks sharing.
I don't need 'em all! Thank you so much for stopping by!
Wow how nice to night shell! Great after storm finds 😍 I think after storm shelling is the best ❤
Post storm on Sanibel is hands down some of the best shelling I've ever experienced. Thanks so much for watching! :)
That is just incredible.
love the shelling, but you pan the camera too fast.
Some beautiful finds!!! May I ask what beach you are on here?
Thanks! It was about 2 miles west off Lighthouse beach on Sanibel island. This was at super low tide after a storm at night and there were barely any people on the beach so there were tons of shells!
@@shellstories What time were you beachcombing?
@@beatamachnowska7310 It was from around 4-5AM but I stayed out there until around 8AM.
What beach was this ? Nice haul !
This was near the Lighthouse (around a mile or so west of it). Keep in mind that beach isn't always like this, this was at 4 in the morning after a storm.
@@shellstories I'm so excited to start my shelling journey ! I just moved to Pensacola..leaving the Snow behind ! I plan to visit Sanibel more now that I'm closer. Love your Wonderful videos ! Thank you !
Don't ask how but i figured out that large whelk, conch, and horse conch shells make great weapons
LOL
Wow! All those whelks and shark eyes! Incredible! Where is your bag??? 😂
Thanks! I had my bag strapped around my shoulder, and the big ones went into my backpack :)
Thank you brings me joy🤩🤩💜
I'm visiting Sanibel island this week I just wanted to know what beach at Sanibel was the best for shells? And also what beach was this video filmed on because that beach seems like it had a load of shells
Sorry for the late reply. I was away from UA-cam for a while. This was around a mile west of Lighthouse beach. It is one of my favorite stretches of beach for shells around there, but it isn't like this all the time, this was just simply lucky timing.
Wow! I am living vicariously through you as you find these shells! What beach were you on, please share.
Thank you! I was about 2 miles west off lighthouse beach on Sanibel island in Florida
Omg i love them all i have some many shells but i want more lol
You should leave a few for other people
I love.ilove..😍🥰🤩🤩🤩❤️🐚💦🐚💦
What do you do with all of them?
Wow you got an incredible gold mine there!!! 🐳
Its been almost two years and I still have a hard time processing what happened that night. Glad I had my camera or no one would believe me🤣
I'm glad you found a Junonia! That's superb!!
Thank you! I was ecstatic!
WoooooooooooooooooW
Oohhh MAN I would have been in heaven seeing all of those shells ! I went a month ago and I swear I felt the beach had been raped bc I found nothing LITERALLY besides broken shells. Also I have a big hermit crab needing a new shell to inhabit but no such luck !😤. Ur very lucky and I’m sure diligent to ur searching. 🥰
I can’t begin to tell you how envious I am right now! I DONT want to be but I can’t help myself. I have lots of shells from Sanibel and bought ones. Been there 4 Times but don’t guess I’ll ever get to go again. My husband passed and my finances and health are not so good. I have never ever found anything like you have! Congratulations
I went to S. Carolina last year and found 3 big welk and conch shells, but they were broken in multiple areas, but i took them anyway. Ive been giving them their shapes back using resin! It looks pretty cool. Im getting better at it. I hope to find more this july in florida to work with!
Sell stories, I have never been truly shelling before. I live an Louisiana now and would love to take a small time out from life to go do this. Do you give tours/excursions?
Epic
What kind of light do you use for night shelling?
I usually use a headlamp. The one i had used before was a Petzl tikka 200 lumens headlamp, but I had recently gotten a newer and much better headlight, the Petzl swift RL. However, for this particular video I used a LED camera light.
there are so many shells that you mist what time did you go to the beach
There were many shells I left behind on purpose. I don't need them all! I went at 4 in the morning.
It sure pays to go before anyone gets there! Wow!
Yes, especially after a storm like that. Needless to say I've had days when I was the only one at the beach at night and still didn't find anything though.
LOVE THIS VIDEO!
Omg ! Wow 😯
I love watching your videos. We only get down there once a year 😢but watching these takes me right back! I only wish we never had to leave!! Plus I’m learning more about how to find the good shells when we come back!!
What beach were you at? Beautiful shells 🐚
I was about 2 miles west of lighthouse beach.
Your bag must’ve been heavy
Sure was!
OMG! I would go completely insane and pick up everything! Love this!
Just wow..Every nice shell I find is inhabited by a hermit crab >< Good ol Gulf
Nice shells, barely have any beaches in the UK well at least in my area, there's loads in south end and all that! Used to have a collection of shells but I can't find them
OMG! You found so many beautiful shells. I was down in October and I searched and searched for a banded tulip but only found shards...BOO...that orange one is beautiful!
I actually think that's a juvenile Milk Conch, not Queen - still and excellent and rare find for that area!
Thanks! Yeah I realized it wasn't a queen conch soon after publishing the video, that's why I said in the pinned comment it wasn't really a queen conch.
