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Today I drove about 25 minutes to the Kane County Fairgrounds to visit the Chicagoland Gem and Mineral Association Show, this is the 46 year for this show. The show is on Saturday (10a-6p) and Sunday (10a-5p) and it is a really nice show to attend and there is always a long line to the opening and the people keep coming throughout the day. There were 32 different vendors from 13 different states. The vendors had fossils, gem stones, minerals, geodes, etc., something for everyone. Continued on next post.

Hi, I am new to fossil hunting. I found this today on uk beach where the rocks are from the triassic/jurassic period. It is quite large and is corrugated, similar to corrugated iorn. does any body know what it is? Many thanks

Seems that it's about a year between my Echies of Texas posts now, because it's getting harder and harder to find something new!! So far I have collected : Cretaceous: Macraster - texanus, elegens and washitaensis Heteraster - mexicanus, obliquetus and texanus Phymosoma texanum Goniopygus - zitelli, whitneyi and sp. Leptosalenia - mexicana, volana and texana and possible sp. Pliotoxaster - whitei and comanchei Hyposalenia phillipsae Pygopyrina hancockensis Holaster simplex Tetragramma texanum Loriolia - rosana and possibly whitei (if that is considered a viable species) Polydiadema travisensis Anorthopygus texanus Heterosalenia sp. Paraorthopsis comalensis Coenholectypus - planatus and ovatus Pseudodiadema aguilera Plagiochasma texanum Goniophorus scotti Hemiaster - calvini and bexari Washitaster sp. Diplodetus americanus Echinothurid sp. plates Balanocidarid spines Not Cretaceous Eocene Protoscutella mississippiensis Pennsylvanian Archeocidaris plates and spines Pronechinus plates and spines So I am happy to add a few new ones to my list! A not recent find (from last year) but newly prepped and all kinds of pretty ( it's actually kind of scrappy but I love it!!) is one of my absolute best finds: Codiopsis stephensoni Next up is kind of a heart breaker because I only found a fifth of it. When I saw it in the dirt, my heart skipped a few beats, thinking it was a whole one! It's so beautifully preserved and while I do have a very nice Paracidaris texanus in my collection, it was a gift and not self collected. SO I am happy to have at least found on my own....a fifth of a Paracidaris! And speaking of cidarids - I was super excited to find not one, not two, but three Balanocidarid spines in close association - all within 18 inches or so of each other. (Only two in the picture because my hunting partner actually found the third one, so she has it in her collection) Perhaps a test will reveal itself one day?? If I am to understand correctly, only spines have been found in Texas. Weird. Next up was a total surprise find (again, pretty scrappy, but hey, I'll take what I'm given) while walking a creek that I have found some good stuff in....just wasn't expecting to find a nice little urchin! It's a Globator whitneyi! And finally, from the Eocene - what are affectionately called BB Urchins....a tiny Fibularia texana from the Eocene. This was a gift as well. I didn't get to go on the East Texas field trip, but apparently lots of these can be found and so my friend Melvin gifted me one! It's about 1/4 inch well, and I just wanted to show off an absolute beauty of a Leptosalenia mexicana.....I have a few but this one is beautifully preserved and has amazing color!! Thank you to @JohnJ for my first L. mexicana....I was trying SO hard to find one and just couldn't so he gave me a tiny one. I have since found....quite a few. SO just keep looking....those critters are out there! PS...still trying to find that dang Tetragramma taffi.....

Hello all, it’s been a long time since I’ve last posted. A lot has changed, and I’ve been getting the fossil hunting bug again. (No pun-intended) You know what bug I do not want to catch? Ticks. I’ve already seen 3 this year, thankfully none on myself since I’ve been avoiding brush and tall grass. Yet the fear of catching a tick-born-disease is keeping me from fossil hunting. I am going on a fossil hunt out to a spot in western Pennsylvania this Saturday with my fossil club that I haven’t been to since 2016. I’m excited but also nervous about ticks. In the past there wasn’t a ton of brush there, since it’s a dam spillway in a park. But I went during the fall then, and as I remember ticks weren’t nearly as much of an issue then as they are today. Do any of you have any tips to keep ticks off of me this trip? I’ve read about DEET and permethrin sprays, and I am still unsure. I have two cats, so I am also worried about the toxicity of permethrin and other anti-tick substances. I will probably be wearing jeans and long sleeves to protect myself. Any help would be appreciated.

