Florida's Seashells: A Beachcomber's Guide

We bought this book from Amazon before going to the Florida Gulf Coast earlier this month based, in part, on the reviews of other readers. It has proved itself invaluable in helping us identify our shell treasures. So, I thank all those reviewers for steering us in the right direction. I have consulted it many times since getting back home and organizing our shells. It has added to our knowledge of shells that we have also picked up along the Virginia, North and South Carolina beaches, as well as Sanibel, Captiva, Cayo Costa, and Marco Island in Florida. I liked, in particular, that the photos were of both sides of the shell, further aiding in identification. As another reviewer noted, the "Did You Know?" section at the bottom of each page adds another dimension of information about the mollusks presented in the book. I'm thinking I'll have to purchase other Blair and Dawn Witherington books--they are just right for the novice sheller and beach aficionado, packed full of fascinating reading.

Each page features specie detail, 3 or 4 high quality photographs with scale/size information, and a fun "Did You Know?" section covering specific shells. I had to smile when I read that area regarding Augers on page 24 where the "auger's summer mating swarms" is compared with "the style portrayed by Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr in From Here to Eternity...". This guide uses the same format as the thicker and more expansive 2007 work (by the same authors) "Florida's Living Beaches: A Guide for the Curious Beachcomber". In fact, I would say about 95% of the content comes from that volume directly, so I recommend paying a little extra to get that excellent guide which covers most anything you see at a Florida beach (unless you are specifically and only interested in Florida shells).

Jim and I are really getting into visiting Fl and planning to retire in the Panhandle. Part of the fun is the amazing variety of seashells. We have Florida's Living Beaches: A Guide for the Curious Beachcomber by the same authors and love it. We wanted a book dedicated to shells though. Wonderful descriptions, clear pictures, maps, and tips on collecting shells make this book a real winner for anyone interested in the variety and beauty of Florida's seashells. The writing is clear, interesting, and full of information on each shell.

This was one of my first shelling books. If you want to identify a type of shell, these are the books to go to. I refer them to everyone who asks, I usually have a spare one or 2 on hand to give to family, friends and visitors. We'll worth it, this couple, the authors, have 4 or so books available, check them out, birds, wildlife, shelling and cleaning them. I can't say enough good things about them.

Their other book - living beaches, is a better book - tells you so much more - not that this book is bad. It's just not as complete for Florida Gulf Coast.

Great photos and very complete descriptions of the shells in the book. I particularly liked the small maps showing what areas of Florida would be best to look for that particular shell. Several omissions that I found a little odd, since they were shells that I had found myself, but I guess you can never find everything in one place.

Trying to find a good ID book for JUST Florida shells, has been a challenge - this challenge was more than met with this book. The info on each animal was great, perfect for a true naturalist. I would love to see another book by these authors on Florida crabs, and perhaps other crustaceans. They do a great job! I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants to look beyond the name of a shell, and find out how that sea jewel came to be on the beach. Hopefully, that's everyone who gets up at dawn to walk the beach for treasures ...

thank you

Olá,tudo muito bom com informações preciosas ,referentes ao habitat das especies em referencia com fotos interessantes das espécies , gostei bastante,