Even though the end of summer can send me into a mild depression; it doesn't last too long.  Fall on the coast is the best you can get.  The shelling is incredible, there is a plethora of bait in the water, the fishing is unheard of, and most of the tourists have headed back inland (poor things).  To top it off, my boyfriend and I just bough a boat, and a trailer, and a truck.  So, I am sittin' pretty, or hunting and gathering pretty.  We had an awesome day out yesterday! 

We went straight for Waites Island, which is the northern most barrier island in the state of SC.  And, it is beautiful!

Waites Ariel Shot (Cherry Grove Inlet left, Little River Inlet Right)

Waites Island and beautiful Pine Trees

Waites Island, SC

I love having an island all to myself. (I took this picture last week, obviously it's low tide in this photo.

Catching bait along the way was easy.  Once we arrived, I was off to the races while the boyfriend fished.  And, even though it was high tide, the shelling was great!

Tiny Sand Dollar

Thick-Lip Drills and Odostomes

Baby's Ear

Channeled Whelk

Channeled Whelks

Star Coral

Crab Shells

Keyhole Limpets

I hope you all can hunt and gather during this lovely fall season.

Cheers!
Margaret

Hunt and Gather Gallery

I'm always kind of sad when summer is over.  Seriously, I tear up.  I did yesterday when I heard a summer song.  Because, I know in January or March I will hear that same song and be so sad that it's not summer.  The ridiculous thing about this too, is that fall is so incredibly awesome.  The fishing is better, the tourists aren't around, and the shelling is on time!  So, what exactly is my problem?  Maybe it's because although I celebrate summer and it's activities year round, not everyone does the same.  And, I like to share summer and it's hunting and gathering with everyone.  So, in honor of summer and everything outdoors and salty, I thought I would put together a gallery of my favorite hunting and gathering shots.  I hope you enjoy, and partake in summer year long!

Ocean Drive Beach Starfish - Summer 2013

Cherry Grove Beach Fruition - April 2013

Ocean Drive Beach Keyhole Limpet - Summer 2013

Masonboro Island Sea Urchin - July 2013

Masonboro Island Murex (I think) - Summer 2013

Masonboro Island Horseshoe Crabs - Summer 2013

Masonboro Island Sea Urchin - Summer 2013

Masonboro Island Sand Dollar - Summer 2013

Masonboro Island Horse Conch - Summer 2013

Cherry Grove Beach Key (Olive) Shells - April 2013

Masonboro Island Sea Urchins - Summer 2013

Masonboro Island Sand Dollar - April 2013

Masonboro Island Sea Urchin - Spring 2013

Cherry Grove Pier April 2013

Bald Head Island Sand Dollar - Fall 2013

Cherry Grove Beach Neon Cockle - April 2013

Cherry Grove Beach Key Shell (Lettered Olive) - April 2013

Cherry Grove Beach Mottled Purse Crab - April 2013

Masonboro Island Starfish - Winter 2013

Masonboro Tiny Sand Dollar - April 2013

Bald Head Island Baby Lightning Whelks - May 2013

West Beach (BHI) Sand Dollar - Easter Weekend 2013

Wrightsville Beach Baby Whelk - Winter 2013

East Beach (BHI) Sand Dollar - May 2013

Longboat Key Murex - February 2013

Longboat Key Ceriths (and a couple Augers) - February 2013

Wrightsville Beach Brownbanded Wentletrap (left), Auger with attached Coral (right) - Winter 2013

Longboat Key, FL Fruition - February 2013

Masonboro Island weathered Tulip (maybe), Whelk Egg Case, Sea Urchins, and Horse Conch Egg Case - July 2013

Masonboro Island, NC - July 2013

Masonboro Island Low Tide - July 2013

Bald Head Island Knobbed Whelk - May 2013

Wrightsville Beach Keyhole Limpet - Winter 2013

Ocean Drive Beach Speckled Crab Shells, Baby Sea Urchins, Scallop - May 2013

Litchfield Beach Sea Urchin - January 2013

Ocean Drive Beach Sea Urchin - May 2013

Ocean Drive Beach Lightning Whelks - June 2013

Ocean Drive Beach Sea Urchin - August 2013

Bald Head Island Sand Dollar - November 2012

Masonboro Island Sand Dollar - July 2013

Ocean Drive Beach Fruition - March 2013

Bald Head Island Portuguese Man of War - June 2013

Ocean Drive Beach Rams Horn - May 2013

Longboat Key Ravenel Scallop - February 2013

Cherry Grove Beach Broken Sand Dollar - May 2013

Ocean Drive Beach Sea Biscuit Fossil (top) - May 2013

Ocean Drive Beach Sea Biscuit Fossil (bottom) - May 2013

Masonboro Island "keyhole" Sea Urchin - July 2013

Masonboro Island Sea Urchin - Summer 2013

Cherry Grove Beach Stingray - April 2013

The Point at Cherry Grove - May 2013

Wentletrap (bottom center) and Florida Wormtail (right center) - Spring 2013

Waites Island Sand Dollars, Coral, Whelks - May 2013

Waites Island - May 2013

Wrightsville Beach Iridescent Swimming Crab - Winter 2013

Bald Head Island Wedge Piddocks - June 2013

West Beach Sand Dollar - May 2013

Ocean Drive Beach Baby Sea Urchin vs. Masonboro Island Sea Urchin

Ocean Drive Beach Shark Tooth - August 2013

Bald Head Island Fruition - November 2012

Ocracoke Island Scotch Bonnet (found in the conch aperture) - October 2012

Ocean Drive Beach Shark Teeth and Ram's Horn Fossil - August 2013

Masonboro Island Marsh - July 2013

East Beach (BHI) Baby Skate - June 2013

Bald Head Island Lightning Whelks - May 2013

Wrightsville Beach Clam Fruition - Spring 2013

Bird Island Knobbed Whelk - September 2013

Ocean Drive Beach Speckled Crab - May 2013

Ocean Drive Beach Ram Horns - Summer 2013

Ocracoke Island Sand Dollar - October 2012

Ocean Drive Beach Shark Tooth - August 2013

West Beach (BHI) Florida Wormtail - August 2013

Waites Island Tiny Sand Dollar - September 2013

Waites Island Thick-Lip Drills and Odostomes - September 2013

Waites Island Baby's Ear - September 2013

Waites Island Channeled Whelk - September 2013

Waites Island Channeled Whelks - September 2013

Waites Island Star Coral - September 2013

Waites Island Crab Shells - September 2013

Waites Island Keyhole Limpets - September 2013

Waites Island Sand Dollar - September 2013

What are your favorite shells to find?

Cheers,

Margaret