Looking for seashells at sunrise. Sanibel Island post Hurricane Milton.

[@666bbdoll]

Hi from Mississauga, Ontario. I enjoy my Sunday's on the beach with you. Over the years, friends and family have been to Florida and always ask me what kind of souvenir I want and I always say bring me a shell. Now, thanks to you, I know what shells I have been given over the years.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I love this! I'm so glad you can identify some Florida shells 🐚

[@LaurieHammerschmidt]

My husband and I are just leaving Florida but I wanted to stay thank you for you videos and education . Because of them we had a very successful shelling adventure and went home with clams, cockles, scalps, whelks, conches, murex, nutmegs, alphabets, shark eyes, angle wings, sand dollars, ceriths, turkey wings ,jingles, and one junonia. Plus so much more live sea stars, sand dollars and whelks. So thank you again.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Well you are a very good shell student! A junonia - that's wonderful! I'm so glad you came and got to experience SWFL for yourself. Videos are one thing, but do it for yourself is exceptional!

[@lindaweges8624]

I'm happy to see the lighthouse is getting the repairs it needed.Love the beach walk today too!😊

[@sandybrown7621]

I love the shells that show that they have repaired themselves. Shows how resilient nature can be

[@SWFBeachLife]

I keep some of the broken and repaired ones for that very reason!

[@lindaholder2222]

Thank you Sharmon for taking us with you❤😊 I would like to wish you HAPPY HOLIDAYS and Happy Shelling.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you! Happy Holidays to you too!

[@carmaela2689]

Yay! Seashell Sunday with Sharmon!

[@SWFBeachLife]

I hope you like the video!

[@carmaela2689]

@@SWFBeachLifeI always love your videos!

[@billrobbins5874]

Beautiful, appreciate!

[@brianaschino4903]

Haha I love your seashell interviews 😂😂

[@lorawilliams4380]

Thank you for having the names of the shells typed on the screen

[@SWFBeachLife]

First time I tried that - you are most welcome!

[@VickyA3308]

Thank you for your video on Lighthouse Beach in Sanibel. Thank you for teaching us about the various types of shells. I miss Sanibel and I miss shelling. Beach time is lovely and soothing for the soul. Thank you for sharing..

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@debblair5761]

Great shells as always. Beautiful beach too 😊.

[@janetknight9978]

You mentioned how you like finding shells that are just a little different from ordinary. Me too. It's so fun, as I get to know the shells well, to be delighted by them. Certainly keeps shelling always fresh and exciting. Nature is so amazing. P. S. I talk to my shells too!

[@SWFBeachLife]

I know there are so many more shells for me to discover. I have to start looking for the ones I don't recognize but the faithful "regulars" seem to always distract me 😅

[@janetknight9978]

Trying to identity the bivalves can be really difficult. My shell buddy and I could spend hours together studying our many books. Lots of bivalves on the east coast. Not so many gastropods. Fun though!

[@SWFBeachLife]

@ I have 2 books - the 2nd most helpful one is the Bivalves of Florida book. I wish there was just one massive one with all Florida shells. Dear Santa….😃

[@barbarahowell5438]

Hello from Vancouver Island, BC, Canada! Thank you for your beautiful seashore tutorial. I really appreciate the time you take to display the names of the shells. Florida rocks!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you for watching all the way from cold Canada! I have to agree - Florida does rock! (ay) 😘

[@seriously.....]

Hi Sharmon!! 2minutes that's crazy lol I've never been so early for anything lol awesome

[@SWFBeachLife]

LOL! There is a first time for everything!

