Shelling Fort Myers Beach. I found a live Olive! Critters & shell finds on low tide beach walk.

Shelling after stormy weather is my favorite type of beach combing since not only will we usually find lots of neat shells, but we also have a much better chance of saying hi to some beach critters. On this particular walk we founds lots of shells, and we also take a look at a live Lettered Olive, a live sand dollar and a little hermit crab. If you like beach combing and shelling or just the beach in general, I recommend subscribing to my channel because I upload a new video every week.

[@nadenabond3307]

Wow nice shells

[@amycampbell6869]

Love this so much! ❤

[@debbiejones6265]

Those live Olives were cool

[@doreenperez9413]

Nice finds an thank you for sharing.

[@hollybess2811]

Awesome finds!! The live Lettered Olive was so cool! And the star fish, I don't ever get to see these guys up close and personal, so thank you very much! I cannot thank you enough for all you show us not everyday beach gowers,, this cool stuff!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart ❤️! I love it, don't stop, not ever!😄

[@SWFBeachLife]

I don't think I could stop if I wanted to! I found THE COOLEST live critter that I've never seen before in a recent walk. I'll be sharing that in a few weeks. The beach continues to amaze me and I'm so happy I can share my finds with others!

[@amykitzmiller9987]

What a fun video!

[@TheMTL1011]

I love your videos so much❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you!!!

[@foxriverbushcraft2345]

👍👍😎

[@maddiepost1]

Thanks for bringing us South Florida when we can’t be there! 😍🐚

[@SWFBeachLife]

You are so very welcome! Thank you for watching!

[@jschum0216]

I love shell hunting. I always went to Pompano beach in the winters and took my kids shell hunting when they were little. Now I live in Florida and dont make it to the beach often. I have a big collection accumulated from all those years. You do know your shells and I am learning. keep the videos coming!!

[@SWFBeachLife]

I took my kids to the beach when they were little too, but it was NJ and there wasn't much to find except big fat boring clam shells. Probably why I get so excited about all the different shells Florida has to offer. I'm glad you're learning your shells! I'm hoping to learn more every week! Thank you for watching!

[@jschum0216]

@@SWFBeachLife Ya I lived in CT and shells aren't too exciting up there. I live in Melbourne now and there really aren't any exciting shells here either. Guess I gotta go south or west.. Would love to go to Sanibel Island one day.. Like I said keep the videos coming! Love them!

[@ginacorry6994]

Thanks for this fun midweek surprise!

[@SWFBeachLife]

You are so welcome! Thank you for watching!

[@momslane377]

I watch you all the time!!! We made a trip to Marco Island and Naples. We made the drive up to Sanibel and I had so much fun searching for the shells I see in your videos. We kayaked from south Marco Island to Kice Island(not on a tour) We found tons (bags on conchs). Beautiful shells on this beauty! All the things you find on Sanibel but in more abundance.

[@SWFBeachLife]

That kayak trip sounds amazing! I have a kayak trip planned in March. I'm not EXACTLY sure where I'm leaving from or going, but it's possible I'm doing the same trip you did. I can't wait!!! I'm glad you got your self a whole bunch of goodies - thank you so much for watching my beach walks!!! Happy New Year!

[@momslane377]

@@SWFBeachLife you will be in heaven!!!! I hope your experience is as great as ours!

[@momslane377]

@@SWFBeachLife we departed at Caxambas Park. Kayaked 15-35 min( depending on currents and wind) across Caxambas Pass/Caxambas Bay to the bayside beach of Kice Island. Wish I could post a photo of what all we found. I thought I was going to mark this location off my bucket list. Now I want to leave it on my bucket list and come back. 😬

[@saolyartstudio752]

Wow so many seashell there. I make art with my seashells. I like the broken one too they have great shape for art 😍we have to visit someday 😍. Beautiful seashells. Do you sell or what you do with them? I bet you have a whole bunch of them. So awesome 👍. Amazing cloud. Enjoying watching thank you🙏

[@SWFBeachLife]

As a matter of fact, I just organized all my shells and I'll post that video soon. I do indeed have tons of shells that I'm not going to keep so I will be putting them on my website for sale. Some pieces, but mostly shells that are imperfect, which would probably make great art or jewelry or any kind of beach project! Thank you again for watching!

