As we walk along the beach we hope to find something spectacular. A huge, perfect seashell or sand dollar or some stand-out item. We scan the edge of the surf hoping to spot something just within reach that everyone else has missed.
I always enjoyed finding unusual pieces of shells that had obviously been laying around in the water for a long time and been etched by something. This piece of a thick shell is full of dents made by …what??? I don’t know, but it’s a really cool piece I think.
Just remember that going to the beach is always a treat no matter what you may find and sometimes the coolest things show up on the shore.
I’ve written about the wentletrap shell before, but didn’t know much about it. I still am not sure which wentletrap this one is. If you can identify it, I’d love to know. (Now I know what it see – see below.)
They are carnivorous and eat coral and sea anemones.
I had a reader leave a message asking for more information about this shell. Mainly they are whitish and have a spiral shell like in this picture on Patricia B. Mitchell’s site and at Wikipedia.
Mine is shown in the photo below and is 2 1/2 inches long.
My reference book lists many types of Wentletraps found along the eastern and western seaboard of the United States but they all appear to be fairly small. I thought it might be the “brown banded wentletrap” but that one is found in the northeastern US more often than in the south (where I found mine) and it’s max length is only one inch.
Mitchell’s Wentletrap can be larger – the size of mine, but mine doesn’t’ have the lengthwise ridges and according to this source it is an uncommon shell to find… so I wonder.
UPDATE: I believe this is the boring turret shell. See an image from the Bailey Matthews museum in Sanibel.
Along with the towels, chairs, cooler (no glass please) and umbrellas, pack the camera when planning a day at the beach….. Can you tell I wrote this post back when all I had was a camera to use and not an iPhone?
Time for an update to this blog post!
I do think that getting photos at the beach is a good idea and it’s much easier these days when everyone has a camera phone with them. How far we’ve come!
Finding Unexpected Beauty
Aside from photographing the kids or your sweetie, the beach can offer up unexpected beauty. It may treat you to a showy golden sunset, a rainbow, or a space shuttle launch (I see those from my local beach). Some natural occurrences like this are gone in a flash, so be ready for the unexpected.
This image is courtesy of Pixabay
Treasures From the Sea
You never know what might wash up on shore either. Empty seashells are okay to collect, but leave the living ones where you find them. That would be a great time for a photo!
There could be dolphin, sharks, or who knows what swimming by. On “my beach” we have ghost crabs and sea turtle nests. Lots of wildlife visit the seashore, and although they will probably stay away when people are around, you never know.
Only take empty shells! (Photo: Pixabay)
Someone may catch a big fish! That is what happened when we were hanging out at the beach near Ponce Inlet. As he carried the big bluefish back toward his car, I asked if I could get a photo.
Bluefish!
Photos of Iconic Landmarks
Beaches are usually busy places. The Florida beach near where I live has lots of buildings and some iconic places like The Breakers Restaurant. This pink building has lasted through hurricanes and all the new “upgrades” done in the area. It remains a casual eatery where great burgers and fish sandwiches are served to patrons who have beach front seating.
Breakers Beachside at the end of Flagler Ave., New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Amazing Plant Life
Along the ocean beaches we find some amazing plant life that we don’t see inland. These plants and trees have special growing needs and have adapted well to a sand and salt environment.
I plan to write about the flora I’ve photographed over the years on my beach visits. Most of it I can’t name, but I’d love to know what’s out there.
Dune plants with yellow “flowers”
The mangroves grow along the river beaches and create their own islands. Their strange roots are visible at low tide where oyster beds usually form.
Mangrove roots – my photo
What Happens at Your Beach?
The sightings listed on this page are only a few of the many possibilities of what can be found along the beach. I’d love to hear what you find or enjoy seeing on your beach-going adventures.
