The Seashell Islands

After seven days of island life we are home once again.  We found our sanctuary in the Gulf of Mexico oil free.  The naturalists on the island believe there is only about a 10% chance that the loop currents will bring oil to this gulf shore, unless there is a hurricane.  I hope they are right.  For now anyway,  Sanibel's shores are pristine. 

 

Our days there were very peaceful, unhurried and unworried.  It's important, I think, to get away from life's daily trials and tribulations periodically.  Sanibel is not a posh venue, quite the contrary.  If you have read Anne Morrow Lindbergh's Gift From the Sea,then you may already have some concept of what life can be like on the island.  Gift From the Sea was written on Sanibel's sister island, Captiva.  If you have a mind to, I am sure you could stay pretty busy with activities but we find comfort in the simplicity of life on this island nature sanctuary. 

 

On the shore, my days begin around 6:30 am, just after sunup.  I love mornings on the beach, the sun's first blush and gentle breezes wafting off the ocean.  My husband and son, who stay up later than me, will be fast asleep for several more hours.  So I quietly find a pair of shorts, a t-shirt, flip flops, and slip out the back door.  Within minutes I'm on the beach and ready for a stroll along the shore.   

 

 

Among my companions each morning, White Ibis.  We seemed to fall into step, a communal rhythm, while foraging in the surf.  I sift through the sands for sea shells while they mine for their breakfasts. Unlike most islands, which are positioned north and south to the mainland, Sanibel is positioned east and west, and as you can see, captures an abundance of shells.  This is what makes Sanibel Island one of the world's top shelling locations.  There are shells everywhere, but in various places the contours of the shore cause shells to pile up several feet deep.  Thousands and thousands of them, mostly common shells.  But, with some patience, you can uncover the sought after shells in these piles.  

On my last morning on the island, at high tide, I found myself sifting through this large accumulation of shells.  As I did, the surf kept bringing new shells to me.  First a Lightening Welk, then a Florida Alphabet Cone, a Lettered Olive, a Fighting Conch, a perfect Lace Murex, and for the next two hours I stayed in this spot and the surf continued to deliver new treasures.  It really felt magical.  This was the first time I had ever found an Alphabet Cone in all the years I have shelled on Sanibel, and before the morning was over I found four of them in one spot. (I just read on the I Love Shelling blog that the live ones are poisonous, so I'm glad none of them were alive when they washed up.  I just discovered this blog, and love that it shows the shells on the shore as they find them and the majority of the photos were taken on Sanibel Island.)

 

Here's a sampler of some of my favorite finds of the week.
 

I also enjoyed the companionship of the Sandpipers on my walks, and though they were a bit skittish about my presence, they allowed me to stroll along beside them.  I like their vociferous banter but they may have been chiding me.

 

I had been observing Brown Pelicans fishing well offshore, several hundred feet or more, curiously accompanied by a Sea Gull or two.  One morning I witnessed the ritual carried out just a few feet from where I walked in the surf.  The Pelican would fly a few feet into the air, then dive and fill it's mouth with tiny fish.  The Gull would fly alongside and subsequently find himself in position to enjoy some of the fresh catch.  Perhaps the Pelican enjoyed the company, but in any case he or she didn't object to sharing.  

 

I rescued this sea star washed ashore during low tide and placed it in deeper water out of harm's way.  

At this time of year, sea turtles make landfall during the night to lay eggs.  We always stay at the same place on the west shore and during my morning sojourns I would very often encounter the turtle patrol making their rounds.  They survey for signs of new nests which are then staked, dated, and monitored until the baby turtles hatch.  As you can see from the sea turtle link, there is a lot of nesting activity on the west gulf; we saw many nests and one morning I found the signs of a hatch from the previous night.   

