>>Do any of you self collectors have stories to share regarding a personal
>shelling trip...or maybe the finding of a special shell
Here's one:
My $3000 Egg Cowry
Ovula ovum Linne, 1758
July 24, 1984 - the last day of a dream: a three-week shelling trip
to Australia and the Great Barrier Reef.
The group had visited three locations in the Australian "Sunshine
State" of Queensland, snorkeling, wading and beachwalking for shells - and
we'd gotten lots of them. But the last few days were the best of all, on
the colorful reefs off Cairns.
Today our leader (Kirk Anders) pointed out the general topography
of the area we were visiting, Undine Reef. Over that way, he said, pointing
far ahead of the boat, we might find Egg Cowries. I intended to go "that
way", but never made it, being caught up in collecting nearer the boat.
Most people had returned to the boat ready to go back to Cairns,
while the rest were being ferried by dinghy from the dry reef. Only two of
us were left in the water, very near the boat, lazing around until time to
leave. I was actually at the boat and about to get in it when my companion,
Mary Wold, called me. "Bring me my camera," she said.
Reluctant to get back in the water, I nevertheless brought her the
camera. She was snorkeling over a beautiful coral formation that looked
like yellow and green Turkish toweling. She pointed down and said, "You can
look, but it's mine!"
There below us was an Egg Cowry with its mantle fully extended,
looking for all the world like the night sky spangled with stars. Wow!
After a bit, I came to myself and thought, "These guys often travel
in pairs. Where's the other one?" Then, sure enough, I found it!
That was the last shell collected on that trip, and one of my
favorites. The trip cost over $3000. Of course, I could buy an Egg Cowry in
any shell store for a dollar, butŠ
http://www.mindspring.com/~shellelegant
Peggy Williams
Shell Elegant Tours
PO Box 575 * Tallevast FL 34270
(941) 355-2291 * [log in to unmask]
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