The Elusive Whelk Shells

Anyone that has ever gone beach combing has something special they are searching for ...some it is seaglass ( which I will cover in my next post) or special shells , but most look for perfect whelk shells as their treasure ..These  are pictures of what people do with them ...Me I like the ones not so perfect as my first photo will show ...I love the texture and unknown story behind how that shell became what it is.  I love broken shells I see a beauty in them ...maybe its because I love people who are not perfect in whatever way it is ...and yet I appreciate what they have and are going through...we all have our places on this earth...and all deserve a chance to be happy and made beautiful....

Beachcombing ....why do we do it...??? to save our souls...

You know I really don't know the answer maybe some of you all have figured it out...but there is nothing I like better than to go to the beach particulary after a storm and see what the ocean spit out...er left behind.   Now see lots of people go looking for those perfect shells or the elusive sea glass, beach glass or maybe a heart shaped stone...yes that is something people search for.

Me you know what I go looking for...you will probably not believe me...my sanity...it is a place where I can go looking for those treasures , broken whelk shells, or half scallops or maybe a purple sand dollar ,,,yup I found one it was beautiful....but alas the pups tried to eat it...

Ummm I digress....I go there because when I have those massive stressful days, weeks and months if I can go walk on the beach , listening to the waves watching the birds and looking for treasures amongst the sand and sea grass ..they all calm me down and remind me how to breath and think and clear the cobwebs from the stress.  I can spend hours when I have them just walking and looking...and collecting...I used to collect tons , but now I have learned to be more selective and only pick pieces I can use in my jewelry or art.  After being on the beach I can go back to the "real"? world and deal with things one more time....

So when you come visit the Outer Banks or you live here ...grab a plastic bag, maybe a camera or sketch book and go for a walk ...turn the cell phone off and leave the watch in the car....and then create something fabulous with your finds or put them in an anti-stress bowl that sits where you can see it and pick them up to go back to the beach in your memory till the next beach combing trip.

Red Shale ....basically little pieces of everything ...great to look  through ....but drive through in 4 wd you might get stuck

Water rippled sand....

this was just the way I found them and left them there only taking a picture

Sanderlings don't mind sharing the beach

there is peace here ...let it in

Waves bringing in new treasures to be found

This is one treasure I wished I could have brought home its so cool but I have great pics

A really good place to look for the special pieces and the rare sea glass

long lazy beaches made to find your sanity and take your stress away...so much better than Calgon

This was a old motorcycle helmet liner that had been in the ocean a long while and ...

Became a home to many little crustaceans ....carpenter shells and elephant ears...

A shipwreck temporarily visible till the next tide covers it up

on my favorite treasures a glass mussel 

Even Broken Shells have beauty and with a little wire a few beads it become a beauty from the sea

I love the pattern the water makes with the shells....

Water's edge is a great place to find the special shells

do you see the treasure here....not the big shell but the beautiful little piece of dark purple wampum hidden by it

even birds are beach combing...for their meals....

A Bird in the Sand ...is not necessarily a gull...Outer Banks Shore Birds ...Time to watch the birds

The Outer Banks is known as a place to see birds...I have included photos of ones I have seen lately to help you grasp  who and what you are looking at.

Pelicans the clowns of the sea but probably the most beloved next to the Sanderlings
Our beaches are home to the Brown Pelicans the only ones known to dive from high to hunt...

 

 These are called Juvenile Godwits...funny looking little birds who love to have fun.

These are Sanderlings....the cute little shore birds that make everyone go awwwww

Gulls waiting for their feast

Sanderlings playing in the Surf

The famous Oystercatcher

 Ring Billed Gull

not sure but this is either a immature ring bill gull or a herring gull

I have waited a very long time to catch a bird flight photo like this

Yes Seagulls do have attitude!!!

Getting ready for take off...

Another flight photo this guy seems to be saying I see you

Lesser Black Backed Gulls. these are one of  the biggest ones I have seen

 ,

I call this picture "Outer Banks Nuns"

If you are a bird expert and or no different than what I have here ...please help ...thank you