Like a Phoenix, Sanibel is risen from the ashes. I was so worried for Sanibel during Ian, happy to see she is still beautiful and has shells. Lovely walk too. Stay safe xx
There are times when I still can't believe that hurricane happened. Piles of concrete where a hotel used to sit. It will be okay in a few years but it's going to take a lot of time. ❤️
I walked from Tarpon Beach to Lighthouse beach back in January. Saw full refrigerators...dumpsters...embedded in the sand. There she was...still standing, that beautiful sign of resiliency, our Sanibel Strong Lighthouse!!! I spent months having the beach to myself most days.
There is something about that lighthouse isn't there? We still have a long way to go in the clean up department but the beach is still beautiful. I hope you and yours are okay!
Thank you so much for taking me back to my old stomping grounds. I love seeing how much repairs they have done to her. She is still in ICU but she's looking better each time you go to our favorite gal, Sanibel.
I’m about to say something I’ve never told anyone. Long ago (early 90’s) I had the most magical encounter with a gentleman on a beach on Sanibel. I’d give anything to be with him again. He lived there and I was just a naive Vermonter…. We Vermonters obviously haven’t a sea coast. My memory is still vivid. My heart breaks in learning the beautiful island’s damage. My love and prayers for it’s thrive.
"Show me a shell, and I'll probably tell you something I like about it." 🥰 Me too, although you've given me a new appreciation for some of them, like the prickly cockle. I'll be admiring their purple interiors now! I've been watching for some months now but only recently been able to comment (finally figured out I needed a you tube channel to post comments). Love your positivity!!
Sadly, it is not mostly repaired. All those condos along the beach are, at best, gutted. The blue-roofed buildings at 9:36 are Sanibel Arms West. My heart is there and it's so painful to see it that way.
Just love watching your videos! It is so calming and relaxing. So love your enthusiasm. It just brightens my day! Never hear someone that even makes garbage sound exciting! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. Like I said, makes my day! ❤😊
The lighthouse losing it's leg makes me 😢. I guess coming from a hurricane hit town I remember when I heard the main tall building in our town was badly damaged. It kind of makes your heart hurt. I am glad Sanibel is making it's comeback and the beach walk was fabulous as always. Thank you.
It was really awful not knowing what was going on down here but even if we stayed we still wouldn't have had info. There was no power and no internet. We had the radio but that was about it. I was SO relieved when I heard the lighthouse was still standing! 🙏🏼
Finally got to go shelling again. Went to Siesta key last week, not to many shells but found a few decent ones. Really enjoy your videos, keep up the great work.
Hurray! First again! I've been waiting! Good evening, dear Beach Angel! Glad to see you! I don't remember the lighthouse, but my only visit to Sanibel was when I was about nineteen. I had time to run from the parking lot to the shore, scoop up handfuls of shells into my rucksack and run back to the car! I got a few nice shells and a lot of "craft shells," but I was happy. I'll do better next time, as I have a plan. I like the disc docinias because they are so white and pristine. To pick up a joined pair would be great! I'm so glad I just read that shell book. I can relate better, now, to the shells you find. The book said that the black shells come from sulfurous soil under the sand, indicating that, a long time ago, that area was a lagoon and not an open sea beach. Cool! I LOVE the calico scallops with the sunray patterns streaking up from the umbo to the edge. They look like the sunrise! Beautiful operculum! Great managrove propagule! I'd throw it back as far as I could, to give it a chance to sail farther! Did you know they often sail upright so their roots are sticking down, maybe to enable rooting. Great pen shell! I used to collect those when I was a kid, but they're more trouble than your fighting conchs! Those carditas are very pretty! I knew that feathers from songbirds and raptors are illegal. However, if you hold a Bureau of Indian Affairs Identification card designating you as an Indigenous Person of an Affiliated Tribe, you are allowed to possess and use certain feathers (eagles, hawks and some owls), in religious ceremonies. I wonder if you could drill the nicker nuts to make a necklace? That would be cool! Oh, the lighthouse at last! It's a real survivor, just like all you wonderful people of Lee County! God bless all of you! Pretty little paper fig! Apple murexes, too! Joy, joy! Speaking of joy, it's beach time! How that blessed sound washes over my landlocked soul! I see two seahorses, back to back, in that calico scallop! That red scallop is strangely beautiful. Finally, a fighting conch! You have actually gotten me to develop a new appreciation for fighting conchs. They are very pretty! Beach Angel, you made a good haul today! Now for the doves! Oh, I never heard that poem before! Now I'll have to find a broken sand dollar! Hope all you virtual beachgoers have a great week! See you all next week on Kice and Dickman! Remember to leave nothing on the beach but your footprints in the sand! Good night, Beach Angel, great video! Much love, The Lost Mermaidu
Four years ago I couldn't have told you a bivalve from a gastropod or what the heck an operculum was. It's amazing how much one can learn when you're really interested. Lighthouse Park was so pretty with all its greenery, but it will come back. I'm just grateful we still have that lighthouse. Pieces of it had to be fished out from the bottom of the ocean when it was originally being constructed as the boat bringing the pieces over sank. Normally the destination doesn't matter, but this trip I really wanted to see that structure. Hopefully each visit will show more recovery progress! XOXOX
Sanibel does have gorgeous beaches and I’m sure the crowds will return. In the meantime you get to enjoy those beaches almost alone! The shell piles were amazing. Thanks for a lovely visit to the beach.
