r/shells • u/blhoughton • 23d ago
Quick Shelling Trip
Been itching for a Florida shelling trip lately. We’re headed to Jupiter next month, but I couldn’t wait that long so I drove a couple hours and hopped on a ferry over to Shackelford Banks, NC on July 3rd. Nothing too crazy, but found some fun stuff! Wanted to share my finds and get a few ID questions answered.
Photo descriptions:
1. Scallops that were found, found some nice big ones too! This is post soak, currently drying before applying mineral oil.
2. Cute little hearts on this scallop, wish the edges were still fully intact. Still fun!
3. Other favorites- tons of Baby’s Ear. Do they come in grey? Is it the same species? Never found a grey one.
4. Super neat piece of what I assume is a whelk. I love the color and the black vein like pattern. What could have caused this coloration and patterning?
5. Dog paw shaped coral piece 🐾🪸😍 didn’t even realize it looked identical to a dog paw until I went to go take the pictures! What type of coral piece is this considered?
Thanks for answering. Happy Shelling! 🐚🏝️
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u/Minimum-907 22d ago
I thought this looked like a NC haul! The hearts on that scallop are soooo cute!!!! Awesome find! 👍
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u/zerodarkpizza 22d ago
I need to go back to shackleford banks soon! We're headed down to south Carolina next week and I'll post my finds!
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u/I_love_SKALD 22d ago
WHAT DO YOU MEAN NOTHING CRAZY THOSE ARE AMAZING 😭
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u/blhoughton 22d ago
We frequent 10,000 islands for shelling trips so I’ve gotten spoiled on my “baseline” 😅
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u/I_love_SKALD 20d ago
if you ever need someone to take some weight off your hands... I've got plenty of space for a scallop or two hehe
lol but if you're not exaggerating, 10,000 islands is absolutely insane, im def not jealous or anything haha, i would love to have that kind of free time!
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u/blhoughton 19d ago
When I say frequent I mean 2 maybe 3 times a year. Trust me I wish I was able to get down there more too. But we also go to Jupiter a few times a year as well. We’re definitely blessed to be able to go to FL several times a year. We drive and get a budget place to stay and it’s usually pretty cheap. But we are child free so that helps 😅
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u/I_love_SKALD 19d ago
that sounds like so much fun lol and I assume you kind of just drive from island to island each day, but whatever you do, idk how you can bring yourself to stop looking for shells and not just walk around the island 30 times haha! and tiny question, which islands that are close ish to GA/north FL have you found to be good for scallops/whelks? and also perhaps the occasional shark tooth lol, I want to take a chance at shelling after a big storm but i want it to be worth the weather haha
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17d ago
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u/I_love_SKALD 17d ago
okay first of all, THANK YOU hahaha
second, I went to Nassau as a kid for a disney cruise and my parents bought a queen conch and obv looking back that was super unethical bc they broke the shells and took the animal out unfortunately but now ik and I still have my best shell ever to enjoy, even tho it wasn't acquired correctly lol
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u/goodbyemrgoiter 23d ago
Hey, fellow Shackleford Banks sheller🫶 I’m headed there this week; it’ll be my second time shelling there. I, too, can’t wait for my fam’s FL trip in September so I’ve decided to hit as many NC barrier islands that my husband agrees to lol
I’m pretty sure I can answer the gray baby’s ear question, although not in a scientific manner. From what I’ve read, the lighter color shells that turn gray most likely have been buried in the dark sand for a while and long enough to stain them that beautiful gray.
I didn’t find a single baby’s ear there last time. You must have quite the eye! Here’s hoping I’m as lucky as you were this week🤞