[@mitzimorris4746]

I so look forward to the next video, life gets so hard and an escape to the beach is the highlight of my week. Thank you so much.

[@SWFBeachLife]

It's such a treat to be able to share my love of the beach with others! Thank you for letting me share my walks with you!

[@suep9445]

I love the shells, have many of the same, but finding live critters and watching them is even better. I've watched razor clams duck into the sand so fast you almost miss it visually, and I still haven't been able to get it on video. Another time a scallop bumped against a friend's heel (in 6 inches water), and a horseshoe crab bopped around as we stood still.. What a treat!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Oh I LOVE the critter encounters! The beach is literally alive! I have an exciting super low tide trip planned. I hope I get to find lots of critters to share!!

[@salishseaquest7952]

Loved your Sand Dollar gift story. Just think how that person will share the story, too. You probably made her day and gave her great memories of Fort Myers Beach. Thanks for taking us along for the treasures.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I got such a kick our of her yelping over the sand dollar. Thank you so much for the kind comment and thank you for watching!!!

[@ewingsharp8916]

I live in Deerfield Beach in the Winter lol.

[@kholbrook203]

Oh my gosh. What a fantastic video.!!! I love seeing the critters in their shells and the sea star and all the shells you pick up and show. Your videos are one of the highlights of my day. Thank you for your great videos.❤️

[@SWFBeachLife]

You are so very welcome! It sounds like you enjoy watching them as much as I enjoy making them! xoxox

[@pattyvalinote8737]

WOW 🤩 the olive was so cool!!! Everything was beautiful!!! Thanks for sharing!!!🐚🌊❣️

[@SWFBeachLife]

You're so welcome! I was so happy to FINALLY find a live olive. Thank you for watching!

[@RaesTurquoiseTurtle]

Nice to ride along for these walks on the beach especially for those of us who couldn't visit an ocean beach at all this year! Thank you!

[@SWFBeachLife]

You are so very welcome! I hope my videos make you feel a little closer to the beach when you can't be here yourself. Thank you for watching!

[@RaesTurquoiseTurtle]

They do and making my beach resin art helps! 🐢💙

[@chrisbgifford7387]

I do the Sanibel stoop annually in April. Covid crushed my plans this year. But I'' be back Lord willing in 2021. I did not see any cat's paws. I'm still looking for a Lion paw and a Junnica. I'm come across the bay and check out your side of the beach. Thanks for the trip.

[@SWFBeachLife]

They CLOSED THE BEACHES for a few weeks when COVID just started and it drove me crazy. I'd have to go back and look at the dates but it was early on and it might have interfered with your trip anyway. I went to the East Coast and finally found pieces of Lion's paws. It was neat just to find little pieces but no junonia for me. Yet. Thank you for watching!

[@marykruse9384]

My favorite beach in Florida . Every year I got laid off in May I get my son and drive to FortMeyer ( stay on sanibel Island)and spen three weeks on the beach. Wonderful mom and son time we started when he was 8 years old.

[@SWFBeachLife]

What a wonderful tradition! The beaches down here are so pretty!

[@johnfrench6144]

Hello from UK 🇬🇧, I hope you are well .. we are due out of lockdown soon restrictions ..Limited but .. hopefully I will get out and back to fossil hunting and the odd shell .. after the first lockdown I was lucky enough to find a fragmented mammoth tooth .. its nice to see your finds .. I have found allot of baltic Amber this past winter . Take care .

[@SWFBeachLife]

A fragmented mammoth tooth!? That's amazing! Baltic Amber sounds pretty great too! I was quite upset when they closed the beaches over here last Spring so I rented a kayak and went real close to a beach but didn't actually go on it. Some of the restrictions are quite silly. I hope you can get back out there soon too. There is something so relaxing about looking for treasures on the beach. Thank you so much for watching!

[@johnfrench6144]

Very welcome .. the restrictions here that we could exercise but stay local .. they are to be lifted any day but I fear the worst because already there are allot of people that have had the vaccinations and think because of that ..everything is normal ... ! Just too ignorant I'm afraid .. the areas that were once a quiet place to walk are heaving with people . Its still a really worrying time . God bless take care ..

