I've notices that in the 12 years that I have been collecting shells along a
stretch of breach along the Florida east coast (between Cape Canaveral and
Sebastian Inlet) that there are almost no olive shells (Oliva spp, esp.
Oliva syana) anymore.  You can rarely find a fresh specimen and what does
wash up is old.  It does not appear to be related to an increased collection
rate (i.e. from more people picking them off the beach), because I have
access to beaches on Cape Canaveral Air Station which is off limits to the
public and has equally low numbers of olives.

I have noticed a similar trend in the numbers of lobed moon shells (
Polinices duplicatus).

Please let me know of any research that has been conducted on the
distribution and abundance patterns of olive and moon shells along the
Florida coast.  I'd like to know if there really are seasonal or man-induced
changes taking place that affect these and other mollusk species.


> ----------
> From:         ferreter[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent:         Thursday, December 23, 1999 2:20 PM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      Re: I'm still alive!!
>
> Hi all,,, Peta and I once used a silk blouse and the effects were
> fantastic
> , once we had the image centered we draped the silk over the object, it's
> supple enough that the fabric falls into and around the object . It's fun
> to
> try different fabrics , colors and patterns at worst you'll become a
> better
> interior decorator at best you'll have beautiful images to display, word
> of
> advice , plaid/ polyester is so 70's , could lead to nausea.
> Mr.. Ferret
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Rick Negus <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Thursday, December 23, 1999 6:16 PM
> Subject: Re: I'm still alive!!
>
>
> >Eduardo
> >
> >You might try putting a white or transluscent box over the shells when
> you
> scan.
> >The light gets scattered and gives more detail with no shadow.
> >
> >Rick
> >
> >
> >At 11:07 AM 12/23/1999 -0700, you wrote:
> >>Eduardo,
> >>
> >>I have never had a problem scanning larger shells, so I can't help much.
> >>However, I would recommend trying to scan at night with a dark room.
> That
> >>helps with the background and it may increase the contrast with the
> parts
> of
> >>the shell further away from the glass.  It could be that your scanner
> just
> >>doesn't have a bright enough bulb.  You might also try the software that
> >>comes with the scanner to improve images -- I'll bet you have already
> tried
> >>this, but just in case.  Most will lighten, darken, sharpen, smooth,
> etc.
> >>and that might improve your image.  I have a Visioneer 6100 and it works
> >>great.  It was also the cheapest scanner I found at the time I bought it
> >>(and rated by Consumers as the best buy).
> >>
> >>Tom Eichhorst in New Mexico, USA
> >>
> >>
> >
>