Take a happiness break and come to the beach with me! Finding beach treasures on a Florida Island.

[@thomasherrick3903]

Hey there!!! This is Tom with Adventures in Paradise. We had a wonderfully prolific shelling excursion a few days ago out on Cayo. When you’re there the next time, I highly recommend checking the more marshy areas towards the southern center portion of the island. There are some hidden tidal areas that many of the larger shells get stuck in. I scoped out that central area from that southern pond up to the yacht that has been stuck there for months (it’s called the Front Page) and found MULTIPLE gigantic horse conchs and some of the most beautiful fighting conchs I’ve ever seen. You’re an inspiration to all of us, keep doing what you’re doing because your videos are wonderful. We always have them on in our house.

[@thomasherrick3903]

It would be a dream come true to go shelling with someone as knowledgeable and passionate as you.

[@donnaschimmelpfennig3447]

​@@thomasherrick3903do you have a you tube channel?

[@donnaschimmelpfennig3447]

Tom do you have a KZbin channel?

[@thomasherrick3903]

I wish I did but as of right now I do not. I fear they wouldn’t be as well put together as Charmins are (sorry if I misspelled your name!!) but we do trips out to Cayo every week and I personally guide any of our guests to find some of the best shells Cayo Costa has to offer

[@donnaschimmelpfennig3447]

@@thomasherrick3903 I am sure you have a lot of information and beauty to offer!

[@morganwiddison]

Hands down, my very most favorite part of this video was when you slowed way down and showed the pile of shells for me to visually search through. Please do it again! Even more! I'm excited for future content.

[@debbiefox6846]

Hello! Newbie to your channel here & I absolutely Love your channel! 💗 Someone on either PaleoCris or WildlKyle's channel recommended yours. I'm thrilled. My inner nerd loves that you give out all the shell names and discuss the creatures living in them & the wildlife around the islands. I have never found a channel like yours on YT & I have been on YT a very long time. So I wanted to tell you how much I appreciate you going to the trouble of sharing your knowledge with everyone & me as well now. We used to live 1 street (one house) away from the ocean in the Pacific N.W. We were also very close( about 7 min drive to the Giant Redwoods. It was magnificent. Hubby & I miss it so very much but the rain could be 8'-12' (feet) a year and hard to bear esp with my major depressive disorder. I used to take my little girls down to the beach daily all summer long. We used to go to sleep hearing the waves crashing on the shore and the harbor seals barking. It was magnificent. I am enjoying watching your sunny beaches & islands and can't wait to bing watch all of your wonderful videos. Just wanted to say hello and tell you how wonderful your channel is. 😊💗🌅🐬🦭🐚🦪🪸

[@SWFBeachLife]

Your NW place sounds like it was paradise. You're going to learn A LOT about our beaches down here - especially on a good critter day! Welcome aboard!

[@SandyTowz]

I just love hearing "Let's go ... to the beach"!!!❤❤❤

[@janetdunn8220]

Sunday night wouldn't be the same without you! Thanks again for all you do.❣️🦋❣️🐚🐚🐚🐢🌊☀️

[@SWFBeachLife]

I’m so glad to hear that! I’m so thankful for my viewers!

[@barbaradunn6975]

We had the pleasure of going to Sanibel Island while visiting our son in Miami. The sunset was stunning, wish I could post a picture of it. We found many shells to bring home to California. I grew up going to the beach in California so this was a real treat to go to Sanibel and go shelling! I love watching your weekly videos!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Sanibel is so very special - I'm glad you got to experience it for yourself!

[@amandamcmurrey5504]

That fighting conch at 7:15 (I guess the only adult you ended up keeping) is gorgeous! Love your attitude-I’ve always said that for the most part, we are only as happy as we want to be. Attitude is everything. Keep up the good content!

[@SWFBeachLife]

You are so right - attitude is everything! Thank you so much for watching!

