Sunday, August 31, 2014

Frequenly Asked Questions

In 2010, I moved to Panama City Beach, Florida, and while walking on the beach, I would pick up seashells, even broken ones, and treasured them. Over time, I became more selective and discovered that some shells were buried in the sand and in 2011, our beach was restored which resulted in lots of buried seashells. Now when I walk, I always take my trowel, 2 plastic bags, my camera, my phone and if hot, a beach umbrella to protect from the sun.

Note: Please refill and pack your holes to avoid injury to others!



Here are a few questions I get asked...

1. Where do you dig?
I dig where I can walk or ride my bike which would be from about beach exit 14 to beach exit 1 and also in St Andrews State Park.

2. How do know where to dig?
I don't know. It's a guessing game and that's part of the fun/challenge. However, when I find a good spot, I often return to it.

3. Do you dig close to shore?
Sometimes yes but usually, I dig near the middle of the beach, away from crowds.

4. How deep do you dig?
Anywhere from 2 inches to 2 feet.

5. What do you dig with?
I dig with a small trowel that fits in my back pocket.

6. What do you do with your shells?
I keep a few and give the rest away, sometimes mailing them to friends in other states. I've made a pair of earrings & a few crafts with my granddaughter but the fun for me is the hunt.

7. How do you clean your shells?
I simply rinse with water and then 'paint' them with baby oil (mineral oil) to bring out the color.

8. How do you display the shells you keep?
Most of my shells are in various glass containers and some are sitting on my dresser.

9. Have you ever tried hunting at Crooked Island?
My daughter and I took kayaks to Crooked Island one time and it was covered with large cockle shells - so cool!  

10. Have you ever been to Shell Island?
Not yet! 

11. What's your best advice? Dig and then dig some more. If no success, move to another spot and dig again. Also, I like to dig where others have dug because chances are there are more buried treasures there nearby :)

Got a question? Please email me at cathyjpalmer@yahoo.com

HAPPY SHELLING!

How Sweet it is! Bittersweet that is :)

Normally, I try to post each week but got distracted and forgot last week so here's 2 weeks worth of pics!

Today, went out 3 times and got 3 bags from the same general area I've been plowing the past several months now which included a few Bittersweet clam shells!

Bag 1 - morning dig




Bag 2 - afternoon dig




My little shelling hole under dark clouds and thunder from passing storm... no rain here


Bag 3 - after dinner dig




Found a Cabrit's Murex




LOOKING BACK...
A few from Thursday, Aug 21, 2014


Double whammy! Saturday, August 23, 2014


Monday, August 25, 2014




Walking back home


Lunchtime walk at St Andrews State Park... didn't find much but enjoyed the view!


Thursday, August 27, 2014


A few keepers


My other hobby is photography




Saturday/yesterday, August 30, 2014






My view yesterday... Labor Day weekend


Cool find... Giant Eastern Murex




Other Murex I've found... the one in my hand is the biggest so far


A bunch of Florida Alphabet Cones... lost one in the water when rinsing the sand off... oh well, easy come, easy go lol!




Love these guys!




Aloha to August! Tonight's sky from my patio ~

Sunday, August 17, 2014

Love to Shell

Love makes the world go round




Saturday fun






Sunday delight






Looking east from St Andrews State Park pier


Morning downpour drenched me on my return lol!

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Super Moon, Super Sunset & Super Finds

Tonight's super moon & super sunset...




And super finds...
Monday


Friday


Saturday




Sunday/Today
Lauren decorated her new bird feeder


Morning Dig






A few from this evening dig