​​Do you have to go to the beach to find shells? I will show you where I found a bucket of shells!

[@sherrydonoghue2337]

I love the way you say “ Let’s go to the beach”, so you threw me when you said, “Let’s go to the marsh”.

[@SWFBeachLife]

😉 I had to mix it up a little!

[@FiannaThornton74]

This is sooo fun. Any treasure hunting is awesome. I would watch you pick up driveway pebbles honestly.

[@pennywebb867]

😂😂😂 Agree

[@annettenepple449]

Same

[@annettenepple449]

I loved watching this. Hunting anything nature is fun.

[@SWFBeachLife]

🤣 I actually thought of doing a parody of myself food shopping or something.

[@FiannaThornton74]

@@SWFBeachLife do it! 😁

[@cheriecollins4905]

Great video on a new Shelling adventure. I’ve lived in Florida my entire life and never thought about alligators in freshwater until November 2020. Since then,I stay far away from the boat docks And waters edge. If there is a raised platform to stand on, I’ll look in the water from there. Every time my son goes fishing, he brings me home, apples snails, and ram head shells. I’m going to make him watch this video so he can see the long pointy ones that you found.

[@Shelviliger]

I have a confession.😞 I took shells from my back yard when I couldn't make it to the beach. I was embarrassed until I saw your land shelling video today. Thanks for sharing without shame!😊

[@SWFBeachLife]

There is zero shame looking for shells. I even admire the ones in my neighbors yards on my morning walk!

[@ConnieTurner-x6x]

I’m 73 years old but still love to learn. Thanks for taking us on your adventure. Love seeing all the treasures. Thanks again.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I'm not going to say how old I am, but I love to learn too! Life is an adventure and I hope I never stop wanting to know more!

[@pennywebb867]

I can always count on you to teach me something new! This was an amazing journey! And the finished shell bowl was magnificent. If i were to go to that marsh in non-winter months, i would wear tall boots, long pants tucked in, shirt sleeves, hat, and bug spray. One time I hiked through some marshy fields in shorts and hiking boots, sleeveless top; i was bird watching. Saw green heron, great blue heron, snowy egret, wood ducks (they are lovely), all kinds of warblers, indigo bunting (a bucket list bird for me), rales, gold finches, and more. I returned to my hotel room, bathed and ordered room service. Drying off I found ticks in places you never want to have ticks! So i learned my lesson. I now dress covering everything i can, then spray my entire body with bug spray. Then i go out and have fun. Bird watching is my wheelhouse but i will now add shells to my collecting! All thanks to you, Sharmon!! It's exciting watching you get excited.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I did see a little blue heron when I was there, but it wasn't a great shot so the bird didn't make it in the video. It would be a great place for birdwatching. I didn't walk through any tall grasses, but I didn't think to protect myself from ticks. AHHHHH! I actually didn't even need bug spray but I'll dress in long pants and long sleeves next time just in case!

[@TerryChilders-sv7he]

I think this is the first time I've seen a video here. I went a couple of years ago. Got a bucket full of the various types. They clean up and display nice.

[@kathleenstraube5356]

I’ve been collecting apple snails also. My go to is Venetian Garden in Leesburg. Apparently, with the help of your knowledge I’ve learned most of the snails are the large invasive type. I’ve met people who collect them to make wind chimes. I’m impressed how smooth the interior compartment housing the snail is. Makes perfect sense. I coat clear fingernail polish on the shell and stick an air plant in it. Looks so pretty.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I’m currently bleaching the ones I decided to keep for my collection. I tested it on a few and they came out fabulous!!!

[@LeahStroup753]

Nice side quest! Brings back memories of the Florida Master Naturalist Program! Keep surprising us. I love it.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Recycling at its best! Tides were crummy and had been wanting to visit. I still have yet to find a natural Florida apple snail!

[@bonnerdebbie]

That was very interesting Sharmon, thank you! Have an awesome week!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you! I hope you have an awesome week too!

[@jocelia4622]

Hello. Good Evening 😊😊Happy Shelling Sunday 😊😊Happy Mother's Day 😊😊

[@SWFBeachLife]

Happy Mother's Day to you too!