[@junebarnhouse1482]

Love my Sunday beach walks with you and the education you provide. Thanks for sharing your fun and knowledge b

[@nikoletastavropoulou5515]

I love your videos. What impresses every time is that you know all the shells. Adove all,however, that you are cleaning the beach.🥰

[@cheryldodge5126]

Thank you Charmane for taking us with you each week. You can't understand how appreciative we all are for including us in your adventures.

[@debrablue]

Love this. I have so many shell's that have been handed down to me over my lifetime of (7O) years & have made some great crafts over the years. I don't sell them but they decorate my DRY North Texas bedroom Of my Sea Scape. ☺ Oasis*.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I'm so glad to hear you have a beautiful seaside bedroom to enjoy!

[@Hull-1215]

Caught this at the perfect time 🥰. Wanting to book another trip to come down and shell 🥰🥰. Shells make me happy and I’m tired of this freezing weather.

[@SWFBeachLife]

It's a great escape for sure! Get down here quick!

[@justjulee9135]

What a beautiful island! Your video was a welcome respite as I was washing, drying, and putting away dishes! I do my best to be happy about something every day, but nothing compares to being at the beach!

[@SWFBeachLife]

I feel like the beach cures everything 🥰

[@rhoward295]

Yay, I love my beach time so much!

[@BeverlyDahman]

Thanks for another walk on the beach. Most of my shelling for the last 3 months has been virtual shelling. Three of the beaches on Manasota Key are still closed due to Hurricane Milton so the parking for the one open beach is hard to get. This week we are coming to FMB a for a day and then going out to Keewaydin the next day. Even if the shelling turns out to be not so great, we will enjoy the time on the beach. Cayo Costa was beautiful.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I hope you have good shelling luck when you come!

[@debbiejones6265]

I so needed your video this week. Still had the fires but rain started Saturday afternoon. I wanted to jump for joy. Now I get to relax with. your video. :) Those Dolphins are adorable. And love the Manatees. that kitten paw is so big. lol. That surf clam is amazing. wow on the Bay Scallops. wow, that Florida fighting Conch. It's so chocolate colored. the bubbles are cute. Love jingles. I have a spotted slipper snail and didn't know what it was until I watched your video. Excited I have that. Beautiful day. Thank you for taking us with you.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I hope you stay safe!

[@lorischager8027]

The very first unbroken lightning whelk I ever found was black! I treasure it. I’ve been thinking lately of divesting myself of my shell collection and if I do, that beauty will remain with me. I remember literally jumping for joy and happy dancing when I found it😅😂 my hubs seemed a bit embarrassed, but the beach goers around me understood my elation. Good times for sure!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Oh us shell collectors totally understand! When someone start hooting and hollering we all turn our heads to maybe catch a glimpse of what the treasure is!

[@lorischager8027]

@ absolutely! I do my shelling on Hatteras Island, the surf is pretty gnarly so finding shells that haven’t been beaten to death can be hit or miss. Everyone wanted to see just what it was that I’d found. Having that passion and energy bounced back to me is just so amazing! That’s why I like your channel so much! I’m the nerdiest shell nerd so it’s not enough to id a shell, I like knowing everything i possibly can about them. Best pastime ever❤️

[@billrobbins5874]

Glad to hear you're feeling better. Thank you for another trip to the beach! ❤️

[@gmedack]

I enjoy watching you finding your treasures and your knowledge. And, your voice is so calming. I find your videos perfect for the morning or late evening with a cup of coffee (which is what I am doing right now). Thank you so much for sharing your relaxing beach trips. P.S. I would be super excited to see your cleaning/bleaching routine.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I've made quite a few cleaning videos, but this was my latest "acid" video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWXbpmCGlLRnisksi=tdjdqs-t1fzLAfSY

[@gmedack]

@@SWFBeachLife Thank you so much dear!

[@vasilikikayafas8436]

I absolutely love those surf clams with those dark colors. I always collect them when they’re that color. I just find them so pretty. ☺️

[@SWFBeachLife]

They really are pretty!