Hi everyone! I'm moving from my current country of resident, the Netherland, to Canada. Through the years I've amassed a semi-large fossil and mineral collection, and I want to take some of that collection with me to Canada. My only concern is that I might run into problem at the airport, so I wanted to ask around here if anybody had any experience with air travel with fossils/minerals in the Netherlands/Canada. I couldn't really find any information about this from the Netherlands, and Canada just vaguely says "it may be illegal to bring cultural property into Canada, such as antiques or fossils". Would anybody mind sharing their experiences the've had with these countries? Thanks in advance!

There are certain types of fossils, that I like to see polished. Petrified Wood, Ammonites, etc. There are certain types of fossils, that I do not like to see polished. Shark Teeth, Bones, etc. What are your preferences; about Polished, vs As Found?

Hey all, My Scottish friend and I (both first year students in Palaeontology and Geology) are planning a fossil trip to Scotland starting next Monday. Our main interests are vertebrate fossils, and Scotland is well known for its Carboniferous deposits where sharks, fish and tetrapods can be found! The 2 problems are: although we have a car, we wouldn't want to drive more than 2h to get to a site (we will be staying in Melrose, Scotland), and we also don't know many sites that are accessible to the public, not over vegetated or depleted, that contain abundant vertebrate fossils like shark teeth or Rhizodont teeth. Does anyone have any good locations me and my friend could go to find vertebrate fossils? Thank you so much and regards.

Hello to all. Some photos from a recent trip.

These 2 Fossils, with matrix attached; came out of a fossil rich pile of soil, at the Bone Valley Fossil Farm. This soil contained Megalodon Shark Teeth, Hemipristis Serra Shark Teeth, Dugong Rib Bones, etc. These 2 Fossils, were the only ones I found; which were these colors. (The Dugong Bones were White, and the Shark Teeth had Black Enamel and Greyish White Roots.) I believe both of these, to be Mammal Teeth. What say you? 1st Specimen:

