Barefootin'

Sitting on 342 acres of lush tropical land, Barefoot Beach Preserve is one of the best beaches in SWFL. Home to many native speices of plants, birds and animals, including gopher tortoises, it also provides nesting sites for sea turtles in the summer and is a popular landing site for "snow birds" in the winter.

The park has ample parking, a one-mile nature trail, butterfly garden, showers, picnic area and a concession area where you can rent anything from kayaks to beach friendly wheelchairs and buy food and drinks. Park Rangers also offer  lectures and interpretive programs to educate the public about the importance of the environment and wildlife in Southwest Florida.

But by far the best thing about Barefoot Beach is the shelling~offering everything from angel wings and alphabet cones to sharks teeth and other fossils. I was even lucky enough to find an arrow point dating 2500-3000 years old! I could tell you about all our finds but I had rather show you...Enjoy!




Located off Bonita Beach Road, in Bonita Springs, Barefoot Beach Preserve is worth the $8 park fee (or the $50 yearly Collier County Park Pass). If you're planning a shelling trip, add it to your list of "must see" places to visit!

Going with the flow~

Every sheller out there knows what its like to go to the beach looking for that favorite shell, be it a perfect angel wing, an alphabet cone or the ever elusive junonia, only to find arcs, olives and scallops. We pick them up anyway, reveling in the beauty of what mother nature has offered.

Sometimes we search and find nothing, all the shells taken by the tide back to the sea. That's when the camera comes out and we just enjoy our surroundings. The flock of terns standing at attention, pelicans skimming the surface of the water with the tips of their wings, or that perfect sunset.

And sometimes all it takes is just following the right path down the beach that leads you to what you seek.

Shelling and life near the sea teaches you to just go with the flow, take what is offered, and if you seek something new, try a different path. Sure you may have obstacles along the way...

But just climb over that tree and keep searching~You may find a treasure beyond anything you ever dreamed of...

This blog is "a different path" for me. I hope you will join me and ask your friends to come along as we explore the beautiful beaches of SW Florida. I will show you my favorite shelling spots, go hunting for fossils and shark's teeth, make new friends, and I will even show you some fun and exciting craft and display ideas for your new treasures. So charge up the camera, grab your shelling bag, and leave the shoes at home...We're going to the Beach!