It’s late Sunday night and I’m really enjoying SWF in the middle of a lightning storm. Boy it was loud! The ground shook. It’s 1:43am and I hear a small bird outside. I hope it’s nest is okay. Great to see the lighthouse is still standing. I’ll see you next week 👋❤️👋
Thank you for sharing these updates and images. More great FFC finds! So good to see Sanibel. We went back a few months ago and weren't able to access the lighthouse area because parking was still closed so thank you so much for sharing this footage. We can't wait to get back and shell in this area because it's such a beautiful place and also contribute to some of the local businesses. Great restaurants there. So sad to see the buildings missing from around the lighthouse. Hopefully we have a quiet storm season and this area of Florida can continue to recover. Really great video. Thank you again!
I have a real problem with the FFCs. I do pretty good if I don't pick the shell up, but once in my hand there's a good chance I'm taking it home. I was dying to go back to the Lighthouse and didn't find out they were opening the parking lot until I had already been there. So parking is now open! It's so sad to see all the destruction but I just concentrate on the positive developments 😃 Thanks so much for watching and commenting!
Your videos/excursions are always so relaxing. I remember my mom telling me that little poem as a child during one of our vacations. I collected several sand dollars and one broke. I was upset but we sat down and fished out the five doves. I kept all the pieces together in my little ballerina jewelry box...Lol! Fond memories. I can't wait to see the process for cleaning and preserving them again. We knew how to clean but never knew about the white glue trick.
Your mom was a smart lady! There can be benefits to things that are wabi-wabi! I will show you how white the sand dollars get next week. They are still soaking in Hydrogen Peroxide!
I am so glad I found your channel. I so enjoy these weekly videos. Have been sick with respiratory problems lately and have been rewatching earlier videos. Your excitement makes me laugh, makes me feel better. I just can't wait to move down there. Hopefully sooner than later. I would love to go shelling with you one day. I think that would be so cool. Thank you for the videos. You Totally Rock!!!
Loved walking the beach with you and learning some more interesting beach facts. Watching the pelican dive near the lighthouse was cool. I was lucky enough to visit Sanibel yesterday. My last visit was about a month ago and I was so pleased to see the substantial progress that has been made on the island in the past month. The cleanup is so impressive. We visited Bowman's in the late morning so we didn't find much of a variety of shells but I did start a collection of colorful calico scallops. They just call to me. 😊 I was lucky enough to step on a good-sized lightning whelk while bobbing in the surf so my great day on the island turned into an even better one. We plan on returning at the end of July. Will any of the Sanibel beaches be better for shelling than others at that time? Is early morning usually best? Thank you.
It's always hit or miss on the beaches, but I go anyway and try at low tide if at all possible. July will be "slow" - however if one of those summer storms happens to be close enough it could kick up some shells for us. I would just spend as much time at the beach as possible. It increases your chances of getting struck by shell luck!
So glad to see you on Sanibel again. It's very sad that everything around the lighthouse is gone, but good to see the lighthouse itself is still standing . . . sort of. I loved the week I spent on Sanibel and was blessed with many wonderful shells. I don't travel any longer so I love going with you on your beach walks. Thanks for sharing!
Wow, the Murex Egg Casing was fascinating! Thanks, Sharmon, for always keeping it real and very, very interesting. I learn new 'stuff' with each of your vids. 😊
I had no idea about the sand dollars. That’s so cool!!! I love your videos. I live in the mountains of western North Carolina but I love the beach. Every week you take me to the ocean, my happy place. Thank you and have a great week!!
Good to hear Sanibel is accepting visitors. Was planning on staying somewhere like Ft Myers or even Punta Gorda but Punta Gorda is still trying to clean up as well.
Love your channel, would you please while on Sanibel beach scan along the beach the hotels, condos etc so that we can see how the construction is going for those of us that are anxiously awaiting the new construction and staying on the Island.
We are headed to FMB, Sanibel and Captiva on 7/29. Been watching so many of your videos since I found you! I've gotten very good at identifying shells thanks to you, lol. My almost 17 yo man-child is obsessed with shelling (which I find so sweet and cute!). Our Ohio house has soooooo many shells, lol. We have been to this area several times - all pre-Ian, so I'm preparing myself for what it will look like. This is where he wanted to go after I sent him links to your videos - and seriously, the kid just got back from the BVI! And we wanted to return and support all the local businesses. I will be watching your videos every week as we get ready for our trip. Now thinking we may try to do a tour up to Cayo Costa. So many shells, so little time! Let's go to the beach - and maybe we will see you out there!
You never know - I'm always out there somewhere! And if you are having a hard time finding shells - maybe try a tour to Kice Island. That place never seems to stop having shells!
It is wonderful seeing your video of Sanibel especially having just been there on opening day of the parking area and beach at the lighthouse. The amount of shells I found at low tide that evening was incredible. Some people even found Junonias buried in the sand. I wasn’t that lucky myself but I did find at least one of every shell listed on the FloridaShell guide and several more that were not listed. I can’t wait to go back again.