[@jocelia4622]

@@SWFBeachLife Thank You 🤗🤗

[@jasonandstephaniewise5068]

I love the photography I’m a photographer myself and I really enjoyed those and learning about the birds. I had to put my photography on hold due to my heart. I have to get my heart stronger

[@SWFBeachLife]

Karen is an amazing photographer. I can't imagine how hard it must be to first find the birds, then to photograph them at such a high magnification. I'm lucky to know such talented people! I hope you continue to recover and get your heart stronger! 💪🏻

[@ilonamollema6467]

Dear Sharmon, That was quite a different experience. To be honest, I'm more a sea girl than a marsh girl. We have plenty of marshes in the Netherlands, but there are no shells like you've found. And thank goodness we've not to worry for snappy alligators. 😅 I really love those rams horns snails. They look a lot like the ammonite fossils. And the apple snails, well, they are to brown and a bit boring to my liking. But the nacre on the clams is stunning! All in all quite a different shelling! But I get your enthusiasm! Can't wait what you will post on Patreon! I hope you have a wonderful week, filled with happiness and joy! Sending you lots of love and hugs from the Netherlands, xoxo ❤, Ilona

[@SWFBeachLife]

There was a "something-nite" word that I kept thinking of when I was picking up those rams horn snails - ammonite is the word I should have been thinking of. It was such a neat surprise to find them and those really shiny mussels. I agree - I'm more of a beach girl, but this was a very cool experience. Someone else gave me a spot that I might be able to find some other neat fresh water shells. It's all about new experiences.....and shells ❤️🐚

[@maggiespehr2590]

That was fun!!! I really liked seeing something totally different! I had no idea there were that many freshwater shells! They are really pretty! ❤

[@SWFBeachLife]

They really are. It was so fun to hunt for something different.

[@Wentletrap213]

You’ve inspired me to clean my land snail shells.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I didn't share this widely, but I have went and dipped my apple snails in 100% bleach. THEY ARE GORGEOUS!!! I would test anything that is delicate, but the apple snail can tolerate bleach and they are beautiful once bleached.

[@nancybraswell104]

Gorgeous shells!!! ❤❤❤

[@chrisshelton3504]

During the portion when you were talking about a clam shell that you didn’t like and wouldn’t collect, it actually was the invasive asiatic clam. I heard you refer to the other “clams” correctly as mussels, which reproduce differently from clams in that they release their larvae to parasitize the gills of fish or other aquatic organisms before they drop off to mature. I used to work for the Missouri Department of Conservation and have a large collection of freshwater mussels.

[@SWFBeachLife]

That must have been a fascinating job. I had to re-record some of the audio as I was calling the mussels - clams 😳 I was shocked to read how many fresh water invasive creatures there are out there, other than apple snails. Makes sense since it's warm and pretty much anything can survive here. I didn't know that mussel larvae parasitize on gills of fish. I just read an article this morning about an area in the NE Atlantic that recycles oyster shells. Baby oysters are attracted to the adult shells, so they are collected and reused to try to build up oyster beds. Mother Nature is so awesome.

[@nacastanowling3573]

You discovered one of my favorite places to explore when the beach isn’t an option!! Fun to see you experiencing land shells 😊

[@SWFBeachLife]

Oh they were great fun - I'll definitely be back!

[@cindyhalford8758]

Just now caught your marsh shelling. Came to Ft.Meyers 4 wks ago and brought home a backpack full of shells. I live in the middle of Tx on 40 acres with a 1acre pond and there are a ton of clam shells and yes they are on my porch

[@SWFBeachLife]

LOL! The shells come to you!

[@beckygruening1000]

How fun! Thanks for taking us with you! ♥️

[@SWFBeachLife]

You are so welcome! Thank you for watching!

[@elizabethpaints]

Wow this was episode was so cool! Going into a new environment for new shells took shell hunting to a whole new level for me. Of course there are 'land' shells! And the variety is fascinating! Especially learning about the differences in the shell anatomy or structure of those different apple snails. Loved your talk about the Snail Kite. Can't believe how fast their beaks changed to their new prey. Wonderful video!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you so much! I learned a bunch from my Florida Master Naturalist Classes and I swear I learn one thing and it makes me ask 10 more questions. I love living here and sharing all the wonderful things I'm learning about Florida!

[@denisem6754]

I love to collect all sorts of things when I’m out walking, great video this week on looking for shells in places other than the beach.

[@angelasurratt5908]

Love that you changed it up a little! Very cool!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you!

[@tammyc1812]

I was given some rams horn snail shells, but had no idea what they were called. Thank you for identifying them for me

[@SWFBeachLife]

You betcha! Thanks for watching!

[@Natalieleu]

That was very interesting, I had no idea you could collect shells at a marsh. And they're such beautiful shells.