[@kathyjund7212]

Still a FABULOIS ADVENTURE ON HURRICANE TORN SANIBEL, she keeps surviving IT ALL! So excited to see all the beach goodies and live creatures! That WENTLETRAP jar is filling up...lol Thank you for OUR WEEKLY BEACHINESS!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Those shells are small! I am going to need to be finding wentletraps for 20 years to fill that jar 🤣

[@nikoletastavropoulou5515]

How many beautiful shells 🐚 😊

[@denisem6754]

I love Lighthouse Beach and am so thankful for this week's dose of beach time! The shell haul is lovely as usual, thanks for always posting great beach content.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you so very much for watching!!! 🙏🏼

[@Gemturbo]

Back in May, Sanibel was the place we chose to recycle our shells as well. We found a family with small children and told them if they were having a difficult time finding shells, there was a special place they could look for some bigger shells. It made their day and our day as well. Thank you always for sharing your finds, knowledge and the beauty of the Gulf Coast. we had always been NC Outer Banks folks. You showed us a new place to find beauty and relaxation.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I love when people tell me they watch my videos with their kids or grandkids. I love thinking we're inspiring a new generation to take care of our planet. I'm so glad you were able to come here and experience Sanibel for yourself. It really is a special island.

[@marianfrances4959]

👍😎🇨🇦

[@amandaakagigglebug7]

I can't wait to come out there in Feb!! I watch you all the time and you make me wanna spend hours on the beach. ❤️

[@SWFBeachLife]

I hope you have fun planning your trip!

[@amandaakagigglebug7]

@SWFBeachLife Thanks. I'm not sure exactly what we are doing while out there for a week but Sanibel, Melbourne, and Fort Meyers beach are on the list. I just wish my cousin was coming along so I'd have someone to shell hunt with. 😞

[@Valerieknitterhands]

I love the hinged pen shells 🐚 bc they open up to a heart

[@jolynnburns4306]

Awesome treasures!! Cannot wait to see what kind of boots you wear. Hope you have a great week and see you Sunday! XOXO

[@SWFBeachLife]

So far they are working good!!!

[@miriammacdermot5601]

Hi Sharmon! Thanks again for sharing your beach time and treasures with all of us and for teaching us so many things. I have to say, that while I was smitten again with the egg cockle and the buttercup lucines, I have to say that I truly love both those beach bowls and the calico scallops. Truly...I can't imagine what it would be like to find each one of those amazing calico scallops on the beach. And each one is so different. Stunning. Have a wonderful week, Sharmon!

[@SWFBeachLife]

I hope I never tire of picking up the same shell over and over. Each time I still get excited to see what color I'm going to find on the other side. 🥰

[@schrellkauffman9303]

Love to watch your videos! Thanks 💕

[@sgmadams1969]

The Texas state shell is my very favorite

[@juliamaul7334]

I love Paper Figs!!! They are so delicate. The tiny shells are awesome. ❤❤❤🐚🐚🐚

[@ittybittykittymama7582]

Good evening, love! So good to go beach walking with you again! It's always fun when you're finding lots of shells, especially wentletraps! Would a fine mesh dip net help in finding those? You'd have to sort through the "coffee grounds" later, but the haul of shells could be worth it...?? Thanks for letting me tag along, dear Beach Angel! You make shelling even more fun than normal! Looking forward to receiving my t-shirt later this week! Much love to all! R 🐟🐠🐡🐚🪼

[@SWFBeachLife]

I am so glad to be back on Sanibel Island and I hope the video brings you joy! 🥰

[@bonnerdebbie]

Lovely walk on the beach , enjoyed your shell interviews. We had a stunning sunrise this morning, lots of pink. I was going to make some more shell Christmas trees, but time has gotten away from me with 8 birthdays in December and trying to make a special card for each, plus C-mas cards, I am running low on time and creative energy. I hope you have a wonderful week.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I'm so jealous of all your crafts! I hope they all come out amazing and. you have a wonderful week as well!

[@debbiejones6265]

So glad Sanibel is reopened. :) cool Egg Cockle. They are on my list. :) Love lightening whelks and Pear Whelks. So pretty. Pretty paper fig. And a pretty sunrise. That Giant atlantic cockle is so golden. So pretty. That callico scallop at 21/27 the pattern looked like doves taking flight. Love turkey wings. One of my shell groups used Banded tulips to make a Christmas tree. So cool. So relaxing to watch. :)

[@jasminecarriker8713]

Wonderful. Thank you.

