Originally published on Audubon Guides on August 20th, 2012
The gulf coast beaches of Florida are famed for the
amazing seashells that wash ashore. Scallops, conchs, whelks, pen shells,
turkey wings and a myriad of others become treasures to tourists and locals who
are no doubt entranced by the variety of colors and shapes these sea creatures
come in. What is easy to overlook, is what is underfoot when we walk in the
water along our coasts. The shells we gather were once occupied and lived in a
community of unseen denizens in the sand.
 |
| Gulf Coast shore birds © Pete Corradino |
Bunche Beach in Fort Myers is a little known, sand
and mud bottomed beach between Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel. At low tide, the
crowds arrive. Black Skimmers, Laughing Gulls, Royal Terns, Least Terns,
American Avocets, Whimbrels, Ruddy Turnstones, Dunlin, Willets and other
coastal birds probe the flats in search of bivalves, crustaceans, sand worms
and other critters that are vulnerable when the tide falls. One of the favorite
snacks of gulls and terns is the radiant Sunray
Venus Clam (Macrocallista nimbus).
Sunrays are found in muddy environments where they
can burrow up to twenty five feet deep. Storms often send them tumbling up
towards the beach where they make easy pickings for birds, raccoons and other
coastal species. My son plucked one from the sand. It was empty but the radiant
sun burst of color was evidence that it had been freshly vacated. Sunrays,
while brilliant with pinks, salmons, grays and blacks will quickly fade in the
sun.
 |
| Sunray Venus Clam © Pete Corradino |
The ligament that holds each valve together was
tenaciously protecting a ghost of an occupant. The umbo, the terminal meeting
point of both halves was chipped and scratched as if the shell had taken a
turbulent ride in the sand. Inside, the shell was porcelain with a faint touch
of salmon around the centers.
It’s a beautiful shell and certainly made a good
home for the departed owner. Now in my son’s collection of sea treasures, it is
a reminder of the mysteries underfoot and the sunshine in the sea.
I decided to drag the old artificial X-mas tree out of the closet and set it up. This tree has been in the family since I was little - so standing next to it - and being as tall as it was a strange feeling. I can't remember when we last put it up. But the cat loves it. 
Since I have no idea where the family ornaments are, Ma-Le and I decided to take the pine cones, sea shells and apple snails that we have collected over the years and turn them into ornaments.
I strung the lights and Ma-Le spent an afternoon putting them all together. 
I think she did a fantastic job and we put all of these natural nick-knacks to good use. She simply placed the Apple Snail shells over the lights and they glow brilliantly. 
Ticonderoga approves and was nice enough to pose for a holiday photo for all of you. Happy Everything and I hope the happiness continues all through the New Year. 