A few summers ago, I read Mary Alice Monroe's book Swimming Lessons.  She's a great story teller as well as a naturalist.  If you have an interest in life along the seashore and sea turtles in particular, you might very well enjoy this book. It's a great summer read and will transport  you to the shore.  The story takes place on the coast near Charleston, South Carolina.  I have found all Mary Alice Monroe's books to my liking and  Skyward is a personal favorite, which is about a rescue center for birds of prey.

Over the years we have enjoyed some of the varying cruises offered on the island.  This time we took a power boat cruise that completely circled the shores of both Sanibel and Captiva.  Just a short distance off shore we encountered several sea turtles and dolphin pods feeding.  When the sea is very calm, dead still, it is not unusual to see pods of dolphins feeding offshore.  But it was a bit choppy during our week and I saw them only once, but much to my delight during our wild ride on the Sanibel Thriller we saw multiple pods of Bottle-Nosed Dolphins who chased our boat and played in our wake.  We were told by the naturalists that this activity stresses the dolphins, but we had a difficult time believing it, as they seemed to be having a great time. 

 

 

After my morning walks, most days, you could find us right here on the beach under our umbrella, contemplating the universe.

 

 

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BAY SIDE:

The other side of the island, the bay side, is the most environmentally sensitive due to the wildlife it supports.  This is where you will find the mangrove stands, mud flats and grass and oyster beds.  We took a sunset tour of the estuaries of Tarpon Bay, which is part of the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge.  Manatees can be seen here grazing in meadows of sea grass, along with pods of young bottle-nose dolphins bobbing alongside their mothers.  During the evening, many of the wading birds found on the beaches can be seen roosting here on the small islands that dot Tarpon Bay.  Disconnected from the mainland they are safe from raccoons, bob cats and other predators.  We were fortunate to finally see one of the beautiful pink roseate spoonbills.  Not surprisingly,  birders from all over the world come here to observe more than 240 species.

 

 

 

Great Blue Herons

 

Snowy Egret
 
 

 

A perfectly peaceful end to a blissful day. 

“You cannot argue the case for saving any wilderness on the grounds of practicality alone. If this difficult saving is to be done, it will be because man is the creature who preserves things that stir him.” 

--Archie Carr

 

Comments

[sharon]

What a stunning and beautiful post! I felt like I was there too!

[Barbara]

What an amazing vacation! I can imagine how relaxing it must have been. Love all the wonderful photos and am now wishing I was relaxing on the beach!! Can't wait to see how this inspires your next collection!!

[pam]

Your shell finds were fantastic! I love to see all of those alphabet cones. Amazing. I must have been in the wrong places since i havent been finding any of these lately. Beautiful post and thank you so much for the mention.

[jackie]

What fun! I know you all had the most wonderful time at your favorite beach. Your pictures are amazing Catherine and the shells are incredible.
So happy you got the chance to relax and refresh your soul.

[Rella]

Dear friend, I feel as if I was with you on your early morning beach walk and it takes me away for a few moments from the drama here at the desk. I agree that early morning is stunning for solitary walks and the start of your day...with the sunset portion of the day held then for enjoying with your sweet man. I have always longed to visit that special beach of glorious shells and your collection this year is magical. Thank you for sharing and all the links you gave us.

Hugs xox Rella

[Becky]

Catherine,love this! Great photos. How nice to music and sounds of waves and gulls. I'm going to sit at my computer this weekend with a mug of my favorite sip so I can take my time perusing all the lovely links again. Thanks for the escape. Keep posting. -Becky

[Shelley Overholt]

I am glad that your sanctuary has been spared:) I had been wondering about it. Love all the pics of the area:)

[lorraine lewis]

this is so beautiful, truly a magical place to spend these summer days and what sweet treasures you found.

[Rella]

I come back to go on a little dreamtravel......each of the photos is so stunning I feel like I can take a mini vacation from the Desk of Drama.......sigh......thank you for this bliss.

xox Rella

[Sheri Zipp]

Sanibel is a fabulous place! I'm headed there in 5 weeks. Can't wait to get my feet back on that beach!