[@paulettenewton3370]

Oh I can’t wait to get back to Sanibel ❤ thanks for the beach time

[@SWFBeachLife]

I’m so happy you enjoyed it!

[@yomama8873]

Beautiful collection fun trip thank you 🤩🤩🤩💖💖

[@SWFBeachLife]

💜 Thanks for tagging along!

[@cazee100]

Wentletraps yay! Hugs and stay safe xx

[@elisbethfinos6162]

Decorated my Xmas tree up here in Ontario Canada and counted my Marco beach treasures. 5 fancied up shells, 4 decorated sand dollars and crystal dolphins. Sigh..how I miss shelling. And how I love your videos❤️👍Thank you for them.

[@SWFBeachLife]

It’s a great reminder that even when you’re far away, the shells can make you happy! 🥰 I was happy to see my sea ornaments too!

[@lindasnyder8252]

Love your videos each week! Thank you! 🐚

[@SWFBeachLife]

I love making them! 🥰

[@alcyneidlinger7531]

Oh,you are funny..I take alot of images of flowers and I tell my husband I'm going to interview flowers.love your show.

[@LilyBurana-d9g]

Oh man, I love shell recyclers/shell angels! Before we left Naples last year, I left a dozen Fighting Conchs on the beach for the other kids at the hotel to "find." We still left with (literally) about 100 of them. (And yay for you joining us on Team Fightie! We're #1! We're #1!)

[@SWFBeachLife]

Yes, I am definitely TEAM FIGHTIE!! Now I feel the urge to make t-shirts with that on them - LOL!

[@LilyBurana-d9g]

@@SWFBeachLife We need limited-edition TEAM FIGHTIE beach combing hoodies for those cold low-tide mornings--with an extra big kangaroo pocket for shells lol!

[@SWFBeachLife]

@ It’s going on the to-do list!!

[@lesliel9791]

love the baby turkey wing

[@SWFBeachLife]

Wasn't it adorable? 🥹

[@mariejung73]

So lovely ❤

[@MommaG777]

I found a couple wentletraps exactly where you found yours back in August! My daughter found several further up by the Beach Road access in the tide pool shelf. Can't wait to get back! 🥰

[@SWFBeachLife]

I absolutely love hunting for those tiny treasures. I have found a few spots they like to hang out, but I'm always looking for new ones!

[@moonlitpearl700]

lovely treasure trove. I envy you😊

[@ilonamollema6467]

Dear Sharmon, What a lovely morning on Lighthouse beach! Sanibel has a special place in my heart.❤ It's still so sad to see all the damage the hurricanes did to the island. Starting with Ian, who destroyed the two houses near the Lighthouse. The beach has changed so much in the last couple of years. And the only thing the government can do is what they were doing in this video. But the shells are still here!🎉 I love the Calico Scallops so much! All those gorgeous patterns, especially with that hint of orange. 🧡 And the wentletraps......I think I would sit down and start looking at them for hours. They are stunning! And so are the other shells. I'm still debating what my favourite shell is. 😂 The banded and true tulips are also contestants. Hopefully, your new boots will help you with shelling in the water when the conditions are getting colder. It would be amazing if it works. Thank you so much for this video, I've enjoyed it tremendously! ❤ Wishing you a wonderful week and sending you lots of love and hugs, xoxo ❤, Ilona

[@SWFBeachLife]

I have had enough with these hurricanes to last me a while! I don't want them to hit anywhere, but if they could just miss all the places that have been hit in the last few years, that would be great! I love looking for those wentletraps! I am going to need to get magnifying glasses or something so I can see those delicate little blades when I'm on the beach! When it's bright out it's hard to see as it is, add looking for itty, bitty shells and I have my work cut out for me! It took me many years to figure out which shell was my favorite. If I go by sheer volume of the shells in my collection, the fighting conch definitely wins! I hope you have a wonderful week! ❤️

[@Danstarla]

The scallops

[@Averagetunafish3683]

Ended up going to pass a grille yesterday. 4 foot high mountain of shells that was natural. There was a lot of damage from the storm surge. It was insane.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Whoa. Almost sounds like the mountain I saw down in Marco Island. I am so happy hurricane season is OVER!!!

