SEASHELLS!!

INTJohn · Dec 2, 2024

Above: conch I found few years back about 10.5”
Below: conch found yesterday and it too is about 10.5” so they’re tied as the largest Queen Conch shells I’ve ever found.

My shell books agree that 12” is maximum size so the 2 I’ve found are close to as big as they get.

bch bum jonny

INTJohn · Dec 3, 2024

Another fantastic find! Yesterday; while exploring the low tide rock areas discovered a Bahama Sea Star also known as Red Cushion Sea Star.

https://www.biminisharklab.com/fauna-of-bimini-1/red-cushion-sea-star

They are rare to find and on the Florida Protected Do Not Disturb List. I saw one years back kayaking and never got a pik cause I don’t carry my fone but I was only a few hundred yards from the van with this 1 and went back and got the fone.

I have been fortunate with the assortment of rare finds these last several days.

bch bum jonny livin the dream!

vanbrat · Dec 3, 2024

I am glad that you are finding good stuff on the beaches this year. It is making me rethink our winter get away. We had thought about Florida last year, but poop got in the way. And I was worried that all the storms from this fall would have made things to messed up for this year but maybe I can finally get back there this winter.

INTJohn · Dec 7, 2024

Found 2 more nice Queenys yesterday………

Have had a great time all week looking for the large flared Queen Conchs. Every where I’ve searched I have found hundreds of Conchs that are alive. I’m not exaggerating on that number. Of various sizes too - from 3” to the large mature ones with that awesome flare.

Also, several Sunrise Tellins which are just beautiful and like the name given them their colorful appearance is as striking as a beautiful sunrise. A couple sea biscuits, too.
Will post a pik later.

livin the dream

bch bum jonny

INTJohn · Dec 7, 2024

Sunrise Tellins - pretty & colorful little shells. Fairly common and I find at least 1 everyday here in the Keys. I give most of them away but kept the trio above.

bch bum jonny

INTJohn · Dec 10, 2024

Live Queen Conchs in shallows at low tide. There are literally hundreds of them in this colony and yesterday I stood in one spot and counted 34 without moving.
A spectacular sight!

bch bum jon the shellin vagabon

Sky King · Dec 10, 2024

My John what a big Conch you have

INTJohn · Dec 10, 2024

Meanwhile I’m back looking for seashells.
ciao
bch bum jon the vagabon

twomountainlions · Dec 12, 2024

One certainly won't starve there...

INTJohn · Dec 16, 2024

Above & below are pix of a manatee skeleton I discovered today while exploring the low tide mud flat estuaries looking for seashells and whatever I discover.

Above is the skull & mandible.

Several years ago I discovered a manatee skeleton about 100 yards from this 2nd one and this place adjoins a relatively narrow and vary busy boatway and I suspect these manatee are victims of boat/propeller collisions.

bch bum jonny

INTJohn · Dec 22, 2024

In terms of overall quality of size, color and condition, probably the best Alphabet Cone I’ve ever found.

itsa keeper!
bch bum jon

INTJohn · Dec 27, 2024

Collected these shells at MacArthur St Park last couple days. Lotsa other shells that I have enuff of too.
That cone bottom right - first one like it I’ve ever found called a Flame Cone they are very rare washed up ; also a small Junonia piece and the awesome rare blue colored sea glass from a very old cork top bottle and a couple lil Tritons.

https://www.shellmuseum.org/post/shell-of-the-week-the-flame-cone

INTJohn · Dec 28, 2024

Today was hamburger bean day:
https://www.backyardnature.net/yucatan/mucuna.htm
and another broken Junanio piece.
Maybe I can find enough junanio pieces to cobble one together with some glue.

bch bum jon floundering on

vanbrat · Dec 30, 2024

Hamburger beans? So are those seeds of some type?

Gnome In Plaid · Dec 31, 2024

vanbrat said:
Hamburger beans? So are those seeds of some type?

I was told they come up from the Amazon river by a Florida Keys beach comber decades ago. That's all I know.

INTJohn · Dec 31, 2024

vanbrat said:
Hamburger beans? So are those seeds of some type?

Gnome In Plaid said:
I was told they come up from the Amazon river by a Florida Keys beach comber decades ago. That's all I know.

I included an fyi link in the prev post that tells all about them l.

vanbrat · Dec 31, 2024

So now I have something else to look for on the beaches down there.

Gnome In Plaid · Dec 31, 2024

INTJohn said:
I included an fyi link in the prev post that tells all about them l.

Thank you, that's very considerate.

INTJohn · Dec 31, 2024

vanbrat said:
So now I have something else to look for on the beaches down there.

There are 25 pages of various sea seeds (beans) in my Living Beaches beachcomber book that can be found on Florida’s beaches. (See Post No 7 of this thread; pgs 299 - 324.)

One could make just that a separate hobby. I’ve collected some like the “hamburger beans” cause I think they’re interesting but others I don’t bother with.

Coconuts

are the bigger ones.

bch bum jonny

INTJohn · Jan 2, 2025

Yesterday, 1 Jan, 2025!
Yep, found another awesome Queen Conch flare shell.

Found 2 others that were alive and gently returned those to the place I found them.

I never tire of hunting for these shells as I find so many other interesting things as well even if I don’t find a shell that’s a keeper.

exploring is a blast

bch bum jon

SEASHELLS!!

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