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Shelling With Beth And Russell

15 Nov Shelling With Beth And Russell

Posted at 02:54h in Uncategorized by
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I enjoyed shelling with the humorous Russell and veteran sheller Beth.  Beth has excellent shelling eyes. She found an interesting formation of the fighting conch (Second photo from the top). Much to my surprise and hers, she found a piece of a deer cowrie. WOW, this is only the second piece of deer cowrie I have seen in 18 years. (The first was by my Cayo buddy Carolyn, this summer.)  Beth also spotted this beautiful horse conch. It was one of those days when you could have just kept walking the beach and looking all day. Great finds! Hope to see you again in a couple of months.

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.

7 Comments
  • Moira
    Posted at 10:21h, 15 November

    Great finds!!!

  • Traci Mason
    Posted at 15:49h, 15 November

    Those are some great finds! I like seeing people finding the "different" stuff, the not so common and unusual!

    The ocean provides a lot of unique gems!!

  • Janet from IL
    Posted at 21:33h, 15 November

    Thanks for sharing these great photos! Love the cybershelling. I see several rice olives and good-sized barnacles. Is the white shell in another photo a double bi-valve? I'm curious if Beth found the horse conch in the water or on shore. It's awesome… looks like it has very few breaks or chips, if any! Good for her!

  • Anonymous
    Posted at 21:23h, 16 November

    Just think – in 3 days I get to see them too!! I'm Beth and Russell' mother!!

  • Anonymous
    Posted at 10:09h, 17 November

    Way to go Sis & Bro! Looks like some awesome finds with Capt Brian! Can't wait to see the loot when you get home! love ya – "Little Sis"

  • Capt. Brian Holaway
    Posted at 10:36h, 17 November

    Janet from IL, the white shell is a double or complete bi-valve. It was a great find. The name of the shell is a crested tellin,(Very Rare) Beth found the horse conch in the tideline on the beach. We were in a remote area with no one else around.It was a good day of shelling.

  • Beth
    Posted at 23:57h, 20 November

    Hey Brian

    Just wanted to thank you again for the great trip. We are now back to reality–I much prefer Sanibel/Captiva! We will certainly be in touch next time we are heading south.
    PS Found a real nice alphabet cone on the day before we left