
Phil Miller holds turbinella streami, wife Sammy holds spondylus rotundatus; shell fossils approximately three million years old, collected from the SMR Aggregates, Sarasota. Sammy’s award is for Best Self-Collected Shell, Marco Island Shell Show 2016. Photos by Maria Lamb

Pet cat Scottie is admiring hexaplex hertweckorum, extinct murex, over three million years old.
Upon arrival at the SMR Quarry, Sammy discovered that she was surrounded by the remains of hundreds of fossilized shells. Due to the excavation of the quarry, most of the fossils were visible. By digging a little deeper, well-preserved shells could be found. When a fossilized shell is unearthed, the person discovering it will most likely be the first human to ever hold it in their hands. It is also the first time such fossils have been exposed to the Florida sun.

Jar filled with junonia – part of the Millers’ modern-day shell collection. Beachcombers rarely find junonia except after storms or high winds.

A display case showcases part of the Millers’ extensive modern-day shell collection.
Phil and Sammy can tell you the local and scientific names of the shells in their extensive collection and where they were found. They are not your average shell collectors and they both refer to themselves as “hobbyist invertebrate paleontologists.” Both say it is the “rush of the unknown” that keeps them searching for more. Their collection has grown so large that they periodically donate part of their collection to the Sanibel Shell Museum.
The Marco Island Shell Club Annual Show is a showcase for hobbyists, artists and scientific exhibitors. Each year you will find multiple entries from Phil and Sammy under the self-collected, hobbyist scientific category, and they usually bring home a trophy.
The 38th Annual Marco Island Shell Show is schedule to take place on March 8, 9, 10, 2018 at the United Church of Marco, 320 N. Barfield Drive, Marco Island. For more information visit marcoshellclub.com/shell-show.
Great article!