[@janiebennett5645]

Oh!!! Let's go to the Swamp!! Well, all right Shar! I'm in for anything new and adventurous! Fun with a hint of danger... I like it. Educational too. Lots of pluses on your videos and this is one that didn't disappoint!! Thank you for taking me along on this trip, as well. See you next Sunday my Shelling friend. ♥🐌🦎

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thanks for coming to the swamp with me!

[@prairiesmokeliederman1284]

Loved it!

[@lizblameuser7552]

What a wonderful learning experience, you always make things so fun no matter where you wind up! I was holding my breath through the whole video looking out for snakes! You’re a brave girl..❤❤❤

[@SWFBeachLife]

I wasn't as worried about snakes as I was the gators. I'm going to get myself a good walking stick for my next trip!

[@archanasylaja1115]

I have only seen shells on the beach.. 🐚🌊 But I have seen tiny shells near my house. But I didn't know we can find shells from these types of places too!🙂 I love this video.😊

[@SWFBeachLife]

I'm glad I could help you find some shells!!!

[@susanbarkley7357]

Fabulous video. Two sweet ladies told us about Harns Marsh during a shelling excursion to the 10K. We only picked up apples and rams horns. Now I’m excited to go back for the other types of feels!

[@SWFBeachLife]

I think Harns Marsh is a right of passage for shellers 😂 We all have to go at least once. I'm telling you, those thicker mussels are so fun! I can't wait to see what happens when I dip them in acid!

[@jolynnburns4306]

That was a fun adventure!!! It was making me nervous with you by the water! LOL I was glad no hungry alligators popped out or snakes. Im so scared of snakes. You? Love the shells! Have a good week. See you Sunday! XOXO

[@SWFBeachLife]

I actually like snakes! We have a black rat snake in my yard and my kittens go bananas when they see it. I don't necessarily want one as a pet or anything but they don't scare me. I was happy to not meet any - LOL! The only snake that's been in one of my videos was on the beach!

[@cazee100]

Well that was different. I have to say that there is no way on Gods green earth you would get me within 20 miles of inland waters in Florida: nope, neigh, nada ain’t ever gonna happen. Too many teeth for my liking thank you 🙀Lovely shells though. The curly ones are a bit like an ammonite fossil. We get lots of those where I live as we are part of the dinosaur coast. Loved the nacre covered shells too. Hugs and please stay away from the nice cuddly alligators!! Stay safe xx

[@SWFBeachLife]

Smart cookie. I was so nervous the first 30 minutes or so, but then I started to relax a bit. I was just aware of my surroundings the entire time I was there. I am dying to try acid on those mussels!

[@cazee100]

I’ve heard garlic butter tastes better😹😹😹xx

[@SWFBeachLife]

@@cazee100 🤣 True, but garlic butter won’t make them as shiny as I want 😁

[@janetdunn8220]

Okay, my heart did some stopping when you got near water. I am more ocean than marsh but did learn a great deal. Thanks the time and pictures, and loved the white shells done in bleach. Happy Mother's Day, and have a great week too.❣️🦋❣️🐚🐚🐚🌊🌅🥰

[@SWFBeachLife]

Happy Mother's Day to you too and thank you so much for watching!

[@karenrublesmith6186]

How fun!!! Thanks so much for sharing this!

[@SWFBeachLife]

You are so welcome!

[@fredamoore1743]

Hi Sharmon! I am late watching tonight but hope you had a wonderful Mothers Day!! I loved tonight's video. When I subscribed for years to Laura Catherine on Virtual Shelling, I would get treasure boxes monthly of shells. I have 4 of the big Apple Snails from her as she lived in a reserve that looked much like this one. There was even an alligator in the water when she filmed. Scarey and snakes are even more scary but this was very interesting! Like one of the other subscriber said, I could watch you collect anything and enjoy it!! I told you before, you are better than therapy girl!! Have a great week.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I referred to Laura's video to try to figure where the heck this place was - LOL! I wish I had been able to see the snail kites, but at least I finally got to see this place. It really was super fun!

[@sandybabb8313]

I think the long pointed snail shell might be a rabbit snail. Those rams horn snails are so cool, never seen one before. You have inspired me on my next kayak trip yo see how many fresh water shell types I can find. Love your channel!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you and happy kayaking!

[@lesliel9791]

i love the rams horn snails....they are cool!

[@SWFBeachLife]

SO cool!! What a fabulous surprise they were!