[@bonnerdebbie]

Other than the fighting conch, the apple murex, kitten paws and the chestnut turbans that looks like a good day of shells in NE FL. Thanks Sharmon.

[@Bigmomma907ak]

Thank you so much for sharing your time with us!

[@SWFBeachLife]

You're welcome, beach friend!

[@gingermackeen5741]

Those surf clams (brown and beige) were some of the prettiest I've seen! Lol. I brought a bunch of shells back to HISP this morning. Had to thin them out. What a cool fact about cormorants! I think you're right about the weird frond oyster. 🤣 Back-up telling. Love it! Really hope the north end opens again so you can experience that too! Thanks, Sharmon! xxoo

[@Jean2235177]

Oh, you mentioned Captain Jenny and I immediately smiled, remembering my excursion with her.😊😊😊 happy memory.

[@Jean2235177]

Wishing you well on your move.

[@fields-n-feathers]

I thought of you today when I cruised through the craft/decorative section at Wal-Mart. They had some very large shells which they called "Lions Paws," even though they looked like large scallops of some kind!🤦🏼‍♀️🤣

[@SWFBeachLife]

The nerve!!! There is only one legitimate Lion's Paw!!! 🤣

[@artiejohnson703]

I can’t wait for spring and summer again so we can start going to the beach again, on the east coast. We try and go once or twice a week. We go to Bathtub beach. I find a lot of the same seashells that you do. We started to snorkel at the end of the summer, had a blast. Can’t wait to go again this summer. Thanks for all you do to bring us a great video. ❤

[@SWFBeachLife]

Snorkeling is so much fun! I got a good mask and snorkel and hopefully I'll find some good spots to check out too this summer!

[@kathy_beauty1955]

I am so jealous!! Lol. But seriously, I only get to come to Fla one week a year but I go to the beach every time I see your videos! Your voice and camera skills are awesome! Thanks for taking me with you!!

[@SWFBeachLife]

You're so welcome! I love sharing my happy place with my beach friends.

[@adelerose8893]

Hello. From Norfolk Uk. ❤ i watch cus the shells on your beaches are so much prettier than the ones we get here!! 😂 thanks for your video's ❤

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you for watching all the way from the UK!!

[@jasminecarriker8713]

Beautiful artwork!

[@luannski6895]

I looked it up and found a video. The bubbles glow bright red under UV light! Amazing!

[@KathyColorado1]

You really had to work for it today! Thank you for sharing!

[@BettyRobinson-gg5tz]

Thanks for sharing!!! I love your videos!!!!!!😍😍😍😍🙏🙏🙏🙏💕💕💕💕💕💖💖💖💖😀😀😀😀😘😘😘😘🌹🌹🌹🌹💐💐💐💐💐

[@MistyWallace-qu9fr]

We are SERIOUSLY Considering moving to ft. Meyers Florida, what beach at you at? It’s absolutely beautiful! I love all the petrified trees wood, on the beach. Looks a lot like black rock beach in Jacksonville fl. Just beautiful. ❤😊

[@Katherine-rq8mk]

Going on my annual beach trip to nc. ALWAYS find treasures but funny enough have never found the state shell whole. For me the elusive Scotch Bonnet. Tons of baby ears, calico, wentletrapp, shark eye, whelks, sometimes helmets and horse conch

[@SWFBeachLife]

Oh those shells sound good to me! I can't wait until I can try shelling in NC. Good luck to you!

[@amyboggs766]

A slow day is still a great day at the beach 🏝️ ❤

[@SWFBeachLife]

Every time!

[@45kimmyb]

My favorites were the discolored surf clams, especially the first one! ❤

[@inamccaffrey6033]

Anyone else watch these and think “what? She’s not taking that?”! LOL Hi everyone from balmy Cleveland Ohio…🥶

[@SWFBeachLife]

I'm a shell brat! 😂

[@gaymeyer9471]

Take a happiness break....what a good idea for whatever your passion is thank you going to use that one love the beach time ❤❤

[@SWFBeachLife]

I'm glad you're taking a happiness break, too!