Hi Sharmon! Loved the trip to Sanibel Lighthouse. I found so many nicker nuts there back in 2022. I love those. And I am crazy about the egg cockles like you are the horse conchs! Can't pass one by. Can't wait to see Sanibel again this year. Thanks for taking us along!
I love the nicker nuts too; I've always just known them as one of the types of sea beans. They're so smooth & irresistible to the touch. I like keeping one in a pocket like a worry stone. Just a cool thing to find in Nature!
I am so happy you were able to go to Lighthouse Beach. I am sure it was a moment of relief and happiness and yet sad all at the same time, but I am really happy for you to be able to go! I can not believe the flip side of that calico scallop!!! OMG soooo beautiful!!! I will be headed to the Fort Meyers area in the next two months to look at perspective neighborhoods I would like to move to, while I am there I plan on spending lots of time in Sanibel. I will never know pre Ian beauty but I do know there is beauty in everything and that walk on the beach was priceless!!! Thank you 💕🐚🪸
Sanibel, how I love Sanibel!! If I find out if a person went to Florida, I’d ask them, Have you been to Sanibel looking for shells? Some say, Yes, and I loved it. Some say, Ya, it’s ok, but it’s the one beach I’d love to check out if I ever get down there. I was so upset when I saw it after H I. So happy to see it trying to get back to normal. It’s wonderful that you did a video of what it looks like now and that you went to the lighthouse, thank you!!🩷 I’m going to collect sand dollars and get the turtle doves and I’ll just do it to broken ones. 🥰🐬 The name of that nut is just so comical!!😂 So cool seeing the Cuban land snail. The one that landed in or around you pool after H I was bigger than the ones you saw today if I remember correctly. Thank you for your beautiful beach walk video, it was great!! Have a great week!!🥰🐬
I am thoroughly impressed with your memory! I did indeed fish one brown cuban snail out of my pool after the hurricane! I can't believe you remembered. I actually found two more of them on my morning walk in my neighborhood last week. Too bad they aren't albino moon snails!
Lol. "Show me a shell and I'll tell you something I like about it." That's a great SS quote!😊 Wow! Can't believe how different the lighthouse looks from when I was there last summer...😢 Well I guess I made a wabi Sabi shell sculpture the other day because I kept 2 brilliant pieces of shells. One was a beautiful gold inside chunk of a pear whelk and the other was the piece of purple FFC I think I sent you a picture of. Happy to see shells there! I'm hopeful tomorrow will be better here. The onshore wind has finally died down...😊 Thanks Sharmon! xxoo
I am DYING to pick up more turbans! I have this lamp I want to fill with them so I'm excited about bringing my husband and 3 shells bags when we do make it up there- LOL! Yes, Sanibel did get hit right on the chin but we are resilient us Floridians! After a summer of good rains a lot of the green should come back.
Love your vide, love the shells, love the water and critters. So, in regards to those particular things, what’s not to love? We were there part of last February and March and enjoyed it so much. Stayed in Ft Myers. Hoping for a repeat visit this year. Keep working, it’s going to get there, maybe even better than ever BECAUSE of the adversity.
Lighthouse Beach still looks wonderful! Thank you for taking us along. I was In Jacksonville, Florida over Father’s Day weekend and went to Mickler’s Beach. I thought of you because I found a Lady-in- Waiting Venus clam (instantly recognized thanks to your videos!) and several Wentletraps in dried up tide pools. Yay!
When I have a hard time finding the larger shells I generally end up trying for minis or otherwise changing up my strategy. I've used the Seek app in the past, it's pretty cool. Briefly tried it with shells and it seemed to have worked, albeit the shells I used were a FFC and a Lightning whelk, which may have been too easy. I think its main selling point are plants and otherwise things that don't frantically run away from you. Happy shelling!
I have managed to ID a few birds, butterflies, a snake and bugs with that app too. It's pretty neat. What I would give to have one resource to ID all the shells we find!!
I so enjoy your channel. I'm from Oklahoma, but I just love the beach. In 2020, my family took a vacation and drove to sanibel Island. We hit about 4 other beaches on the way. I would do it again in a heart beat.
It is hard to see the Lighthouse area so devastated! I'm so thankful I was able to vacation on Sanibel last year before the hurricane. I want to go back so much but I want my kids safe from the debris in the water as well. Hopefully, we can do it next summer!
Hi Sharmon, Thank you so much for taking us with you on your beach walk! I'm so glad to see Sanibel's lighthouse! Like you, when hurricane Ian happened, I was afraid that the lighthouse was taken by the sea. I'm happy that it survived! But it's sad that the beautiful houses next to the lighthouse are gone. Are there plans to rebuild these houses? Even though it's summer, you still found quite a nice collection of shells! Love the little kitten paws. Next week's video will be fun! Looks like you had to use more than one container to get all those sand dollars home. 😅 I hope you have a wonderful week. I wish you all the best, my dear beach friend! Big hug and lots of love, xoxo ❤️, Ilona
Hi Ilona! I am not sure if they plan on rebuilding the groundskeepers homes at the base of the lighthouse. I suspect they will build something as it does have a wonderful history. The boat bringing the lighthouse structure over to Sanibel sank, and pieces had to be recovered from the bottom of the ocean. You can't keep that lighthouse down! And when I go to certain areas I bring different "equipment" because I know what to expect. I was sure to have a nice container for all those sand dollars!
