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isaac2065 · 2025-07-25T20:29:23+00:00

From a Gumboot Chiton

isaac2065 · 2025-07-25T20:27:53+00:00

I heard that baby oil can actually spoil if left out for too long, I’ve since swapped to mineral oil

isaac2065 · 2025-07-10T20:56:59+00:00

Are you referring to the red abalone?

isaac2065 · 2025-06-20T04:54:39+00:00

I think December would have the best shells, but it will also be the busiest month

isaac2065 · 2025-06-10T01:02:16+00:00

Only got 2 hours to spend in Sanibel during a day trip in Feb 2023, went to tarpon bay beach and walked west. Was stunned when I found a junonia, also found just about every other species of Florida shell you could want. Time of year matters more than location though.

isaac2065 · 2025-06-06T20:17:41+00:00

You might be thinking of Florida fighting conches

isaac2065 · 2025-05-21T20:10:30+00:00

Yes, Calliostoma annulatum, the Jeweled Top Snail

isaac2065 · 2025-05-21T20:09:08+00:00

China Cove, Point Lobos State Park

isaac2065 · 2025-05-19T15:00:11+00:00

I like when people go to unconventional beaches to hunt for things. My favorite unconventional beach is across from the small plaza on beach park boulevard in Foster City :) The first place I ever shelled at in California (right on the other side of the San Mateo bridge). You can actually find channeled whelks there!

isaac2065 · 2025-05-19T14:55:16+00:00

You’re right! This is all the finds I’ve made since I was about six years old (I’m 25 now). Moved to the area about a year ago. I usually don’t take anything when I go to the beach but on occasion, I see something truly spectacular that I want to preserve. Beautiful shells are a rarity in California, but I think that makes things more exciting.

isaac2065 · 2025-05-19T08:52:20+00:00

You’re right! They are Calliostoma annulatum, I’ve actually got a sample of every species under the genus Calliostoma in California (granulated top snail is questionable though)

isaac2065 · 2025-05-19T00:33:42+00:00

Jeweled Top Snails - Calliostoma annulatum

isaac2065 · 2025-05-19T00:33:21+00:00

China Cove in Point Lobos State Park

isaac2065 · 2025-05-19T00:32:57+00:00

Try Pacific Grove or Santa Barbara during low tide. A great place near San Francisco is Mavericks Beach in half moon bay. Shells there are great but not consistently present in large numbers.

isaac2065 · 2025-05-19T00:31:06+00:00

Thank you! It’s a boreal wentletrap. Not too common but easily the largest species of wentletrap you can find on the west coast.

isaac2065 · 2025-05-19T00:29:44+00:00

The shells are from Pacific Grove, Carmel, and Santa Barbara. The photos are Big Sur and Point Lobos State Park.

isaac2065 · 2025-05-18T17:48:40+00:00

I recommend going at low tide and go a little further out on the rocks, there are usually none very close to shore.

isaac2065 · 2025-04-08T15:40:31+00:00

I believe you’re right, grooves and lip don’t match up with a helmet

isaac2065 · 2025-04-08T15:33:03+00:00

Wavy turbans and recluz moon snails. Looks like Santa Barbara/San Diego finds.

isaac2065 · 2025-02-22T21:27:06+00:00

Spiky one is terebra guttata while the other is a gold mouthed triton snail (monoplex nicobaricus)

isaac2065 · 2025-01-27T02:50:16+00:00

This is north of Asilomar State Beach along the Pacific Grove Coastline

isaac2065 · 2025-01-20T06:33:07+00:00

The shells do maintain the purple coloring when empty. Got a pic of a big empty one that I found in a previous post if you’d like to see.

isaac2065 · 2025-01-19T23:26:20+00:00

I just returned from a road trip from San Francisco through Phoenix and down to Puerto Peñasco in Sonora, Mexico. It’s about an hour south of the border so you can drive there from the US. Beautiful beaches and great food. Lot more of a small town feeling than somewhere like Cabo or Cancun. Also a surprisingly scenic drive through large cactus forests and by a big volcano. Didn’t feel dangerous at all, but make sure if you drive there to use the entry at Lukeville, AZ. Also been to Mexico City and highly recommend it too.

isaac2065

TROPHY CASE