[@Averagetunafish3683]

@ same!!!! Knowing how it has been for the past few years, next season probably won’t be any easier. Just have to stay strong

[@kristenkylemack9477]

Beautiful day ❤ I use to decorate a small Christmas tree for my bathroom with Sea Shells. So I was. Wondering if you ever decorate your Christmas tree with. Your beautiful Shells? It is amazing how beautiful the tree looks with Sea shells hanging. On Them ❤😊

[@SWFBeachLife]

I have a separate little tree that I only put sea critters and shells on 😃🎄

[@susanburke1296]

I love your videos. Because I've not heard you mention it all wentletraps found in Florida have round openings, not oval. It makes it easy to identify them! Thanks for teaching everyone, I learned about the chalky lucine today.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I didn't know wentletraps had oval openings! I know they get much larger in other parts of the world, but good point the opening is round 😃

[@FloridaBeachWalks]

Ahhhhh loved the wentletraps 😍 I'm heading over to the west coast this weekend so I'm going to try to look for some! Happy shelling always 👍👍

[@SWFBeachLife]

Good luck!! I was thinking of hitting the East Coast but I think I'll wait a little bit longer. I am hoping to head over in January and find some purple shells!

[@FloridaBeachWalks]

@ Thx! I’m bringing my son Connor with me so I’ll have an extra set of eyes 🤣 I’ve had luck with the purple shells towards Boca Raton towards the end of January-my friend Janelle (lives by you) got a ton from Jan this year in the same area I found them- Boca Raton. I pray you will have an amazing shelling east coast haul soon 🙏🏼🐚 (not just saying that-I’m adding you to my prayer list).

[@SWFBeachLife]

@ 😘😘😘

[@White.Dove.]

I loved your into😅 today.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you! I struggled until I realized I had interviewed all those critters 🤣

[@vasilikikayafas8436]

@@SWFBeachLife🤣

[@gingermackeen5741]

Wow! 3 vids in 1 evening!! Pretty funny intro, S!😂 Loved strawberry lemonade! You did find a coquina graveyard. That's how I got a container of them at HI too. I think the sawtooth pens are the "prettiest" ones. I've got a nice complete one I'm trying to figure out how to use in a craft. A buttercup lucine with extra calories?! 😂 I think it's a dark cerith. Great variety on that day! Did I miss "beach time"? Thanks Sharmon! xxoo

[@SWFBeachLife]

I thought you were the one that told me about making night lights with pen shells. I "made" one with an apple snail, which was basically having the shell rest on the bulb 🤣 Ok, dark cerith it is. I have only found one stocky cerith and I couldn't keep it. I found it on Dry Tortugas 😩

[@gingermackeen5741]

@SWFBeachLife Yes I did. But this pen shell is too big for that. Will probably use it in some "shell sculpture". 😊

[@suelarivee385]

Great day thanks

[@SWFBeachLife]

You’re welcome! 🙏🏼

[@BettyRobinson-gg5tz]

💐💐💐💐🌹🌹🌹🤗🤗🤗❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏😘😘😘🐚🐚🐚🐚😍😍😍😍🌺🌺🌺🌺💖💖💖💕💕❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏🙏😘😘😘😘 Love you!!! Love your video!!!!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you so much!!! 🙏🏼

[@amyboggs766]

Never put a wentzel trap in your pocket 😂 they’re too tiny! Found one on Kice but didn’t put in my ziplock bowl. Thanks for the awesome video 🎄

[@SWFBeachLife]

I put them in my "tinies" container so I don't lose a single one! Thank you so much for watching!

[@martiwalsh2069]

Wentletraps remind me of spiral staircases somehow.

[@SWFBeachLife]

The dutch thought so as well. Wentletrap is Dutch for "spiral staircase!"