Hello.... Ireland by the sea at bedtime here.... :) THIS time... Im IN bed already and watching ... I will return in the mornin. Yayyyyyy... shelly WARM sandy dreams tonight ! And... BTW.. I was very nearly triggered by the LACK of FFC's through the majority of the video! You saved me at the eleventh hour !
I'm all over the place with my shells! I have shells on Etsy, I have a ton of shells I want to shoot and sell and I also want to set up my own store on my website. So yes to all of the above. I wasn't doing "custom" orders as it was stressing me out, but If there are some certain shells you can't live without shoot me an email at swfbeachlife@gmail.com
Hi my dear, can you tell me if the Sea Beans are the same as the a Nicker Nut? As far as feathers, I new that the Eagle feather is illegal to collect but never knew about all feathers. Oops, shhhhh, I have a lot of doves and once in a while, I do gather the beautiful white feathers.
I won't tell about the dove feathers - it can be our little secret! Sea Beans are seeds from vines in rain forests that cross the ocean and end up on our shores. Nickernuts are seeds from legumes - not quite as exciting so they are indeed different. I only have one hamburger bean but plenty of those nicker nuts.
Like a Phoenix, Sanibel is risen from the ashes. I was so worried for Sanibel during Ian, happy to see she is still beautiful and has shells. Lovely walk too. Stay safe xx
There are times when I still can't believe that hurricane happened. Piles of concrete where a hotel used to sit. It will be okay in a few years but it's going to take a lot of time. ❤️
I walked from Tarpon Beach to Lighthouse beach back in January. Saw full refrigerators...dumpsters...embedded in the sand. There she was...still standing, that beautiful sign of resiliency, our Sanibel Strong Lighthouse!!!
I spent months having the beach to myself most days.
There is something about that lighthouse isn't there? We still have a long way to go in the clean up department but the beach is still beautiful. I hope you and yours are okay!
Thank you so much for taking me back to my old stomping grounds. I love seeing how much repairs they have done to her. She is still in ICU but she's looking better each time you go to our favorite gal, Sanibel.
Yes, she's off life support but she still needs some TLC. We just need people to come and spend some money here!
@@SWFBeachLife I'm in Indianapolis, Indiana. I would LOVE to come back and spend time ...AND MONEY!! Maybe one day.
"Just show me a shell and I'll tell you something I like about it." ----can't love this quote more!!
LOL - someone else picked up on that line. It's so true - I just love these little calcium deposits!
The part I enjoyed the most today was the last with your poem and the five doves, beautiful!
Hooray, Sanibel! 🐚 😎
So happy to see Sanibel♥️! Have you received your new shell bag yet?
I did! I got it from sunsportcanvas.com.
One of these episodes I'll remember to tell everyone!
Beautiful day there, thanks for taking us along!
I’m about to say something I’ve never told anyone.
Long ago (early 90’s) I had the most magical encounter with a gentleman on a beach on Sanibel. I’d give anything to be with him again.
He lived there and I was just a naive Vermonter…. We Vermonters obviously haven’t a sea coast.
My memory is still vivid.
My heart breaks in learning the beautiful island’s damage. My love and prayers for it’s thrive.
What a magical memory! Hold onto that special moment you were able to create! ❤️
Thank you for sharing. You made me smile with a giggle in my heart💜
I used to hate Sundays...knowing it is back to work tomorrow. But thanks to you, I now look forward to Sunday !
Thanks for ALWAYS picking up trash!! Your LOVE for the beach is BEAUTIFUL. ❤🧡💛💚💙💜
Thank you! 🙏🏼
Thank you for another peaceful, informative adventure. I look forward to spending time with you every week. It is my mindfulness time! ❤️🐚
Oh Lighthouse Beach….😢. The view of the parking lot is quite a sight. Thanks for the walk and see!
So glad to see Sanibel again the recovery will happen! Thanks for a great video, my Sunday’s are not complete until I watch your video. Thank you!
You're too sweet! 🙏🏼
"Show me a shell, and I'll probably tell you something I like about it." 🥰 Me too, although you've given me a new appreciation for some of them, like the prickly cockle. I'll be admiring their purple interiors now! I've been watching for some months now but only recently been able to comment (finally figured out I needed a you tube channel to post comments). Love your positivity!!
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment!
Yes to 'chunky beachscapes' = so many treasures.
I love a good chunky beach!!
Thank you for taking us along! I was glad to see the lighthouse! Have a great week. See you Sunday!! XOXO
I love those kitten paws ….
Cool to see all the different egg casings
Lighthouse oh Lighthouse how strong art thou? Yaaay 4 being there oh Lighthouse...thank u Ms.sharmon
What a wonderful blessing to go back to Sanibel lighthouse beach it is so nice to go back and enjoy this beautiful beach with you 🩵😎🏖️🐚🐬
Thanks again for the BEST part of my Sunday Sharmon! ❣
As always, love from Minnesota! 🎉❤🐚
Loved the beach walk and learning as we go! That was refreshing!
I LOOK FORWARD TO THESE EVERY WEEK.🧡👏🏼
Thank you!!! 🙏🏼
I love what you showed us about the Sand dollar!!
