Sanibel Island shelling

THE FINEST SHELLING IN THE WORLD ON SANIBEL ISLAND
Some of the finest shelling in the world is to be had on the shores of Sanibel and its out-islands. Sixteen miles of shell-strewn beaches are a sure thing for coaxing shellers to emulate the “Sanibel Stoop”, where the majority of beach walkers are bent double in their quest for conches, banded tulips, coquina shells, lightning whelks, scallops and even baby's ears, a smoothly beautiful white shell with an uncanny resemblance to its namesake.

On an early morning boat tour to the out-islands for a day of shelling with Mike Fuery, the island's only shelling captain, I marvelled at the perfect judgement of an osprey that captured a fish, then rose heavily from the sea to fly directly across our path. With its wickedly sharp talons locked on too weighty a catch, the osprey would be unable to rise and could drown.

Photos copyright Anne Gordon

Posted by Anne Gordon on Thursday 10th February