Tag Archives: Olive

The Lively Lighthouse

ThThunder

5-9-14wm

It was a lively and active Lighthouse Beach last evening. The tide was super low, which brought out a number of creatures, both in and out of the water.

5-9-13wm

We were on the hunt for whatever last night. Nothing in particular, really. We’ve just returned from a wedding in Indiana, so we were beyond anxious to get back to what makes us comfortable – the beach, the sand, the shells….the sea.

Ahhhhhhhh….

5-9-16wm

The mini shells were out in full force – Horse Conchs, Wentletraps, Drills, Cantharuses, tiny tiny Fighting Conchs and Bubbles. LOTS of Bubbles.

5-9-15wm

…and the number of live shells out and about were astounding. Little crabs were in just about every pull of the scoop. Live Coquinas were burrowing anywhere they could find a piece of wet sand, and there was a lot of that….and a lot of burrow spots.

5-9-5wm

These were Olive burrows, I believe. I’m not positive, but the reason I’m assuming is, they were everywhere – live Olives, that is. I must have counted forty-plus live Olives, struggling to make their ways back into the sand.

o6wm

o1wmGoing….


o2wmGoing…..

o3wmGoing….

o4wmUmmm, still going.

o5wmaaaand, almost gone….see the burrowing Coquina just below?

I stumbled upon this guy, also trying to get away from whatever took a couple of his arms.

5-9-11wm

The Cormorants were out too, drying off their wings.

5-9-8wm

COME AT ME, BRO

5-9-4wm

….and what has become an unfortunately common occurrence here in Southwest Florida, a hooked Pelican.

5-9-7wm

5-9-6wm

These little guys just don’t realize how painful a hook in the mouth can be, so with reckless abandon they grab fish from a fisherman and get hooked.

He struggled to get free, only to get himself more tangled in the line.

5-9-2wmBut this fisherman knew what to do and slowly and cautiously  help release the guy from the line.

5-9-1wmUnfortunately, he couldn’t remove the hook because the Pelican was chomping at him, but he was able to free him from the line and let him loose. The Pelican flew a short distance away and acted like nothing was wrong. Matter of fact, he stayed close to the pier, no doubt waiting for another fish to get caught.

Like I said, it was pretty lively at the Lighthouse.

Just a lazy Sunday at the beach….

4-7-1wm

When I die, I’d like my entrance into Heaven to be like the view going over the Sanibel Causeway. Because I can’t tell you how many times I’ve crossed onto that bridge and a feeling of peace overwhelms me. No matter what worries or stressors are in my life, there is something about that bridge and view that washes it all away.

4-7-8wm

…and once I set my seat down in the sand, drape it with my towel and lean back, I always take a deep breath of that salty air…a comforting, relaxing breath that says, “Ahhhhhhh, I’m here.”

And what a relaxing Sunday it was. The sun was bright and warm, the water was clear and active and the sea shells were popping. We settled into our spot and noticed shell piles everywhere. Not only that, but a real live shell carpet was in full effect (as you can see above to the left). I was stoked to get raking to see what we could find. I almost sent out a Tweet letting our fellow shellers know that the shell carpet was back, but wanted to check which shells were carpeting the sand before I did.

4-7-2wm

Unfortunately, the water wasn’t spitting out large numbers of keepers, but many of the “standards” I mentioned in my last post. Today, my poor feet feel like hamburger from walking all over them. But, the Scallops of all shapes and color were out en-masse, as well as a plethora of Olives and Augers. I spotted an Orange Rough Scallop and the hunt for orange ones was on. Queenie was doing her due diligence and snagged a detached Horse Conch egg case….

4-7-3wm

….as well as this prickly Sea Urchin. We’ve never found one of those here before. Very cool.

4-7-5wm2

She was pulling in Worm Shells and Lightning Whelks like there was no tomorrow.

4-7-9wm2

Like I said. Orange Scallops. These have become by new favorite, and we found quite a few. Look at the color of that Orange Rough Scallop in the middle! WOW!

4-7-10wm2

…and the Lightning Whelks of all shapes and sizes were everywhere.

4-7-11wm2

The Queen also snagged a nice piece of Junonia, a Shark’s Eye, some intact Dosinias, a huge Turkey Wing and yet another Gaudy Nautica/Colorful Moon Shell.

So not a bad Sunday. However, I’m paying for it with a nasty sunburn. Ouch! I guess that’s what I get for digging for treasure instead of reapplying sunscreen!

I’ll take it.