Yay! Sanibel is open! I'm glad it's mostly repaired after hurricane Ian. Thank you for taking me along on another great adventure. 🥰🥰🥰
Sadly, it is not mostly repaired. All those condos along the beach are, at best, gutted. The blue-roofed buildings at 9:36 are Sanibel Arms West. My heart is there and it's so painful to see it that way.
Hey, thanks for the trash pickup you’re doing! When I walk my dog up here in pinellas, I do the same. Nice for wherever your neighborhood is!!
Thank you! I know we can make a positive impact when we leave things better than when we arrived!
Thank you Sharon for a lovely beach walk to the Lighthouse 🩵
I miss Sanibel. Thank you for taking us along. ❤️
Beautiful day at the beach ! ❤thanks for sharing
Just love watching your videos! It is so calming and relaxing. So love your enthusiasm. It just brightens my day! Never hear someone that even makes garbage sound exciting! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. Like I said, makes my day! ❤😊
Thank you so much for coming to the beach with me!
I felt like I was in a class, today.
Thanks for the lesson Professor Charmaine🍎 I enjoyed every minute. I like that term, wabi-sabi
Some very beautiful colors today! 😍
The lighthouse losing it's leg makes me 😢. I guess coming from a hurricane hit town I remember when I heard the main tall building in our town was badly damaged. It kind of makes your heart hurt. I am glad Sanibel is making it's comeback and the beach walk was fabulous as always. Thank you.
It was really awful not knowing what was going on down here but even if we stayed we still wouldn't have had info. There was no power and no internet. We had the radio but that was about it. I was SO relieved when I heard the lighthouse was still standing! 🙏🏼
Lovely to see Sanibel and the Lighthouse, thank you x
Your show is the best. Love 💞 it. Love 💞 it.
Thank you so much!! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Finally got to go shelling again. Went to Siesta key last week, not to many shells but found a few decent ones.
Really enjoy your videos, keep up the great work.
Your knowledge is so vast!! Thank you!! I love your videos!!!
My dream has always been living on the beach. It must be so peaceful
Thanks for the sand dollar dove explanation. I didn’t know that.
So good to see Sanibel and the lighthouse! I especially liked Lear I g your new phrase: wabi sabi!
Thank you! 😃
Hurray! First again! I've been waiting! Good evening, dear Beach Angel! Glad to see you!
I don't remember the lighthouse, but my only visit to Sanibel was when I was about nineteen. I had time to run from the parking lot to the shore, scoop up handfuls of shells into my rucksack and run back to the car! I got a few nice shells and a lot of "craft shells," but I was happy. I'll do better next time, as I have a plan.
I like the disc docinias because they are so white and pristine. To pick up a joined pair would be great!
I'm so glad I just read that shell book. I can relate better, now, to the shells you find. The book said that the black shells come from sulfurous soil under the sand, indicating that, a long time ago, that area was a lagoon and not an open sea beach. Cool!
I LOVE the calico scallops with the sunray patterns streaking up from the umbo to the edge. They look like the sunrise!
Beautiful operculum! Great managrove propagule! I'd throw it back as far as I could, to give it a chance to sail farther! Did you know they often sail upright so their roots are sticking down, maybe to enable rooting.
Great pen shell! I used to collect those when I was a kid, but they're more trouble than your fighting conchs! Those carditas are very pretty!
I knew that feathers from songbirds and raptors are illegal. However, if you hold a Bureau of Indian Affairs Identification card designating you as an Indigenous Person of an Affiliated Tribe, you are allowed to possess and use certain feathers (eagles, hawks and some owls), in religious ceremonies.
I wonder if you could drill the nicker nuts to make a necklace? That would be cool!
Oh, the lighthouse at last! It's a real survivor, just like all you wonderful people of Lee County! God bless all of you!
Pretty little paper fig! Apple murexes, too! Joy, joy!
Speaking of joy, it's beach time! How that blessed sound washes over my landlocked soul!
I see two seahorses, back to back, in that calico scallop! That red scallop is strangely beautiful.
Finally, a fighting conch! You have actually gotten me to develop a new appreciation for fighting conchs. They are very pretty!
Beach Angel, you made a good haul today! Now for the doves! Oh, I never heard that poem before! Now I'll have to find a broken sand dollar!
Hope all you virtual beachgoers have a great week! See you all next week on Kice and Dickman!
Remember to leave nothing on the beach but your footprints in the sand!
Good night, Beach Angel, great video!
Much love, The Lost Mermaidu
Four years ago I couldn't have told you a bivalve from a gastropod or what the heck an operculum was. It's amazing how much one can learn when you're really interested. Lighthouse Park was so pretty with all its greenery, but it will come back. I'm just grateful we still have that lighthouse. Pieces of it had to be fished out from the bottom of the ocean when it was originally being constructed as the boat bringing the pieces over sank. Normally the destination doesn't matter, but this trip I really wanted to see that structure. Hopefully each visit will show more recovery progress! XOXOX
Watching your videos makes me want to visit Sanibel Island!
Thank you for visiting my favorite beach ! And that was an access new to me..thanks again.
Sanibel does have gorgeous beaches and I’m sure the crowds will return. In the meantime you get to enjoy those beaches almost alone! The shell piles were amazing. Thanks for a lovely visit to the beach.