What's is really nice is when you find the center of a sharks eye
I've been psyching myself up getting ready for our trip to Sanibel next month and found your videos. So fun! We love shelling there. Just out of curiosity, what do you do with the shells that you find? I love collecting them but then they just sit in boxes in my attic lol. We have one type letter tray hanging on the wall that holds some of our smaller finds, but I have soooo many more! :)
Thank you so much! I have made a video on this here: ua-cam.com/video/30Pss5k00Rg/v-deo.html Though it is a little old by now. I am planning on getting some new shelves in for my more recent big shells, and most of my small ones sit in containers or glass jars. Thanks for watching :)
I WOULD GO ABSOLUTELY CRAZY IF THAT WERE ME!!!!!
Wow congrats. A broken junonia is better than no junonia. This is your best walk yet. You found so many of the good rare stuff. Awesome. Do you live on Sanibel? I really want to go back soon and go shelling again plus there's so much beauty on that island.
Thank you! This was probably my best day shelling of my life! No I sadly don't live anywhere near Sanibel, but usually come down here every year. I agree, Sanibel is awesome! Hope to come back there next year.
@@shellstories I might go again soon. I live in Florida. But Sanibel is 3 hours from me.
I love these videos but why don't you put you're findings in a back pack or something... Kinda frustrating .
I do! Just I don't show it on video.
Please give me some lightning whelks 🥺🥺 🥺🥺 🥺
How very restful to watch you. You are so fortunate to find any of these beautiful treasures. Nothing of the sort here in Toronto. I envy you.
I would be so happy to just find one of those.
Thank you :) Yes, that was a very very lucky shelling day!!
OMG. I could not believe how many shells and how beautiful they all were. Was this in the winter or summer ? Awesome haul
Thank you! This was filmed in the winter, December 24th 2019 to be exact. A very nice start to Christmas Eve :)
Awesome finds! 🐚 Great video; wish I was there! 😎🌴
This is absolutely amazing!
Great job ! What side of the island? Any landmarks I’d recognize? I’d love to try this spot you had a great haul
About two miles west of the Sanibel lighthouse!
Not sure if they still do this, but they used to put your name in the local paper if you found a junonia. That's how rare it is to find one.
Yes they are so rare. I think they still do put you in the paper for finding one, but I don't know if that applies for broken ones.
Wow wow wow!! I have goosebumps those shells are so amazing! What time did you go out hunting for these shells?
Thank you! I went at around 4 AM ish.
Leave some for children to find. Beach combing for shells as a child is one of my fondest memories on the west coast. Now I hardly ever se shells. only a few broken ones. It makes me sad for the children.
I am pretty picky with my shells, so I generally leave a lot. Also, later that day I ended up recycling some of the shells I found back to the beach because I can't keep them all!
Do you use your phone or a camera for filming?
@@elainelin1 Sorry for the late reply but I use my Panasonic FZ80 for filming and photos on the beach (it's a delicate camera, have to be careful with sand) and my GoPro generally when I go in the water as to not get my other camera wet. A phone is perfectly fine too though :)
Whoa! Nice finds!! I like how you put the words on the screen so we can hear the sounds of the Gulf.
Thanks for the support!
I love shelling
Me too :)
Beautiful thank you
I have a question for anyone out there👋
I have always gone out scouring the beach for shells but pretty much without a clue of what to look for or why....just liked the colors or shapes....my question is can someone direct me to a good book source to have with me whenever i do go out in the future so that i can have for a reference guide as to what is what??? Otherwise im going to be like THE LITTLE MERMAID and be like this is a whatchamacallit and start combing my hair with forks! Thanks y'all...by the way i am in california and go mostly to the southern areas cuz its warmer
One of my favorite books is the Sanibel Kaleidoscope by Harlan E. Wittkopf. It has a lot of good shelling tips and is great for identifying them too! Hope this helps.
@@shellstories thanks so much! Im gunna go on the hunt for it now lol! Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing
@@soniacortez4135 The Shell Museum and Education Foundation has an app for identifying shells. Take a photo of the shell and get instant identification. It is a paid app - $1.99
@@ceedeebeez1 thanks so much thats awesome!
Amazing so many beautiful shells I love it
Thank you!
Wow awesome finds! Congrats on that Junonia - sharp eye!
Thank you :)
So many whells!
I’ve never seen that many shells in one place, all beautiful.
Thanks!
Don’t you ever get bit up by bugs when shelling super early or late at night
Late at night there is a lot of bugs, which is why I don't usually go shelling then, but early in the morning, at least in my experience, I don't get bit usually.
Shell Stories your lucky I know Sanibel has slot of bugs my two sisters get bit very badly
@@merriezahra8747 don't wear any perfume or use any perfume scented soap.. it makes a huge difference
have you tried shelling at super low tide
Yes I have, this video was filmed at super low tide :)
What light are you using to find the shells? It seems perfect.
Thank you for your feedback. I used the Neewer SL-12 which is a camera light. It works pretty well but it sometimes overexposes things when showing shells up close (although that's just the nature of night shelling + videoing, super up close things with any light won't get in focus perfectly every time).
@@shellstories Thank you for your response. I was thinking you were using a body light or flashlight. Great video!
so cool!
Love it
Awesome finds! Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you!
Congrats on the whelk fest and the junonia♥️
Thank you so much for the support :)
WOW!🤩
Wow!!!
Storms + low tide = lots of shells!!
I gave it a thumbs down due to the greed.
Awesome finds!! About two weeks after this was filmed I was about an hour north and hit a jackpot of finds after a big storm, whelks everywhere too! Love this video
Please do more! :)