[@kokoboo2654]

The mussel shells make beautiful wind-chimes, a small succulent would look cute in the curly shells, shells good , fire ants not so good 😐, birds are beautiful they eat well 😊, all the shells you collected are fascinating and beautiful, wow those 2 experimental mussel shells turned out gorgeous! Great finds and great job!! ❤❤

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@kokoboo2654]

Your very much welcome, thank you for the knowledge you share on the shells and what to look and watch for 🦋...happy Mothers day also ⚘️

[@SWFBeachLife]

@@kokoboo2654 Happy Mother’s Day to you too!

[@FloridaBeachWalks]

Nice! Some type of land ramshorn snail that circular one. I have a friend near your area that collects too in marshy areas. Happy shelling! Oh and awesome bird photos!!

[@pennywebb867]

Agree about the bird photography. It takes real skill and a humongous about of time spent waiting to get such beautiful shots.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Karen is the first lady I thought of when I knew I was going to do this video.

[@maureengulat6331]

Very interesting! Thank you!

[@deedorothypapineau6920]

Some of the birds you thought were turkey vultures were not. They flew too fast. Vultures soar and are awkward near the ground. They have great eye sight but even better sense of smell. Yup, they can smell dead animals from a great distance. I loved the land snails and the muscles. It would be interesting to try making buttons with them.

[@lisaspencer2215]

I love Harns Marsh! The curly shell is called a Rams Horn

[@SWFBeachLife]

I loved it there too!

[@yomama8873]

Very interesting glad you had a great time 🤩🤩🤩💖💖

[@SWFBeachLife]

💜

[@donnahatfield7601]

I stay on a fresh water lake in S Central Florida 4 months a year. Some of the residents there use the Apple Snails and make wind chimes out of them. Interesting video. Some of the shells I havnt seen. I will have to start looking a little closer….

[@debbiejones6265]

That is so cool. I had someone gift me a jar of those types of snails. No idea what type. I thought apple snails but not sure. The mussels were amazing. Wow.

[@laurathomas9904]

There's a woman on Etsy that collects and paints the apple snails with gorgeous intricate patterns

[@SWFBeachLife]

That's probably my friend Bree from Beach Girl Studios. She is an AMAZING artist!

[@maryswanson9982]

Have you ever tried to clean and then wipe your shells with Armor All? You’ll get a nice shine and protect the shell.

[@SWFBeachLife]

No I haven't tried Armor All. Good to know though!

[@deborahshannon9250]

The long spiral shell is a Hercules Club whelk. It's rare to find them in Florida, but they are there. More commonly found in Australia.

[@SWFBeachLife]

The Hercules Club whelk is a sea snail and I was looking at a fresh water marsh so that couldn't be it. They do look similar though!

[@babs629]

First: Happy Mother's Day! And, What a wonderful surprise this marsh episode was! Now I am wondering if that snail shell that looks like an auger is a type of "trumpet snail"? I have had teeny tiny ones in my aquariums, but I have never seen them that big before. Thank You for another fun video!

[@SWFBeachLife]

I've seen that term (trumpet) pop-up when I'm searing some of these snails. I think maybe some of those little ones are "trumpet" snails!

[@trenttan3779]

This is interesting! Never knew fresh water shells could be so neat! You're going to make this place famous! lol Happy Mother's Day, by the way!

[@SWFBeachLife]

If I make it famous, I hope I can make it clean too!

[@luannski6895]

One of the other shelling shows showed them at the dump spot for Palm Beach Beach sifters machines. She found some great shells. Might be a fun show for you too.

[@alcyneidlinger7531]

Love this.thanks.

[@JulieMarshall-fl3bi]

I found apple snail shells a couple years ago in the Prairie Pine Preserve. Had to walk along the trail a little ways, but they were everywhere. However, beware the fire ants.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Fire ants are indeed nasty business!

[@susie5710]

Thanks. Those are pretty cool. I found some in a drainage ditch area when I visited Ft Lauderdale area. Nice to know what they are.

[@geraldinesera8915]

Delightful posting....

[@wilsonsk11]

I have been to Harns Marsh twice collecting shells! Great place. Never saw a gator there.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Good to know! I feel very comfortable over at the slough, however being near fresh water here in FL keeps me on my toes!

[@wilsonsk11]

@@SWFBeachLife oh yes I am most certainly on my toes🐊. By the way I have a shell scooper and took that there so I could stand further away from the water and get the shells.