[@SWFBeachLife]

@@johnfrench6144 Take care of yourself! This too will pass...

[@RossellaLolli]

I enjoyed your video. Looking forward to your next upload! Have a good day👍🔔

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you! You too!

[@patembry3373]

As always, I really enjoyed your beach walk! Your voice is very soothing, even when you’re excited. Thanks for sharing your live olive find. I have found lots of Olives but never a live one. Can’t believe how fast they move. See you next week. ❤️

[@SWFBeachLife]

Pat Embry Thank you for watching! Sunday we’re hitting the road and looking for shells up at the Lido Key dredging site. ☺️

[@andreah.5962]

Quite the colorful haul!

[@yomama8873]

Thanks for the trip loved it. 🤩🤩💜

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you for always watching! 💜

[@shanaynay6652]

Awesome finds. Loved the live Olives. I haven't seen one myself either. Thank you for sharing your walk and treasures for the day.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thanks for watching!

[@krysw4233]

Can’t wait to see that she’ll cleaned up! Great video.

[@ruthlong6876]

I'm amazed at how you know all of the names of them thanks to you I've learned a few so far thank you til next time bye

[@SWFBeachLife]

I've had lots of practice! Thanks for watching!!

[@dhananjaychakraborty9056]

Just Lovely! That tiny little albino lightning whelk and that live olive were my favorite! Cute goodies!!!

[@SWFBeachLife]

That live olive was definitely my favorite too! Thanks so much for watching!

[@louettahuddleson7194]

🐚💞💖💞🐚⛱ Love those angel wings and like you I’m also a big olive shell fan. I love the feel of the olives in my hand. They are so glossy smooth.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I LOVE the glossy pointy ones the best! Thank you for watching all my beach videos!

[@marie-josetimperley3825]

What a wonderful walk! Beautiful beach! Loved the live olive! This makes me sooo happy 😊

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you for taking the time to watch and I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

[@goldieheinig8723]

Really cool encounters with two live Lettered Olives. It proves that all sea snails travel "backwards"!

[@SWFBeachLife]

LOL! Yes, apparently snails have very pretty butts! Thank you for watching!

[@ewingsharp8916]

Ynother Crown Conch Lol.

[@gingermackeen5741]

Another great video! Can't believe how often you find albino lightning whelks! I've found albino other shells, but not a lightning whelk - yet!😊

[@SWFBeachLife]

i've probably hit my yearly albino whelk limit, so I won't find another for months 😅 I'd love to find an albino Florida fighting conch. I've seen pictures, but I'd love to find one some day! Thank you for watching!!!

[@lindagiammarco2687]

Great finds! Thanks for my virtual trip to the beach. Amazing to see a live olive. Now I know what they look like. I've learned so much. Linda from Philadelphia

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you for watching Linda! I'll keep the beach walk videos coming!

[@angelacarl0814]

Beautiful views! Awesome job 🤗

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you very much!

[@danielmaggio772]

You have good eyes to spot all those shells!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Practice helps! Thanks for watching!

[@shellstories]

Nice! Cool worm shells too! As always good finds :)

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you!!

[@jennywalborn7769]

Those blue shells you found, I saw in roundup, were so pretty! And, Have you ever found one of the (poisonous) live cone shells? I believe Florida has them right? I'd be afraid to pick them up! They are pretty though.

[@SWFBeachLife]

We do have cone snails here in Florida but I've never seen one alive. They typically live in deeper waters, but the ones we have here won't kill you. The alphabet cone venom is more like a bee-sting. I still wouldn't pick up a live one, but it's good to know it wouldn't kill you should you accidentally get stung!

[@carakrzyzanowski381]

OMG I miss Florida! I loved Ft. Meyers beaches. But I still love Sanibel the most.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I can certainly see why! It's absolutely gorgeous. My videos just don't do the beaches justice. Thank you for watching!

[@ScaryFear]

What a great day. Loved the live olives. I like olives a lot too. Many snails are way bigger than the shell. Hope you get to see a live sharkeye one day.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I’ve seen one at the Sanibel Museum - can’t believe they fit in their shell! Hopefully one day I’ll find a live one. I certainly find enough shells!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Scary Fear I can’t believe those moon snails can fit in their shells! I’ve seen them at the Shell Museum - fascinating! Hopefully one day I’ll encounter a live guy. That would be awesome!

