Thursday, March 08, 2012

Sanibel Island~Beach shelling and birding

Howdee all, 

A few days ago Jeff and I went shelling and birding near the Lighthouse on Sanibel Island.

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We arrived around 7:30 and there were already many people out looking for treasures.

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It was low tide and the Skimmer, Terns and other shorebirds were lined up on the sand bars.

Sanibel Shell and birds_024People shelling around them…

Fort Myers in the distance.

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Most people were walking the beach and shelling

Sanibel Shell and birds_025There were a few bird watchers..and photographers.

Sanibel Shell and birds_027I was looking up and down..

Sanibel Shell and birds_029Many live shells in the area..

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Sanibel Shell and birds_033There's Jeff on the right doing some birding

while I take photos and look for shells.

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Most people were respectful of the birds and distanced themselves as they walked past them.

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Mostly Sanderlings ..

Sanibel Shell and birds_050The shell seekers had many different contraptions to save them from bending down too often.

This fella in blue is a local and know the shells and what to look for.

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Live shell and shell seekers.

Sanibel Shell and birds_062Rudy turnstone and shadow

Sanibel Shell and birds_072Willet and shadow..

Sanibel Shell and birds_076Birds and beach walkers co exist..

Sanibel Shell and birds_079Oh my..its getting crowed..

Will I find any shells?

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We did see a good amount of birds..

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Sanibel Shell and birds_141Red knot, Sandwich Tern and Royal Tern

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Skimmers take flight

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The birding scene in video..

Royal and Fosters Tern?

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We had a super morning…shelling, walking the beach and birding. Jeff and I don’t really care to sunbathe..but those beach chairs sure did look inviting!

 

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Oh.and We did find shells!

This is actually two days worth..

Some collected on Captiva Island

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Cant wait to go out again and find more!

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22 comments:

  1. BONANZA of birds and shells!

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  2. Looks beautiful! What will you do with all of those shells?

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  3. With the kid chasing the birds, I'd have said something to the father. In the photo with the sandwich and royal terns and the skimmers, I believe you have at least one Forster's Tern, a bit left and up of centre. Nice blog and a nice reminder of Sanibel 40+ years since!
    Andy, Spain

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  4. Wonderful post!! Wish I had been there! :) Love those shells and the birds, of course!

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  5. Many of those birds would be lifers for me, and to get so close to them would be amazing. Your photos are great Dawn!

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  6. Fantastic! I have great memories of that place, but when I was there it wasn't anything like this!

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  7. Great collection of shells and birds. The birds should be heading this way soon. Wonderful photos. Have a great weekend!

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  8. Sounds like you had a wonderful time on the beach. Stunning photographs! Lots of beautiful birds and lovely shells. You picked up some of my favorites -- banded tulips, shark eye shells and coral. I think I even see a sea urchin. Fantastic!

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  9. Wow, such an amazing collection of shells in one place Dawn.

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  10. How fun! What a wonderful way to spend time, shelling and birding. That spotted shell is very unusual.

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  11. An excellent collection of shells and birds! I love Sanibel, and know how many amazing sights can compete for your attention all at once. You really captured the experience excellently!

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  12. What a lovely place! Excellent photos of the birds and shells. :-)

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  13. This is awesome. Amazing how close you got to the terns. I have to go to that island. Nice trip.

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  14. Hi Dawn, This is such a cool post. And your photos make me feel like I was right there. Very nice and thank you! John

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  15. They don't call it the "Sanibel Stoop" for nothing. I just love it there and at Ding Darling.

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  16. How incredibly awesome, I'm jealous! Is your shell ID as good as your bird ID? I'd love to know what all those little treasures are!

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  17. Beautiful pictures of the beach and oh the shells are great. What a collection! Birds and shells on the beach what could be better? Great pictures. I love all the colors of the shells grouped together that you gathered.

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  18. Thanks everyone!
    We truly are having a wonderful time here.
    The weather has been fantastic..in the 80s and sunny during the day. A few evening showers.
    The birding is excellent..the shelling superb..the beaches are scrumptious!
    I cant get enough of it...off to the beach soon to see whats out there.
    Every day the beach looks so different!

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  19. If u get the chance check out Pam over at i Love Shelling she's a local u may of seen her lite turquoise tshirt or hat that has iLoveShelling.com on it doing the sanibel stoop got the honor of meeting her while visiting Sanibel I love everything about Sanibel and I just joined your blog will b following your trips great blog and thanks for Florida beachhunter for posting u on my FB

    Melody

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  20. That's a great selection of shells. Sanibel is a great place for shelling and birding.

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ok what do you really think?????