It's "slow" season right now anyway, but holy smokes there is no one on the beaches! I'll enjoy it while it lasts!
I went to Pass a Grille beach today and found my first limpid. I am going to Sanibel soon. Thanks for the awesome video. Have a Blessed Week!
Congrats on that limpet!
Just got back from two weeks in the Smokey Mountains and it was so good to see your video! Great that Sanibel is open again.
Thank you so much! Once again a great video. Calming and peaceful.
Great video and I love that lighthouse, also the broken shells are beautiful and I will always remember Wabi Sabi, thank you for sharing
Sanibel stay strong!!!
See you soon.
It’s late Sunday night and I’m really enjoying SWF in the middle of a lightning storm.
Boy it was loud!
The ground shook.
It’s 1:43am and I hear a small bird outside. I hope it’s nest is okay.
Great to see the lighthouse is still standing.
I’ll see you next week 👋❤️👋
Thank you for sharing these updates and images. More great FFC finds! So good to see Sanibel. We went back a few months ago and weren't able to access the lighthouse area because parking was still closed so thank you so much for sharing this footage. We can't wait to get back and shell in this area because it's such a beautiful place and also contribute to some of the local businesses. Great restaurants there. So sad to see the buildings missing from around the lighthouse. Hopefully we have a quiet storm season and this area of Florida can continue to recover. Really great video. Thank you again!
I have a real problem with the FFCs. I do pretty good if I don't pick the shell up, but once in my hand there's a good chance I'm taking it home.
I was dying to go back to the Lighthouse and didn't find out they were opening the parking lot until I had already been there. So parking is now open! It's so sad to see all the destruction but I just concentrate on the positive developments 😃 Thanks so much for watching and commenting!
So happy to see the sea life renewing itself. ❤️
Thanks Sharmon, lovely walk on the beach.
* Thanks for the app for plants. Very cool.. I love your fountain of information. Blessings.
I searched the App Store and couldn’t find the app. Please share where to download please🫶🏻
Your videos/excursions are always so relaxing. I remember my mom telling me that little poem as a child during one of our vacations. I collected several sand dollars and one broke. I was upset but we sat down and fished out the five doves. I kept all the pieces together in my little ballerina jewelry box...Lol! Fond memories. I can't wait to see the process for cleaning and preserving them again. We knew how to clean but never knew about the white glue trick.
Your mom was a smart lady! There can be benefits to things that are wabi-wabi! I will show you how white the sand dollars get next week. They are still soaking in Hydrogen Peroxide!
Love seeing the Lighthouse! We are excited to get back to Sanibel in the fall for the first time since Hurricane Ian!
I want to thank you. You inspired me to go shelling which I dearly love. Went to shell key today and had a blast
You are very welcome Michele! I'm glad you got out there and had a great time!
Nice Sunshine shells!
I am so glad I found your channel. I so enjoy these weekly videos. Have been sick with respiratory problems lately and have been rewatching earlier videos. Your excitement makes me laugh, makes me feel better. I just can't wait to move down there. Hopefully sooner than later. I would love to go shelling with you one day. I think that would be so cool. Thank you for the videos. You Totally Rock!!!
I hope you are feeling better! When we decided to move I waited 3 long years and it was worth every minute!
Loved walking the beach with you and learning some more interesting beach facts. Watching the pelican dive near the lighthouse was cool. I was lucky enough to visit Sanibel yesterday. My last visit was about a month ago and I was so pleased to see the substantial progress that has been made on the island in the past month. The cleanup is so impressive. We visited Bowman's in the late morning so we didn't find much of a variety of shells but I did start a collection of colorful calico scallops. They just call to me. 😊 I was lucky enough to step on a good-sized lightning whelk while bobbing in the surf so my great day on the island turned into an even better one. We plan on returning at the end of July. Will any of the Sanibel beaches be better for shelling than others at that time? Is early morning usually best? Thank you.
It's always hit or miss on the beaches, but I go anyway and try at low tide if at all possible. July will be "slow" - however if one of those summer storms happens to be close enough it could kick up some shells for us. I would just spend as much time at the beach as possible. It increases your chances of getting struck by shell luck!
So glad to see you on Sanibel again. It's very sad that everything around the lighthouse is gone, but good to see the lighthouse itself is still standing . . . sort of. I loved the week I spent on Sanibel and was blessed with many wonderful shells. I don't travel any longer so I love going with you on your beach walks. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for coming along with me on my beach walks!
Wow, the Murex Egg Casing was fascinating! Thanks, Sharmon, for always keeping it real and very, very interesting. I learn new 'stuff' with each of your vids. 😊
I like "slowing down" in the summer. It lights up a different part of my brain and gets me thinking about different parts of the beach 😃
Thank you so much for this and the ending with the sand dollar. So awesome 🥰
I had no idea about the sand dollars. That’s so cool!!! I love your videos. I live in the mountains of western North Carolina but I love the beach. Every week you take me to the ocean, my happy place. Thank you and have a great week!!
Thank you for coming to the beach with me! I hope you have a great week too!
Another great video...loved the doves and the poem ❤
Thank you so much for your videos!
You are so welcome!
