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Cold December....but shells!

By: Bentmtn
12/9/2025 5:30 PM

I think my sister in law and I are the only crazies to beachcomb this week! We have been fruitful though. Soooo cold! ONLY ones shelling on ramp 49.

Found some whelks today, and the big yellow one two days ago. She's been lucky too.



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By: Bentmtn
12/9/2025 5:32 PM


By: Bentmtn
12/9/2025 6:11 PM

Left my goggles in Roanoke!! I bought them last year based on EZ's suggestion. Just have to make do with a wool headband, down coat and boots!

We are two silly women! Nice to have an 85 year old sis in law that still lives for this stuff! Gave her a headband too!

What we do for shells!



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By: Greg MD
12/9/2025 7:03 PM

Be glad you're down there where it's warm!

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By: Bentmtn
12/9/2025 7:19 PM

Be glad you're down there where it's warm!

Greg MD


Wooly wormz! I was freezing! 46 and some winds. Sis in law and I hid in the back of the truck after beach combing. Nice respite from the cold and caught some killer sunset pics. So loving having this soul down here with me. Did a funny IG reel about the day.....sis in law with her cane.

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By: Bentmtn
12/9/2025 7:21 PM


By: Stumpy
12/9/2025 7:49 PM

Beautimus!

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By: Bentmtn
12/9/2025 7:56 PM

Beautimus!

Stumpy


Thanks, dahlin'!

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By: Bentmtn
12/9/2025 8:06 PM

I "think" in the first pic, the item on the far right is some type of fossil or animal vertebrae or something of that sort. Maybe some smart person on this forum knows....I don't know. It's hard and you can see the tiny holes. Whale disc? Too cool to leave behind.

Tim should know.

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By: Bentmtn
12/11/2025 4:41 PM

Wowsa! Found probably the prettiest whelk I have ever found on the island this afternoon. Got my left boot wet and left sleeve, but who cares!

Just beautiful! Sis in law and I again were the only ones on the beach!

Also found a mid sized perfect one that's grey.

Fun!!



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By: Bentmtn
12/11/2025 4:45 PM

Top part...perfect and huge!



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By: Bentmtn
12/11/2025 4:47 PM

Another view ....



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By: Bentmtn
12/11/2025 4:58 PM

The grey one..



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By: LollyGirl
12/11/2025 5:10 PM

You’re being rewarded for your dogged determination!
You are a die-hard!

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By: Greg MD
12/11/2025 5:38 PM

I can't imagine getting wet for a shell right now... wind chills in the teens here. Soup weather cold.



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By: Bentmtn
12/11/2025 5:58 PM

You’re being rewarded for your dogged determination!
You are a die-hard!

LollyGirl


I think so!! Actually, the winds had died down and it wasn't that bad. Walked a couple of miles and enjoyed the exercise. Just ran right into the surf for this beauty!! No way I was going to let it get away....

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By: Bentmtn
12/11/2025 6:01 PM

I can't imagine getting wet for a shell right now... wind chills in the teens here. Soup weather cold.

Greg MD


Shells are my life! Tee hee. Stay warm, Greg. It looks delicious.

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By: LollyGirl
12/11/2025 6:06 PM

I’ll stick with Greg!
Soup looks great!

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By: LollyGirl
12/11/2025 6:08 PM

Bent, “You’re a better man than me, Gunga Din”

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By: Stumpy
12/11/2025 6:10 PM

I "think" in the first pic, the item on the far right is some type of fossil or animal vertebrae or something of that sort. Maybe some smart person on this forum knows....I don't know. It's hard and you can see the tiny holes. Whale disc? Too cool to leave behind.

Bentmtn


I showed your pic to Grok and it said...

The object on the right is a piece of pumice, a lightweight, highly porous volcanic rock formed when gas-rich lava cools rapidly and traps bubbles, creating its characteristic holes (vesicles). It's often brownish or grayish due to mineral content and weathering.Pumice is commonly found on beaches far from volcanoes because it floats on water and can drift long distances via ocean currents. Your photo shows it alongside seashells on what appears to be a truck bed (likely collected from a beach), with sand/dust around—typical for beachcombing finds.

It's not coral (which is usually whiter, more structured, and from marine skeletons) or sedimentary beachrock/coquina (made of cemented shells/sand, less uniformly bubbly). The irregular vesicles and rough, non-marine texture point strongly to volcanic pumice. If it's unusually light for its size, that confirms it!



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By: Bentmtn
12/11/2025 6:14 PM

Sis in law beachcombing. She's 85 and finally found some sea glass today. Yay! Had been in the hospital this fall with blood clots and it was pretty bad. I've basically been her nurse this fall...may be the last time she's down here.



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By: Greg MD
12/11/2025 6:21 PM

I’ll stick with Greg!
Soup looks great!

LollyGirl

Thank you. Mrs G is feeling a bit under the weather so a bowl of Jewish penicillin for dinner, for both of our sakes.

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By: Bentmtn
12/11/2025 6:41 PM

I "think" in the first pic, the item on the far right is some type of fossil or animal vertebrae or something of that sort. Maybe some smart person on this forum knows....I don't know. It's hard and you can see the tiny holes. Whale disc? Too cool to leave behind.

Bentmtn


I showed your pic to Grok and it said...

The object on the right is a piece of pumice, a lightweight, highly porous volcanic rock formed when gas-rich lava cools rapidly and traps bubbles, creating its characteristic holes (vesicles). It's often brownish or grayish due to mineral content and weathering.Pumice is commonly found on beaches far from volcanoes because it floats on water and can drift long distances via ocean currents. Your photo shows it alongside seashells on what appears to be a truck bed (likely collected from a beach), with sand/dust around—typical for beachcombing finds.

It's not coral (which is usually whiter, more structured, and from marine skeletons) or sedimentary beachrock/coquina (made of cemented shells/sand, less uniformly bubbly). The irregular vesicles and rough, non-marine texture point strongly to volcanic pumice. If it's unusually light for its size, that confirms it!



Stumpy


Aww! Thanks, Stumpy, for this info. Do appreciate! So interesting. I love this kind of stuff with odd items found on the beach.

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By: LollyGirl
12/11/2025 7:07 PM

Just what the doctor ordered, Greg!

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By: Bentmtn
12/11/2025 8:45 PM

I’ll stick with Greg!
Soup looks great!

LollyGirl

Thank you. Mrs G is feeling a bit under the weather so a bowl of Jewish penicillin for dinner, for both of our sakes.

Greg MD


Hope she is feeling better! I'm sure you'll take great care of her.

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