[@storm2156]

A nice treat two videos in a week! You really had a spectacular haul today. Some really nice shark eyes and a great true tulip. Husband got a really nice king's crown. It was nice to see a few large piles you went shelling in, looks like the tropical storm delivered! Also I heard you mention one of my favorite shells the wentletrap! There is actually several different types you can find although it can be very hard to tell them apart. If you really want to find some the best place by far I've found is near the Lighthouse on Sanibel and south by about a mile or so. You'll rarely find them around Bowman's or Blind Pass. One thing it pains me to say though, they are becoming increasingly difficult to find. I can remember finding well over a hundred in a single week's trip. Now I am lucky if I get ten. While I don't know the exact reasons, but it seems smaller species of shells in general just aren't as common anymore. Perhaps it is pollution, red tide, and maybe even over shelling, I can't say for sure. When I go down I plan to visit Bailey's Shell Museum (time permitting) and if they have an expert there maybe he/she will have the answer!

[@SWFBeachLife]

The Shell Museum is great! I have asked many a question about our little snail friends and the staff there is very knowledgeable. Yes, I have yet to find a wentletrap, but I'm going to keep looking! The lighthouse beach is gorgeous, but I have never had any shell luck there. Others have told me they've found great stuff but it's always been a bust for me. If I get desperate for my wentleltrap I'll have to camp out over there! 😂 Thank you for watching!

[@SWFBeachLife]

@Laura Carder WHAAAAT? I still haven't found one. I'll try that area again - I've heard mid-island is the best to find those guys!

[@diannleich6009]

Love your videos!!! We’ll be in Venice Beach for a week and then Sanibel for a week at the last Of Sept-Oct. I’m so excited!! We’ve been several times and can never get enough!

[@SWFBeachLife]

We went up to Venice - Caspersen Beach to look for shark's teeth and we found some! It was a fun time seeing everyone out in the water searching for teeth. And Sanibel - well, what can I say other than it's just absolutely beautiful! I hope you have fun packing and planning for your trip. The weather should be beautiful!!!

[@sherrytraveny1846]

Love watching you go shelling on the beach. Do you ever sale any shells. I am asking because I am handicapped and can not travel due to not having a car, along with a week emune system. I am interested in moon snails, cones, angle wings, scalps, olives, corals, tulips, welks, spiney jewel box, fighting conch, pink shells that look like pink flower petals, venous sunray. Please let me know I will pay you for them I am on face book Under my name.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Hi there! I do sell shells and i would be happy to sell some of my shells to you! Please send me an email to [e-mail].

[@Onora]

Can you explain the difference between an auger and a serif?

[@SWFBeachLife]

I sure can along with some video! Check out the end of this video - I show the shells and the difference between the two: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmXbaHqvgN51oMk

[@wendysargent4266]

Which shells do you put in your Tupperware box? jingles, spinney jewel box, lacy murex, sand dollars, angle wings? anything else?? thank you!!! Also do you put them all in the same box?

[@SWFBeachLife]

The box I keep for delicates or tiny things that I don't want to lose, so I'll put sand dollars, smaller angel wings, paper figs and tinies in there and yes, they all go in the same container. They might get jumbled around a bit, but the container protects them from the heavier shells that might break them as I drop things into my shell bag.

[@lynnepastore4600]

I wish I could fine beautiful she'll. But north east truely don't have beautiful she'll as Florida only shark eyes here in Connecticut Milford Beach for ham and acid.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Yeah...New Jersey beaches never gave me anything good either. Florida has the best shells!

[@meganharster]

Can you do a video on how you clean your shells? love seeing all your finds!

[@SWFBeachLife]

I'm working on an organizing/showing what I do with my shells/acid videos now! Thank you for watching my beach walks!

[@kathyjund7212]

Did you keep the cockle pair?? I love those..never found one..ugh..and the live olives!! Love those!

[@SWFBeachLife]

I didn't keep that cockle pair. Just took a peek. I've been joking I'll need to rent a storage unit if I start keeping everything I find 😂 Thank you for watching!

