Got my J!
First of all I love that there’s really a subreddit for everything. Shelling has become a favorite hobby for my wife kids and I this summer, looking forward to posting some adventures and advice for this peaceful nature filled hobby of ours.
This last Saturday, parked at Blind Pass and worked my way south to the curve. At about 8:30 am I had a solid haul of olives and turbans, and had waded out to see if I could spot/feel and horse conchs. As I turned back to shore there was this Junonia RIGHT in front of me. I don’t know if you’ve ever felt like nature was giving you something before, but if you have you know that moment.
My heart skipped a beat, dove on it like a grenade, and went running up to a woman nearby yelling “Is it? IS IT?!” Probably scared her half to death haha.
Pictures attached - there is a small piece snapped off right at the lip of the shell but it’s otherwise PERFECT, and when it’s on its stand you can’t see any of that.
We’ve never found so much as a piece of one before. Definitely the prize jewel of our collection, and there’s something about finding a perfect shell versus just buying one that makes it that much more special. Our daughters are already fighting over who gets it when I’m gone, lol.