Junonia found on Captiva
Andrew Dorn, of Saint Charles, Missouri, found a junonia on Oct. 19 in front of the ‘Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa on Captiva. He reported that after finding four broken shell pieces the day prior, he and his wife, Laura, walked up to the perfect specimen sitting at the top of a shell pile on the high tide line. They did not really believe what they were seeing. Dorn continued that it was like someone had gone and placed the junonia there before daylight. He quickly scooped it up and held it in his pocket for a minute before he was brave enough to take a second look to be certain it was what they thought. Dorn added that the beach restoration must have stirred things up as he also found three pieces of lions paws, numerous flats, and two good Cabrit’s murexes during their stay. He noted that all the finds will only strengthen the urge to come back and strike gold on future visits. Dorn dedicated his junonia find and shelling passion to his mother, Susan. He explained that she taught him everything about shelling and gave him the addiction. The family has been looking on annual trips since the 1990s and all the hunting finally paid off. Dorn added that his mom will be hot on his tail to find the next junonia for the family.