[@ittybittykittymama7582]

First again! Hello, love! Feeling great this evening, so I'm ready to go! What a way to start the week! Shelling with you, my Beach Angel! Not many stupendous shells today, but the "old reliable" ones are making a good showing. Ooh, I just love the scallops! I would be perfectly happy if I only found scallops! Much love to you! R

[@jolynnburns4306]

Thank you for the walk. Still good treasures even if it was kind of slow! The snow was crazy here!! Did you get any? I hope you have a great week and see you Sunday! XOXO

[@SWFBeachLife]

No snow here but I was up in Orlando and holy smokes I froze my tail off!! I'm never moving from SWFL!!!

[@miriammacdermot5601]

Hi Sharmon. Hope you're feeling better tonight. Enjoyed the adventure tonight even though there weren't many gastropods. What caught my eye in particular was the brown striped surf clams at the beginning of the video. Do those get any bigger? I think they are gorgeous. Another favorite was that small pink clam with those 2 big barnacles on it. They seemed like a decoration somehow. Anyway, take care of yourself. See you next time.

[@SWFBeachLife]

The surf clams do get bigger, maybe about 4x the size of those darker colored ones. I tend to prefer then if they are discolored or if there is something unique about them 😃

[@doctordoctor7813]

I LOVE the purplish Tagelus ❤

[@rebeccabarnes3324]

Thank You !! 😊

[@cazee100]

Just as lovely as always. Hugs and stay safe xx

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you! 😊

[@ConnieTurner-x6x]

I love your slooow close up walk, so I could see what I could see ! Thanks for the walk🐚🪸

[@lisahutchcraft1385]

Hey, Sharmon! (Sp?) I’ll be down your way in Ft. Meyers the first week of March. Maybe we will run into each other on the beach! 😊🐚

[@vasilikikayafas8436]

Sunday funday beach time! ❤️

[@SWFBeachLife]

Happy Sunday!

[@jojoa0808]

I am longing to go back to Marco - maybe this Spring!

[@shannaprissyleamon1311]

Lol one time when I was younger I thought I had found a big pile of slipper snails. It wound up being giant pistachio shells 😂😂

[@SWFBeachLife]

I've seen those "shells" on the beach too!!

[@debblair5761]

Great shells as always. Maybe the same but still great. 😊

[@JILLCritterologist]

Thank you for the Happiness Break! Fog or sunshine, the beach always makes me happy, doubly so if there are shells to be found.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Same!!! Some may thing Disney is the happiest place on Earth, but we know otherwise!

[@JoL-t6k]

The surf clams look like the rings around Saturn!

[@suelarivee385]

What a great day 😊

[@susanknell9421]

Loved seeing Cayo Costa! My daughter and I will be coming to Sanibel the last week in February and will be staying at the Island Inn and enjoying the beach right there. But I'd like to go to another beach to shell and wondered which beaches you like to be most that aren't too far from Sanibel . I'm pretty sure you'll say Fort Myers Beach! If we go there which part do you recommend?

[@SWFBeachLife]

The south end of FMB is my favorite, but there is no close parking. You have to hike about a mile to get to the good spot!

[@CSampsonMn]

I've done a little research and it appears that different chemical processes result in the jet black color. Likely to be a process called phosphatization. It is more common in actual fossils. The black scallop shell might technically be a fossil - and a very high quality one at that. Might be worth checking out with local university? PS We had a great time with you on Lovers Key!

[@SWFBeachLife]

I don't think it's a fossil, but maybe. That black color was the blackest I've ever seen, much darker than any of the silver, or grayish black shells I've found. Truly a stunner of a shell. Thank you for letting me show you Lovers Key!

[@denisem6754]

I loved every moment of the video, but especially the manatees. I lived in Crystal River is the 1970's and they used to spend a lot of time in the springs there during the winter months.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I really want to go swimming with them!

