Thanks so much for sharing your truly shelltacular find, Lori! As they say, after a storm the sun always shines … and the shells wash ashore!
For those who may not know, we had an extremely rare “meteotsunami” during your recent visit a couple of weeks ago. (Not to be confused with a tsumani, a meteotsunami consists of large waves caused by air pressure disturbances and quick-moving storms, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.) Water levels jumped by nearly a foot and had many beachgoers scurrying out of the way!
Fortunately, the storm was short-lived and resulted in a bonanza of shelling finds. We’re so glad you were here to take advantage of it!
Greetings from chilly Minnesota!
We are back home after a week at Ocean’s Reach. I wanted to share my super finds that happened in the wee hours near the end of our visit. We were due to check out that morning, but I still decided to get up and go to the beach since a huge storm had occurred the day before. I didn’t have time to wash and clean them and share them with the office that morning, because we needed to get packed and to the airport. But attached are a couple of pictures of my amazing shell finds now that I have them home and cleaned up.
Wow! The lightning whelk measures in at a whopping 11 inches long. It is truly a beautiful shell. My best shelling yet after years of coming to Sanibel!
No matter what the weather or shelling results though, I always love my week at Ocean’s Reach.
Thanks and hope to see you next year!