[@suelarivee385]

Hello from chilly Rhode Island

[@SWFBeachLife]

Hello!!! I remember throwing my car scraper away when I moved here from NJ. It was awesome!

[@kttnlvr2bynxylee622]

Thank you so much for the Wisheos!! I call them that because I wish I could live there and do what you are doing!! I live in Upper East Tennessee, would rather live there, I have a close friend/ other grandmother to my grandson who lives with me that lives in Lehigh Acres and ive been there several times to bring our grandson down to see her, so I really love Fort Meyers!!

[@SWFBeachLife]

I love living here in Fort Myers and I'm never leaving! It's such a great location and there are so many great beaches so close by. It's perfect for me!

[@kttnlvr2bynxylee622]

@SWFBeachLife I am 67 years old and disabled but I would find a way to go shelling and I just fell in love with Fort Meyers the first time my late husband and I brought our grandson down, if I could I would sell my house and move there, Lehigh Acres is beautiful but I would want to be even closer to the beach...now thanks to you I can identify the shells, I love watching your videos so much!!

[@userrobinmp]

❤

[@cindyhalloran5049]

Hey Sharmon! How does the bottom of a turkey wing look? Is it flat? Or evenly lumpy like the top? I've only found tops. Thanks. You ARE the Shell Wizard!

[@SWFBeachLife]

The shell itself has a peak, so it's concave on the interior. But where the 2 shells meet each other is flat. It's kind of like a scallop where there is a curve to the shell and where the shells meet is flat. I hope that makes sense!

[@cindyhalloran5049]

@SWFBeachLife Have you ever found a turkey wing flat? That would be so cool and interesting!

[@SWFBeachLife]

@ That would be interesting!

[@kellietaylor9673]

What area would you say has the best chance for a newby to find some really awesome shells? And I'm talking like in January.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Sanibel is a great place to start. There are always shells to be found!

[@SharperMind123]

About what percent of Sanibel has recovered/been cleaned up? Thank you

[@SWFBeachLife]

That's a good question. I would say a majority of the island is up and running normally, but there are still places that have not reopened or are still cleaning up from past storms.

[@maranathajacobs1907]

Speaking of barnacles, do you know how to preserve them? I found a barnacle cluster on the left coast this summer and would like to find a way to keep it nice and sturdy...haven't had a ton of luck with online searches.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Barnacles create their own "marine glue" and I don't know if that will degrade over time. I don't know how to preserve them - sorry!

[@maranathajacobs1907]

@@SWFBeachLife No worries!! I'll keep looking!

[@lynnej7219]

Do they have signs up at the entrances to the beach, telling people they must not take living shells/animals from the beach?

[@SWFBeachLife]

Most beaches do yes. No live shelling, signs will remind people to leave the critters at the beach and only take empty shells.

[@pamelaferguson257]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏❤❤

[@fields-n-feathers]

There's no limit to the creativity of God, as evidenced by the unique shells you collect. Imagine finding shells HE CREATED on DAY FIVE?🐚🧡 “God made two great lights-the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning-the fourth day.” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭1‬:‭16‬-‭19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

[@vasilikikayafas8436]

I know you love the challenge, but could you scoop and find them better? Or are they that tiny that you wouldn’t get them?

[@SWFBeachLife]

I tend to stick to methods that I can film, but I have scooped and gotten lucky. I'll try any method that works! 😅

[@conniesprowl-yc4zb]

What do you do with all your shells?

[@SWFBeachLife]

I get asked this question a lot, so I made a video about it.

[@terryhopeful]

Hi friends -- I want to share a story about Sanibel some of you may appreciate as much as I did: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5W5oXeJoJKcgJosi=r0ZjrRpRSN_GV7BH. Best wishes to the families of Sanibel who are preserving the best aspects of the island for as long as possible.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you for leaving that link! I'm going to try to watch that soon as I get a chance!

[@bethhaas9859]

Lol!!!

[@jessiesgirl4413]

Mmmm…full fat butter🧈!

[@SWFBeachLife]

The fatter the better! 💛

[@DebbieM1140]

❤