Junonia found on Sanibel
Patrick O’Rourke, 60, of Crown Point, Indiana, found a junonia on July 19 at Blind Pass Beach on Sanibel. He reported that he was in neck-deep water shelling with a weight belt for a giant conch or whelk, when he found a shelf of shells and decided to bring some up in his net. O’Rourke has been going to Sanibel for 25 years. He noted that he has found everything from giant Florida horse conches and lightening whelks, to everything in between, but this is his first junonia find! He added that he feels deeply connected with God while shelling, and he talks to him while searching all day long for his special treasures. O’Rourke feels humbled by all God has created — the creatures, grains of sand, all the variety of shells, and the mere size and power of the ocean.