[@deborahhunter4268]

Why don't you ever get small pieces of driftwood? Just wondering. 🙂

[@SWFBeachLife]

I have no idea! Once in a while trees and other wood debris will wash up, but I don't think I've ever seen legitimate drift wood on any of the beaches down here. I have to assume it's because of the currents and shipping lanes but I don't really know. I'm just happy with all the other goodies that we get to find 😊

[@teresasuffecool7540]

Have you ever found a hermit crab on the beach?

[@SWFBeachLife]

I have found lots of hermit crabs on the beach. Here is a blue eyed hermit crab: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4K7m6KCf8-Yi6c

[@teresasuffecool7540]

Do you keep them?🤔

[@SWFBeachLife]

Teresa Suffecool I don’t ever take any of the living critters from the beach. If I wanted a hermit crab I’d probably buy one from the pet store. ☺️

[@teresasuffecool7540]

Ok cool😊

[@staceysaunders6857]

Awesome finds!!! What is the best way to clean shells 🐚? Also can u recommend anything after cleaning them to make them get that shine back to them? Ty

[@SWFBeachLife]

Best way to clean shells really depends on the shell. I generally just rinse and let them air dry. If I am sending any out (that I've sold or I'm giving to a friend) I will soak them in a light bleach mixture overnight to make sure any smells are gone. Getting them shiny is easy - use mineral oil! Just put some on a cotton ball and then polish with a paper towel or dishrag. I'm going to compare dipping in acid to using oil in my acid video. I'm curious myself how they compare. Acid definitely won't shine the shell, but it will bring a lot of the color out. Thank you for watching!

[@marykruse9384]

Why didn’t you take us to Sanibel

[@SWFBeachLife]

Soon! I've been exploring different beaches lately but I'll be taking you back to Sanibel soon!

[@donnadavidson3904]

Need to send you a picture of some thing I found on the beach in Jensen Beach. Do you have a Facebook site where I could send a picture?

[@SWFBeachLife]

Yes I sure do! Just look for SWF Beach Life on Facebook and Instagram. Can't wait to see!

[@vtbakerbuilder]

I wonder if the snail that's inside is as albino as it's shell?

[@SWFBeachLife]

Wouldn't it be cool if they were pink? I can't even find a photo of one!

[@vtbakerbuilder]

@@SWFBeachLife Another thing to add to your bucket list. 🪣 ....Find albino snail.

[@karenkuhn6897]

Why do you clean with the acid wash?

[@SWFBeachLife]

It takes that layer of white off the shells. Check out my latest acid dipping video and you'll see what it does: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a33bgJyomteia68

[@nancywhittington3535]

do you also pick up sea glass?

[@SWFBeachLife]

Usually the glass down here is really just broken glass - not smoothed sea glass per se. I think I've found 2 legitimate pieces but the rest was just garbage and we recycled it. I think the East Coast might have more since the waves of the Pacific are much more powerful than the gulf.

[@tinkertailor3115]

Sort of off the subject, but you're on the beach so much, do you cover up or just use a heavy-duty SPF?! :-)

[@SWFBeachLife]

Both! I never go for a beach walk without wearing a shirt and then I'll put sunscreen on anything that is exposed. I almost always wear a hat and generally try to stay as covered up as possible - but it gets hot! The cooler weather is starting to come in. I'm looking forward to wearing a long sleeve shirt on the beach again to skip the arm sunscreen! Thank you for watching my beach adventures!

[@tinkertailor3115]

@@SWFBeachLife Always enjoyable -- thanks.

[@marykruse9384]

That doesn’t look like the beach I remember. Looks more Captiva

[@SWFBeachLife]

I actually haven't spent all that much time on Captiva beaches, so I can't really comment. I assure you this was FMB 😊

[@hellofromUSA062]

What do u do with the operculums?..sp

[@SWFBeachLife]

I don't really "do" anything with them. Sometimes if they look a little dry I'll put mineral oil on them but I just put them in a glass bowl with my other beach treasures.

[@hellofromUSA062]

@@SWFBeachLife cool. Was just wondering if they were sturdy enough to make into something. Thank you!!