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Shelling The Out Islands

31 Jan Shelling The Out Islands

Posted at 02:07h in Uncategorized by
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I enjoyed taking Gail and Hal around the islands looking for shells.  They got hooked on shelling in Mexico. It was their first time to this area shelling. Our first stop was at a little spot I like to stop at when the wind is just right because nobody shells there. 🙂 We started by finding  a tusk shell.  Then a paper fig. Hal has a keen eye for finding coquinas and found many doubles of yellow, pink, and blue. After shelling at secret spot number one we cruised to secret spot number two. The day before the wind was out of the west with a big gentle swell pushing in. (I love those gentle swells. I could watch them forever.) Today the Gulf had layed down considerably since I left it 11 hours ago. I had a  feeling secret spot number two would be good. It turned out to be very good. We found many olives and a few sand dollars.  Gail found many beautiful lighting whelks and one outstanding albino lightning whelk. Hal with his keen eye found two kings crowns, then Gail found the third one of the day not far from where the others were found.  Then the beach revealed an elusive scotch bonnet. (I thought of my friend Moria, and then Pam, then I took a photo with shaky hands) It was a great day of shelling. Thank you Hal and Gail. Great finds!

Brian Holaway
relaxandexplore@gmail.com

I have been a Shelling Guide to Cayo Costa State Park since 1995. Many people know me as the Shelling Guide and Captain with Captiva Cruises over the past 20 years. In 2016 I began solely offering private small boat charters to the islands of Pine Island Sound including Cayo Costa State Park, Cabbage Key, Useppa Island, Pine Island and North Captiva. I am a certified Florida Master Naturalist, licensed USCG Captain, avocational photographer, seashell enthusiast and passionate about the history, people and culture of Southwest Florida, especially Cayo Costa. I volunteer as a member of Friends of Cayo Costa State Park and have great respect for the heritage of Cayo Costa. My goal is to provide guests with an overall experience and appreciation for the waters, islands, shells, plants, marine life, wildlife, history and people of this unique area of Southwest Florida.

9 Comments
  • gpc
    Posted at 03:04h, 31 January

    What a great trip. I'd love to find a tusk shell. And an albino whelk. And a scotch bonnet. And a few sand dollars. And the kings crowns. And .. . well, I think you maybe get the picture.

  • Kaybe
    Posted at 03:38h, 31 January

    lol GPC has some cabin fever up there in the cold north. That scotch bonnet should clean up nicely.

  • Moira
    Posted at 04:13h, 31 January

    Oh, wow! Love all of those shells – especially that beautiful scotch bonnet..and the kings crowns – I hope they post pics when the shells are cleaned up! I hope the winds/waves/planets align so we can go to your secret spots!!! 3 months plus a couple of days!! We're looking forward to seeing you again!
    Moira

  • Moira
    Posted at 04:14h, 31 January

    Oh, wow! Love all of those shells – especially that beautiful scotch bonnet..and the kings crowns – I hope they post pics when the shells are cleaned up! I hope the winds/waves/planets align so we can go to your secret spots!!! 3 months plus a couple of days!! We're looking forward to seeing you again!
    Moira

  • Kim@Snug Harbor
    Posted at 10:45h, 31 January

    I thought that looked like a scotch bonnet. I don't have one of those yet. Hmmmm, secret spots?? Have I ever been to any of those?

  • Capt. Brian Holaway
    Posted at 10:50h, 31 January

    There are my secret spots, then there is your spot Kim. If I told every body where it was it wouldn't be your secret spot:)

  • Moira
    Posted at 11:06h, 01 February

    Brian – I want a secret spot, too!!!

  • Moira
    Posted at 11:06h, 01 February

    Brian – I want a secret spot, too!!!

  • pam @ i Love Shelling
    Posted at 02:51h, 02 February

    Hey Hey Hey!! That's a gorgeous scotch bonnet with nice color!!! Just sittin there pretty as a picture. Congrats Capt Brian…. and yeah, where are those secret spots LOL