Immerse in an ECO-Tour and Experience Southwest Florida Islands by Boat

“Captain Brian Holaway is well versed in the intricacies of our unmatched locale. He can guide to and through a multitude of out-of-the way tidal creeks, bayous, keys and islands. More important is his passionate interest and respect for the region. With unique insights from his many explorations and his studies, not only does he identify the birds and wildlife that inhabit our semi-tropical watery land, but he explains their interconnectedness to their environment and each other. In addition, he shares the fascinating history of rugged people who came long before us: Florida Native Indians, the Calusa, the Spanish, the Cubans, early homesteaders, and the wisdom evident in the growth of their culture.

You will come away with great enjoyment and a new understanding of this beautiful place and its history.”

Historian, Betty Anholt
Author of Sanibel’s Story

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Limpet in The Clouds







My head was in the clouds (isn't that what my high school teachers used to say) as I was taking photos of the landscape and clouds on Cayo Costa. I stopped taking photos and waited for the clouds to build a little higher to fit in the full frame of the camera. This is when I looked down and noticed a Limpet. I thought "Oh, look at this key hole limpet!" Then I realized it wasn't a key hole limpet. It reminded me of the limpets in Panama. However it was not the same. Humm, Then the cloud I had been waiting for to build up was perfect for the photo. I quickly put the limpet in my shirt pocket and continued taking photos. Like so many of my prized little treasures I find on the beach, it went through the wash cycle in the washing machine. I didn't remember it was in my shirt pocket until it was half way through the dry cycle. I ran quickly to the dryer and pulled out my shirt and just knew it was broke. Somehow it made it out in one piece. Ahh! I have never found this type of limpet before. It was a first. I have been trying to figure out exactly what kind it is. If you have found one like this,  I would love to know where and of course what kind.  Who knows what you can discover when your head is in the clouds.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Brian,
It looks like Say's False Limpet - I've seen a few down here on the SE coast.

Anonymous said...

Hello Captain Brian,

What you found is the shell of a striped false limpet, Siphonaria pectinata. They grow as large as 1 inch in length. They don't have gills; they breathe air instead. You can find images of the shell and the live animal and more info at:

http://www.shellmuseum.org/shells/shelldetails.cfm?id=156

I live in NYC but will be coming to Sanibel for the first time this December. I hope maybe I will see you there!

Susan H.

Capt. Brian Holaway said...

Thank you for all the help in identifying this shell. Capt.Brian