[@denisem6754]

@@SWFBeachLife An experience you’d never forget! I think there used to be a law prohibiting touching them, so I’d check the current regulations.

[@sabrinakeating1761]

Love your channel...love your philosophy🎉🎉❤🎉🎉❤

[@SWFBeachLife]

🙏🏼

[@user-mad7max11dystopia]

I’m a little confused because you said winter is peak shelling season, but this year it seems fall was better than winter so far ?

[@SWFBeachLife]

Fall was good because of the hurricanes. Storms in general really help push shells onto the beach. In winter we get NW winds that help this pushing, but we haven't really had too much wind or too many storms so far.

[@TobyAva2023]

That's a rough lookin beach...few nice shells

[@lesliel9791]

who is rich? she who is happy with what she has.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Indeed!

[@MyFabDay]

I hope you feel better soon. When you move, will you stay in the Fort Myers area? My last trip there, from Colorado, was 3 years ago. I really miss it and wish I could go regularly. 😢

[@SWFBeachLife]

I will never move from this area - just downsizing a bit so I can spend more time at the beach and less time cleaning! 🤣

[@sandeepettit696]

❤❤❤

[@yomama8873]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@SarahHanna-s2c]

How you like the snowy beach ⛱️⛱️❄️❄️

[@SWFBeachLife]

I didn't get to see snow but it was cold enough up in Orlando for me 🥶

[@DebbieM1140]

❤

[@phyllisahmed9472]

What are the " puffy" looking sand dollars and where can you find them?

[@SWFBeachLife]

Urchins can be found in shallow water or near the waters edge here in SW Florida beaches.

[@lesliel9791]

remember in "the story of Ping" the birds are diving for fish?

[@SWFBeachLife]

I didn't have that book as a kid so I'm not sure!

[@myunknownland9272]

I keep coming back as your ckean, no sweatung. Thanks so much.

[@tammywood7514]

Have you ever found a hinged kitten paw? Or a whole one?

[@SWFBeachLife]

Whole - yes mostly. Hinged - not yet!

[@-Erebus]

Ever find shark teeth on FMB? I’ve been trying every weekend for 4 years now 😅

[@SWFBeachLife]

My friend from NC was visiting and she asked if we get them. I said no, and she promptly picked up one that was about 1" big. They CAN be found, but it's very, very unlikely.

[@MistyWallace-qu9fr]

The beaches in Jacksonville are PERFECT for finding hundreds of sharks teeth! So much fun! 😊

[@Hull-1215]

When was this trip if ok to ask? My husband and daughter have been down without me a few times lol and I just know they are going to run into without me 🤣

[@SWFBeachLife]

I recorded this on New Year's Eve :-)

[@Hull-1215]

@@SWFBeachLife I told my Husband I’ll hopefully meet you some day. For about 2 years he would watch your shelling videos before I’d fall asleep and back then, I was not a “Sheller”. Now, I’m obsessed and he quizzes me all of the time on what shell is this?🥰😂. I paid attention clearly because now it’s a competition when we’re out. 🤣🤣. We get off an island, he goes left and I go right 😂😂

[@pamelaferguson257]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@jadacooper6513]

YAY!!!!!

[@laurajames8071]

I wonder where the leafy jewel boxes have gone...

[@SWFBeachLife]

They hide from me over on the East Coast...

[@jessiesgirl4413]

Mmmm…Eggs & Butter🥚🧈

[@chrisbgifford7387]

I'm trying to imagine how many "Cross barred Venus clams" it takes to make one cup of Clam chowder!?

[@cindyhalloran5049]

😂

[@SWFBeachLife]

I'm guessing it would be quite a few. One of my shell books has a recipe that uses coquinas! 😳

[@chrisbgifford7387]

@@SWFBeachLife Wow that could take days to collect!

[@pal98111]

Lot of money grabbing lately.