[@carrieeasley3995]

This is so interesting! Now, I may be able to find some shells. I did find some of those clam shell in an old ravine on my property. I really need to go hunting around our ponds. I just never realized there were so many types of freshwater snails. I’ll have to look up what species are in Texas.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Let me know if you end up finding any shells!!

[@amandabyrd9349]

Fun take on your usual beach walk! Freshwater aquarium keeper here. I was sad to see how pervasive the apple and mystery snails have become. As soon as I saw the striped gastropod shell that you showed toward the beginning and said you didn’t know what it was, I was like, hmmm-wouldn’t be surprised if that was a ram’s horn family member. Et voila! Lol! Wish I had an idea of the more cerith-looking ones. Womp womp.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I recently read an article where the apple snails are start to be an issue in Louisiana too. The problem with those buggers is they have gills and lungs so they are pretty hardy. At least we have hungry snail kites and limpkins. I swear - everything can live/grow in Florida!

[@terryhopeful]

I did not expect to like those freshwater snails -- but they were fun! We do have mussel shells up in Wisconsin , but the only time I found them was during a drought when the water table was very low . . . at a boat put in on the Wolf River. Then I found a brochure on the types at a local nature center. who knew?!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Right?! There are just so many things to love about Florida!!

[@ittybittykittymama7582]

Sorry I'm late tonight, dearest Beach, er, Marsh Angel! It has been a long day! Darling, even you aren't going to get me excited over apple snails! We native Floridians absolutely hate the invasive ones! Oh, thatseren and beautiful place is how Florida looked when I was a child, before it became so over-developed! I recall how I once walked for miles alone down Ft. Myers Beach (I was nine) and I can also remember when the islands you visit so easily today were only accessible by boat! Those freshwater clams and assorted snails were surely somebody's breakfast, possibly a group of otters. You may tell they're around by finding their smooth slides where they enter the water. Otters are always looking for fun! Sharmon, I'd be a lot less concerned about 'gators than water moccasins! They don't warn you like 'gators do! If you hear a hiss, you'd do best to freeze, then back away very slowly. I was told growing up that the invasive apple snails were brought to Florida from South America as aquarium algae cleaners in the 1950s. If I remember rightly, the invaders were set free because they competed with the tank's fish for food and they reproduced like crazy! I've seen their eggs by the thousands on dock posts! We used to crush the big ones with a rock and use their bodies for fish bait! Fish love them! Largemouth bass will eat the smaller ones. I saw a kite once when I lived in Pensacola, flying over the Perdido River Swamp after Hurricane Frederic back in 1979. I figured he had been blown up on the storm winds. I hope he followed the coast home to the Everglades. Now, that is a wild and beautiful place! I am related to Chief Osceola (known in my family as "Uncle Billy"). I was always drawn to that area! Lovely place, wonderful people, the Seminoles and Miccosukees. I've spent so much time in similar areas as this amazing marsh, growing up along the Suwanee River. We have many beautiful freshwater clams in our clear, pure East Tennessee Clinch River, more than any other river system in the world. What I am enjoying so much is your sweet excitement at this new place to shell! You are so much fun when you find something new and wonderful! Thank you for taking me along mud bugging. It took me back to the days of my youth and will give me happy dreams tonight. Much love to you, Marsh Angel, and to all my beachy friends from The Lost Mermaid

[@pennywebb867]

TFS. I grew up on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Salisbury MD to be precise, and our youth was spent messing around on boats on the tidal Wicomico River, marsh land, and the ocean. It's country that gets into your blood. I always breathe easier when the horizon stretches on forever, in all directions. So I know what you're talking about.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I've been to Asseateague - it's beautiful!

[@SWFBeachLife]

We have so many invasive trees and bugs and animals here, but it was nice to finally see something positive come from an invasive creature. In our community we have to pay a tree service to come and remove the invasive trees or they would take over. The county spends who knows how much money keeping our native plants and animals in check. And the snails themselves are nasty and carry a lungworm, so all around not good unless they're being eaten by a snail kite! I have seen otters "out in the wild" here twice. Amazing creatures!

[@lindabowman4487]

Loved the different shells you found. However, I’ll stick to the beach !!!!!😂😂

[@SWFBeachLife]

Yes, I do prefer the beach but changing my surroundings once in a while just makes me appreciate the beach that much more!

[@joang.cavanna2046]

What a great trip! So much fun watching you discover all thoses shells. You might ask Wild Kyle or Paleo Chris, both youtubers, if they know the name of those shells. Not their speciality but they are both knowledgeable beyond that. They might also know someone who would know.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I've watched both!