Good to hear Sanibel is accepting visitors. Was planning on staying somewhere like Ft Myers or even Punta Gorda but Punta Gorda is still trying to clean up as well.
Love your channel, would you please while on Sanibel beach scan along the beach the hotels, condos etc so that we can see how the construction is going for those of us that are anxiously awaiting the new construction and staying on the Island.
Thank you for coming along with me!
Enjoy watching your beach visits every Sunday evening! Pittsburgh, PA
Thank you!!!🙏🏼
We are headed to FMB, Sanibel and Captiva on 7/29. Been watching so many of your videos since I found you! I've gotten very good at identifying shells thanks to you, lol. My almost 17 yo man-child is obsessed with shelling (which I find so sweet and cute!). Our Ohio house has soooooo many shells, lol. We have been to this area several times - all pre-Ian, so I'm preparing myself for what it will look like. This is where he wanted to go after I sent him links to your videos - and seriously, the kid just got back from the BVI! And we wanted to return and support all the local businesses. I will be watching your videos every week as we get ready for our trip. Now thinking we may try to do a tour up to Cayo Costa. So many shells, so little time! Let's go to the beach - and maybe we will see you out there!
You never know - I'm always out there somewhere! And if you are having a hard time finding shells - maybe try a tour to Kice Island. That place never seems to stop having shells!
Arielle Ford has a book called: “Wabi Sabi Love” I believe.
It is wonderful seeing your video of Sanibel especially having just been there on opening day of the parking area and beach at the lighthouse. The amount of shells I found at low tide that evening was incredible. Some people even found Junonias buried in the sand. I wasn’t that lucky myself but I did find at least one of every shell listed on the FloridaShell guide and several more that were not listed. I can’t wait to go back again.
Whoa - really? Lighthouse beach has NEVER been that good to me. I'm glad she was to you though. It was her way of thank you for the visit! 🌴
Hi Sharmon! Loved the trip to Sanibel Lighthouse. I found so many nicker nuts there back in 2022. I love those. And I am crazy about the egg cockles like you are the horse conchs! Can't pass one by. Can't wait to see Sanibel again this year. Thanks for taking us along!
I love the nicker nuts too; I've always just known them as one of the types of sea beans. They're so smooth & irresistible to the touch. I like keeping one in a pocket like a worry stone. Just a cool thing to find in Nature!
And I love that you can feel that little seed on the inside knock around. So many neat things to appreciate at the beach!
I am so happy you were able to go to Lighthouse Beach. I am sure it was a moment of relief and happiness and yet sad all at the same time, but I am really happy for you to be able to go! I can not believe the flip side of that calico scallop!!! OMG soooo beautiful!!! I will be headed to the Fort Meyers area in the next two months to look at perspective neighborhoods I would like to move to, while I am there I plan on spending lots of time in Sanibel. I will never know pre Ian beauty but I do know there is beauty in everything and that walk on the beach was priceless!!! Thank you 💕🐚🪸
Even after that hurricane I love here! The buildings are going to take time to repair but the beach is beautiful!
So miss and feel bad that I never got my kids to Sanibel back in 2018. Love the white sand and the warmest waters
I’m a big fan of shelling and I even use a sand sifter to get shells
Sanibel, how I love Sanibel!! If I find out if a person went to Florida, I’d ask them, Have you been to Sanibel looking for shells? Some say, Yes, and I loved it. Some say, Ya, it’s ok, but it’s the one beach I’d love to check out if I ever get down there. I was so upset when I saw it after H I. So happy to see it trying to get back to normal.
It’s wonderful that you did a video of what it looks like now and that you went to the lighthouse, thank you!!🩷
I’m going to collect sand dollars and get the turtle doves and I’ll just do it to broken ones. 🥰🐬
The name of that nut is just so comical!!😂 So cool seeing the Cuban land snail. The one that landed in or around you pool after H I was bigger than the ones you saw today if I remember correctly.
Thank you for your beautiful beach walk video, it was great!! Have a great week!!🥰🐬
I am thoroughly impressed with your memory! I did indeed fish one brown cuban snail out of my pool after the hurricane! I can't believe you remembered. I actually found two more of them on my morning walk in my neighborhood last week. Too bad they aren't albino moon snails!
Sharmon…you should develop a seashell app! 🐚
It's been added to "the list"!
Love those sea shell hoping also to have them especially sand dollar ❤...
I can’t believe how you identify the different egg casings so quickly!
Lol. "Show me a shell and I'll tell you something I like about it." That's a great SS quote!😊 Wow! Can't believe how different the lighthouse looks from when I was there last summer...😢 Well I guess I made a wabi Sabi shell sculpture the other day because I kept 2 brilliant pieces of shells. One was a beautiful gold inside chunk of a pear whelk and the other was the piece of purple FFC I think I sent you a picture of. Happy to see shells there! I'm hopeful tomorrow will be better here. The onshore wind has finally died down...😊 Thanks Sharmon! xxoo
I am DYING to pick up more turbans! I have this lamp I want to fill with them so I'm excited about bringing my husband and 3 shells bags when we do make it up there- LOL!
Yes, Sanibel did get hit right on the chin but we are resilient us Floridians! After a summer of good rains a lot of the green should come back.
