It’s all snugged in there. Looks like a pastry or something. It was the white spiral that jumped out at me. I didn’t disturb it to see if there was something alive in it, but usually when the stones are dry like this, there isn’t. On the other hand, it depends how far it is from the tide lines. And the tides vary considerably, and there are zillions of stones, so it’s hard to say.
Anyway, now I know why there are pastries that are called “snails!”
Last night I got out my baggie of rocks from the other trip and found the stuff to paint them with to make them look wet. Then tonight I found more rocks. Is the pink swirl a heart under there?
WAIT. That isn’t a chip, it is an opening. Very girly color. The resident probably wears ruffles, too.
I think it is some sort of snail shell. Ruffled snails, I like that idea. I don’t think it was painted; it looked “natural,” whatever that means. I didn’t want to pick it up, but it sure did catch my attention!