[@gingermackeen5741]

Very interesting and educational! The first apple snail shell I found in FL was actually behind a restaurant in the parking lot in Ft Myers! Happy you had much better scenery finding yours! There are some here at AL Anderson Park on Lake Tarpon. Alligators there too! 😁 Thanks Sharmon. xxoo

[@SWFBeachLife]

LOL - yeah, it's one thing to hunt next to a lake and parking lot, quite another to be dumpster diving for shells! Not to say I wouldn't do it, just the scenery and the smells would likely not be anything I'd really want to document and share 🤣🤣🤣

[@melissajohnson2935]

The one that looks like a auger shell is called Melanoides tuberculata. Invasive from Asia. We have them in Louisiana too! Great video as always 😊

[@SWFBeachLife]

I read an article not too long ago that the apple snails are headed your way 😳 They were finding them in crawfish traps!

[@laurarebel7495]

In the great lakes we have zebra mussels and asian clams

[@SWFBeachLife]

UGH - Invasive little buggers are up there too.

[@saraclark8611]

That was FUN! Love learning and seeing new things! Very neat variety of colors and strips etc! The long one that looked like a turrid of some sort, could it be a rabbit snail? Maybe you identified it and I missed it, but anyway super cool adventure! Thank you!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Sara I need your luck! I didn't come across "rabbit" snails - apparently the fresh water snails are just as tough to ID as the sea snails 😂 I just looked them up - oh heck they are cute!

[@debblair5761]

Pretty cool shells. They almost look like a acorn or walnut

[@roadking99jokerst60]

That intro fighting conch is looking to kick butt. Stay safe. Noseeums on Sanibel were nasty last week.At 3:08, like a land Nautilus.

[@SWFBeachLife]

UGH, not looking forward to battling the noseeums! I'm thinking of an early morning Captiva trip this week 😃

[@Shelviliger]

I did crush them when cleaning my garden shells. It took days to clean and they weaker than seashells

[@queenbee3647]

Love your videos. Please keep an eye out for gators.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Always! 🐊

[@sherrimagness9040]

turkey vultures indicate prey by smell ..they are the clean up crew.. just a little nature tid bit ....love your Chanel!!!

[@SWFBeachLife]

FASCINATING!!! One of the only birds that finds prey by olfaction. Thank you!

[@LindaMoganOsborne-dm9cc]

Happy Mothers day

[@SWFBeachLife]

Happy Mother's Day to you too!

[@shellstories]

There are so many cool aquatic/terrestrial shells out there, awesome you gave them some spotlight. Have you seen the tree snails before? There's some nice populations out on Sanibel, I remember finding a shell out by the parking lot at Bowman's before, and another out on the east end too. Could be worth a look the next time you're out there. So many awesome finds!

[@SWFBeachLife]

On Sanibel - really? I thought I'd have to go all the way to the Everglades to look for those. Marco Island has some of them too. I have not seen any of the colorful tree snails - just the rosy wolf snail and a peanut snail or two. I will absolutely be on the lookout next time I'm over there!

[@marinajohansson8590]

Love this video ❤

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you!!

[@justjulee9135]

This was a very cool video! I'm not sure I would have the guts to go to marshes to look. I have a healthy fear of alligators and snakes lol. I enjoyed seeing what you found!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Yes, I have a healthy fear of anything that will kill me too! 🤣

[@nancycross2228]

Another shelleer has found Apple snails around golf courses and even the canals that are all over SW Florida.

[@pamelacanton8856]

Loved this video! I live in the mid-west. There are a lot of marshes in my county. I'm going to go to some marshes and see what kind of shells I can find.

[@SWFBeachLife]

That would be wild if you find some fresh water snails! I have a lake in my community and I don't have any snails there, but other places do seem to have them here.

[@userrobinmp]

The curly swirly shells I think are called rams horn. I have been looking for larger ones for years, if you put some on your site I will buy them❤

[@jantaylor2034]

I'm curious if there were a lot of no-see-ums and other bugs around the marsh...were they an issue? I was wondering the same thing about periostracum, and found information on the Missouri Dept. of Conservation...and yes, that's what it's called on land snails, too. I enjoyed finding out about the anhinga birds! We have a lot of cormorants here, and the two are related. Cormorants dive, but anhingas actually swim with their bodies under the water. They both have to get out of the water and dry their feathers or risk drowning. Fun change of pace tonight. Thank you!