Love your vide, love the shells, love the water and critters. So, in regards to those particular things, what’s not to love? We were there part of last February and March and enjoyed it so much. Stayed in Ft Myers. Hoping for a repeat visit this year. Keep working, it’s going to get there, maybe even better than ever BECAUSE of the adversity.
I like your attitude! ❤️
Lighthouse Beach still looks wonderful! Thank you for taking us along. I was In Jacksonville, Florida over Father’s Day weekend and went to Mickler’s Beach. I thought of you because I found a Lady-in- Waiting Venus clam (instantly recognized thanks to your videos!) and several Wentletraps in dried up tide pools. Yay!
I love finding those wentletraps!
When I have a hard time finding the larger shells I generally end up trying for minis or otherwise changing up my strategy. I've used the Seek app in the past, it's pretty cool. Briefly tried it with shells and it seemed to have worked, albeit the shells I used were a FFC and a Lightning whelk, which may have been too easy. I think its main selling point are plants and otherwise things that don't frantically run away from you. Happy shelling!
I have managed to ID a few birds, butterflies, a snake and bugs with that app too. It's pretty neat. What I would give to have one resource to ID all the shells we find!!
So glad that recovery is going good, pass a grille is having a bad erosion problem now and there was a tiny line of sargassum lining most of the beach
UGH! I hope the winds change and the situation gets better.
@@SWFBeachLife same
Loving your Sunday videos,please don’t stop making them. I don’t like the short videos that everyone is making!
I so enjoy your channel. I'm from Oklahoma, but I just love the beach. In 2020, my family took a vacation and drove to sanibel Island. We hit about 4 other beaches on the way. I would do it again in a heart beat.
It's a little beat up, but it's still beautiful!
It is hard to see the Lighthouse area so devastated! I'm so thankful I was able to vacation on Sanibel last year before the hurricane. I want to go back so much but I want my kids safe from the debris in the water as well. Hopefully, we can do it next summer!
By next summer the place should really be looking good!
It breaks my heart to see the island like this. I wonder how old those lighthouse buildings were. You can rebuild houses but not history.
Hi Sharmon,
Thank you so much for taking us with you on your beach walk!
I'm so glad to see Sanibel's lighthouse!
Like you, when hurricane Ian happened, I was afraid that the lighthouse was taken by the sea.
I'm happy that it survived! But it's sad that the beautiful houses next to the lighthouse are gone.
Are there plans to rebuild these houses?
Even though it's summer, you still found quite a nice collection of shells! Love the little kitten paws.
Next week's video will be fun! Looks like you had to use more than one container to get all those sand dollars home. 😅
I hope you have a wonderful week. I wish you all the best, my dear beach friend!
Big hug and lots of love, xoxo ❤️, Ilona
Hi Ilona! I am not sure if they plan on rebuilding the groundskeepers homes at the base of the lighthouse. I suspect they will build something as it does have a wonderful history. The boat bringing the lighthouse structure over to Sanibel sank, and pieces had to be recovered from the bottom of the ocean. You can't keep that lighthouse down!
And when I go to certain areas I bring different "equipment" because I know what to expect. I was sure to have a nice container for all those sand dollars!
Can’t wait to get there in August 🐚
Hello.... Ireland by the sea at bedtime here.... :) THIS time... Im IN bed already and watching ... I will return in the mornin. Yayyyyyy... shelly WARM sandy dreams tonight ! And... BTW.. I was very nearly triggered by the LACK of FFC's through the majority of the video! You saved me at the eleventh hour !
LOLOLOL! Triggered by lack of FFCs - it happens, but hopefully we won't have TOO many of those beach visits ❤️🐚🌴🌊
Love your videos! Are you still picking shells for people or just selling what is on your Etsy store now? Thank you for all you do.
I'm all over the place with my shells! I have shells on Etsy, I have a ton of shells I want to shoot and sell and I also want to set up my own store on my website. So yes to all of the above. I wasn't doing "custom" orders as it was stressing me out, but If there are some certain shells you can't live without shoot me an email at swfbeachlife@gmail.com
Sanibel still looks great. So does the shells and the lighthouse
Beautiful place
What type of plant does a nicker nut make? Cool little bean!
They come from legumes - go figure right?
Will new palm trees be planted to restore that visual beauty?
That's a good question. I assume for now they are still in clean up mode.
I appreciate the fact that you have your favorite shells but can you look at other ones for those of us who have different likings, please.
Hey hey, can I ask if you could do a video telling us all how to tell the difference between the murexes.
I can't promise I'll do a whole video, but I will compare the 2 the next time I find them both!
Hi my dear, can you tell me if the Sea Beans are the same as the a Nicker Nut? As far as feathers, I new that the Eagle feather is illegal to collect but never knew about all feathers. Oops, shhhhh, I have a lot of doves and once in a while, I do gather the beautiful white feathers.
I won't tell about the dove feathers - it can be our little secret! Sea Beans are seeds from vines in rain forests that cross the ocean and end up on our shores. Nickernuts are seeds from legumes - not quite as exciting so they are indeed different. I only have one hamburger bean but plenty of those nicker nuts.
Thank you!!!❤️
I have a question can you keep a small unoccupied Florida horse conch. I love your videos by the way.
You can keep any unoccupied shells you find here in Southwest Florida. There are plenty to go around!