Low tide goofin and shell hunting

Come with me to explore the hidden (usually submerged!) coast of SoCal. Learn a bit about intertidal sea life and see my process for cleaning gorgeous shells.
If you want to learn even more about Abalone, there is an excellent little pocket book here: amzn.to/3O9uIWh
And a full accounting of their biology, natural history, and current population and conservation efforts here: amzn.to/3U1mvHp

[@kateharris3558]

Thank you for sharing 🙏 I love shells and appreciate knowing more about them ❤

[@Wild_California]

Thanks watching! I love shells too!

[@darlenesweetwood1913]

Cool Matt

[@jkperdue1109]

Cool thanks have always liked abalone shell maker

[@Wild_California]

Glad you liked it!

[@kendramanuel1276]

Gorgeous 😃✌️❤️😃

[@Wild_California]

Thanks! I appreciate you.

[@lindalee9868]

sooooo cool

[@Wild_California]

Thanks for watching 🤙

[@lindalee9868]

I live in Washington, we don't have a wide variety of colorful shells

[@Wild_California]

Google is telling me the only abalone native to WA is the pinto. We theoretically have those here in SoCal but I have never found one alive or even a shell. Thanks for watching.

[@isaacc473]

You have any tips for cleaning wavy turbans? I left mine with the periostracum on because I was a bit worried about ruining it with acid.

[@Wild_California]

What a fun question! I have only picked up three wavy turban snails. One had already been polished by sun and sand. One I let the sun and a gentle wire brush do the work. And one I used muriatic acid on. I think this shell needs a lighter tough. The shells where sun and abrasion were used have a much higher gloss and nice finish. The one in acid washed is duller, but the shell took on a pinkish hue. If I wet it, or apply some varnish, it’s quite pretty. Sometime I would like to etch one all the way down to the nacre; but haven’t got there yet. Thanks for watching!

[@isaacc473]

@@Wild_California The pinkish hue is what I'm aiming for. I think I'll have to head down to Santa Barbara again to collect some more to do some tests on. Thankfully I'll be moving to Monterey this August from my home in the Bay Area so I'll only be a few hours from SoCal. I've been to SoCal to collect shells twice (Isla Vista and Newport Beach). I recommend looking out for some of the smaller species too like Chestnut cowries and Solander's trivia shells. Have one of each in my display cabinet and they are beautiful.

[@Wild_California]

@@isaacc473 I do have a few chestnut cowries I picked up on a dive. They are already naturally polished/shiny and gorgeous. I’ll keep an eye out for the Solander trivia. More low tides this weekend!

[@jen9721]

Have you ever tried acid magic? works like muriatic acid but won't burn skin. still wear eyeglasses, but way less scary then muriatic acid.

[@Wild_California]

I have not heard of that before. I’m reading it has less fumes too. Thanks!

[@douglasstemke2444]

Muranic acid destroys the outer part of the shell. Any shell thus treated is no longer considered a specimen shell. It will be more colorful, but it is eating away a shell.