[@SWFBeachLife]

I didn't experience any issues with bugs. And the mosquitos here love me! Noseems were not a problem either. It was a little warm and the sun was up, so that might have helped with the nasty bugs. I've seen an anhinga swim underneath me on an elevated boardwalk. It was so neat! They're also called snakebirds, but you probably already knew that 😃

[@jantaylor2034]

@@SWFBeachLife I'll definitely be prepared with your bug spray when I come down. Mosquitos love me, no matter where I am, and I've reacted badly to bites when I've been in other countries. (A pharmacist in Venice told me he might react the same way to mosquitoes from here where I live...they're all different, I guess.) There was one video you did a while back and the no-see-ums were really bad...I'd've gone "buggy!" 🤒🦟

[@moduleselect]

I have bleached the dark snails before and all that "dark rich color" comes off. I guess it is the same as a periostracum? They are blue and pastel underneath. They are very pretty. I have kept some of mine natural and some bleached.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I haven't had a chance yet, but I'm going to do some bleaching myself and see what happens. Some of those apple snails, especially the ones with blue are so pretty!

[@kokoskrib]

The curly shells look like French horns! Haha. You sure would get me near that water! Nope! No thanks! Glad you had fun though! 😊

[@roxiegs348]

1:03 right off the bat my thought was like, marsh? Gators?

[@SWFBeachLife]

I think that's a plastic bag that was in the water. The amount of trash was a bit of a bummer.

[@Shelviliger]

🐚🐚🐚🐚+🐌🐌🐌🐌=❤

[@SWFBeachLife]

I love your math!

[@sleepyfish2157]

I used to keep gaint ramshorn snails as pets well things got out of hands and i gave most of them away😊

[@SWFBeachLife]

I'm glad you gave them away and didn't just dump them outside! That's how we got our invasive snails here.

[@sleepyfish2157]

@@SWFBeachLife Don't worry about them getting into the wild 🤣I only gave them to one person and her water quality isn't the best so the eggs didn't even lasted a week

[@sleepyfish2157]

Also they're very slow at reproducing unlike apple snails and mystery snails they lays their eggs in every four or three months and its takes about one month for the eggs to hatch even then half of the eggs won't make it

[@SWFBeachLife]

@@sleepyfish2157 😂

[@Shelviliger]

Must admit....I was holding my breath every time you reached in! 🐍 And 🐊 in waiting??? Could you use a grabber or a long handled beach shell scooper?

[@SWFBeachLife]

I do have one of those longer stick grabbers. I asked the gentleman that had been there if he had seen any gators and he had not but believe me - I was quite careful!

[@Shelviliger]

@@SWFBeachLife I saw that! You used your shelling expertise to spot and quickly grab, just like on the ⛱️

[@sandeepettit696]

Great video ❤

[@SWFBeachLife]

Glad you enjoyed

[@renahays7988]

I have ramshorn snails in my aquarium ☺

[@SWFBeachLife]

That's likely how they ended up here too! The aquarium trade.

[@Shelviliger]

❓ When is the best time to catch land shells🐌? After the 🌧️ or when it's 🥵 outside? Is it like the the rules for shelling 🐚 seashells?

[@SWFBeachLife]

No rules! The shells are there when the birds are done with them and birds eat all day long 😃

[@monabale8263]

1:35; pausing to read the notices, i thought that last one stated "No Castaneting." "why that's odd. why would playing castanetes in a marsh be a problem?" will leave now...

[@SWFBeachLife]

I was castaneting the entire time! It messes with the audio, but when I wasn't picking up shells, I was busy clicking my little pieces of wood together 🤣

[@egar4767]

Im thinking some of those unidentified snails may be new species. You could name them after yourself. That would be cool.

[@SWFBeachLife]

OMG that would be awesome! The Sharmon-shell 🤣

[@carolledger8047]

It would be great without the alligators and poisonous snakes. LOL. I'll have to walk around the lakes up here in northern New York to see if I can find shells here. Thank you for taking us along on your fun adventure. 🥰

[@SWFBeachLife]

I'm telling you, those shiny mussels were awesome!

[@timmymendenhall1275]

Snakes, alligators noooooo not me although I love those apple snails tho

[@sleepyfish2157]

I think those tall snail at the end are called rabbit snail or elephant snail 🤔🤔

[@susanbarkley7357]

You’ll show us in a video how they look after they are all cleaned and shined up?

[@SWFBeachLife]

I have to film my shell collection so I'll be sure to show you how I decided to display them 😃

[@kathyjund7212]

Nature is truly amazing... how do the shells get up to where you were? Tide flooding? Thank you for sharing the "fresh" variety with us even though you had to work hard for it!

[@drdrew3]

There are many wading birds there such as heron and egret. They bring the shells from shallow muddy water to dry land where they eat them. Raccoons to the same. It’s a nature preserve so lots of animals there

[@SWFBeachLife]

The birds would drop them near the edge of the water once they were done eating the snails, so those shells can kind of show up anywhere near fresh water where the snail kites hunt.

[@lisapecchenino278]

That long one looks like a spindle shell from Australia

[@juliannaschroeder6857]

Be advised that in many states, including apparently FL, the collection, harvesting, and possession of freshwater mussels (unionids; what you're calling clams) is regulated by conservation authorities. Yes, even just the shells. It's kind of like owning feathers. Also, many unionids are declining, threatened, endangered, and possessing their shells could get you in trouble. Check out your state regulations re freshwater mussels. Finally, the "meh" clam with ridges is the invasive Asian clam.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thanks for the info! I know you need to check when you're collecting live specimens, but I couldn't find anything about collecting freshwater shells here in Lee County. All the endangered mussels I found were up in the panhandle, not down here. And many people have ID'd that invasive clam. Grrrr.

[@juliannaschroeder6857]

@@SWFBeachLife I live in Missouri, and the Ozarks, with its many separate stream systems, is a major center of unionid diversity. We have ca. 70 spp. in the state. Ca. 42% of them (29 spp.) are state species of conservation concern (endangered, threatened, or otherwise declining; some are federally endangered). Meanwhile, other species are abundant and legal for harvesting (live) for use as bait or as food, so they're covered under the state's fishing regulations, requiring a fishing license and with a daily bag limit, measured by numbers of shells (with shell halves counting as "one" mussel). Many different unionid species can occur in the same stream system, so it's critical for people to be able to distinguish between the declining spp. and the ones you can harvest. It's really challenging to ID the various species, IMO. Here's more info on Missouri's unionids. mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/freshwater-mussels

[@SWFBeachLife]

@@juliannaschroeder6857 It never even occurred to me that these critters are all over the country with varying levels of success. Fascinating! Thank you so much for sharing all this great info!

[@Merlijnvv]

at 9:10 in the shop are shells that are found alive and killed, but also the same as you just found there yourself: fresh dead specimens with the operculum still present. Dealers in India will find operculums of a species, and when you buy from them you get a generic operculum from the big stash. It's not a one-way street, it's more like an intersection. By the way, you can polish the thicker mussels, drill a hole in it and use a tiny carabiner clip through the hole... and you have an amulet. Oil it several times with mineral oil and it will shine like silver. There are some really nice small electrical hand tools out there, with multiple poish heads you can use. Carabiner clips come in dark bronze colour, chrome, pink chrome, and yellow copper i believe. about 18 mm total length including the eye. I have made some amulets myself, and drilling/polishing at the right spot needs some practice. The thicker the shell the easier the polishiing. Personally I have only used the narutal shell shape, but you can make it any shape you like as far as the shell permits.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Oh shaping the shell would be neat! I am so mesmerized by all that nacre! I did try putting a mussel in acid and I don't like the results. I figure I'll mess around with the ones I have until I eventually find something I'd like to make with them. Love the amulet idea!

[@patifagan6774]

I really enjoyed this different video. Really beautiful

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@sgbarton6308]

Love your videos!! I’ve been to Harn’s Marsh twice. First time alone. Saw 1 alligator & 1 snake & pretty sure 1 drug deal taking place🤷‍♀️. Second time, a friend was with me. Both times, I found lots of shells, mainly near the water. I had an expandable metal net tool, which helped a lot. Had dinner that evening with some local friends. They were shocked that I dared to even go there!! Told me that is a very high crime area & to never go there again! & NEVER!! alone! (Lehigh) You live kind of ‘local’? What do you think??

[@SWFBeachLife]

This was my experience: I saw one local fishing. Chatted with him and he was super friendly. Saw the gentlemen with the camera, and he told me where to see the snail kites. Then there was a group of about 4-5 teenage boys fishing. I did not feel unsafe at any time. Clearly I wouldn't go at night, but during the day I see absolutely no reason to not go and enjoy the wildlife. It's always a good idea to be cautious, but personally I would go back again and would recommend it for anyone that wanted to see some birds and grab a few shells!