Hello all, Found some nice fossils. Around Vaals in Limburg (the Netherlands), Cretaceous sediments occur. The Kalksteen van Vijlen (Vijlen chalk), Orsbach Kreide (Orsbach chalk) and Kunrader Kalksteen (Kunrader chalk) or Vetschauer Kalksteen are present. Fossils from these sediments consist of belemnites (Belemnella (Pachybelemnella) sumensis (Jeletzky, 1949) and/or Belemnella (Pachybelemnella) cimbrica (Birkelund, 1957), some forms are described as Belemnella ex gr. sumensis/cimbrica and Belemnitella sp.), sea urchins (Echinocorys sp. including Echinocorys scutata (Leske, 1778) and Cardiaster granulosus (Goldfuss, 1829), oysters (Pycnodonte vesicularis (Lamarck, 1806), shark teeth (for example Carcharias sp., Cretalamna lata (Agassiz, 1843) and Pseudocorax affinis (Münster in Agassiz, 1843) and other fossils. Many fossils are from the Vijlen Chalk (early Early to early Late Maastrichtian). Fossils from the Vijlen 0-3 and Vijlen 4-6 (Vijlen chalk) are approximately between 70.6 and 69.3 million years old (the basis of interval 0 of the Vijlen Member could be dated at 70.6 Ma). Lithology and bioclast contents for intervals 5 (upper part) and 6 of the Vijlen Member at Mamelis (Mamelis 62D-78) have indicated an age of 69.7-69.3 mya. Including the latest part of the late late Maastrichtian (Formatie van Maastricht), fossils can be between 70.6 and 66 million years old. Internet https://www.somniosus.be/Homepage_set.htm Literature Birkelund, T. (1957). Upper Cretaceous belemnites from Denmark. Det Kongelige Danske Videnskabernes Selskab, Biologiske Skrifter, 9, 1–69, Copenhagen. Christensen, W.K. (1995). Belemnitella from the Upper Campanian and Lower Maastrichtian chalks of Norfolk, England. Special Papers in Palaeontology, 51, 1-84. London. Felder, P.J. & Bless, M.J.M. (1994). The Vijlen Chalk (early Early to early Late Maastrichtian) in its type area around Vijlen and Mamelis (southern Limburg, The Netherlands). Annales de la Société géologique de Belgique 116: 61–85. Felder, W.M. & Bosch, P.W. (2000). Geologie van Nederland, deel 5. Krijt van Zuid-Limburg. NITG TNO, Delft/ Utrecht: 192 pp. Jagt, J.W.M. (2005). Stratigraphic ranges of mosasaurs in Belgium and the Netherlands (Late Cretaceous) and cephalopod-based correlations with North America. Netherlands Journal of Geosciences. 84. 10.1017/S0016774600021065. Jagt, J.W.M. (2012). Belemnitellid coleoids (Mollusca, Cephalopoda) from the type Maastrichtian, the Netherlands and Belgium. Scripta Geologica. Special Issue, 08, 93–112. Jagt, J.W.M, & Jagt-Yazykova, E.A. (2012). Stratigraphy of the type Maastrichtian – a synthesis. Scripta Geologica. Special Issue, 08, 5–32. Keutgen, N., Jagt, J.W., Felder, P., & Jagt-Yazykova, E. (2010). Stratigraphy of the upper Vijlen Member (Gulpen Formation; Maastrichtian) in northeast Belgium, the southeast Netherlands and the Aachen area (Germany), with special reference to belemnitellid cephalopods. Geologie En Mijnbouw, 89, 109-136. Jeletzky, J.A. (1949). Über den taxonomischen Wert einiger morphologischer Elemente des Rostrums der belemnitellenartigen Formen (Familie Belemnitellidae Pavlow, 1913), sowie über die Gattung Belemnella (Nowak, 1913,subg.) Jeletzky, 1941, ihre Phylogenie und einige Vertreter.Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paläontologie, B9, 257–287. Keutgen, N. (2011). The belemnite zonation of the uppermost Cretaceous in the Maastricht-AachenLiège, Brabant-Méhaigne and Mons areas (Belgium, southeast Netherlands). In: Jagt, J.W.M., Jagt-Jagt. Belemnitellid coleoids from the type Maastrichtian. Scripta Geol., Spec. Issue 8 (2012). Keutgen, N. (2018). A bioclast-based astronomical timescale for the Maastrichtian in the type area (southeast Netherlands, northeast Belgium) and stratigraphic implications: The legacy of P.J. Felder. Netherlands Journal of Geosciences, 97(4), 229-260. doi:10.1017/njg.2018.15 Nestler, H. (2002). Die Fossilien der Rügener Schreibkreide (4. überarbeitete und erweiterte Auflage). Die Neue Brehm-Bücherei Bd. 486., Hohenwarsleben (Westarp Wissenschaften-Verlagsgesellschaft mbH). Schulz, M.G. (1979). Morphometrisch-variationsstatistische Untersuchungen zur Phylogenie der Belemniten-Gattung Belemnella im Untermaastricht NW-Europas. Geologisches Jahrbuch, A47, 3–157. Van der Ham, R. & van Birgelen, M. (1992). Zeeëgels uit het Maastrichtien van de Schneeberg en omgeving (Aken, Duitsland). Natuurhistorisch Maandblad, 81(8/9), 139–153.

Will someone who has knowledge about this subject, please explain how and why we have so many interesting color variations in the world of fossils? Shark Teeth, Ammonites, Petrified Wood, etc. There are so many different color variations. And I like it!!!

Hello everyone, I just wanted to share some pictures from 2 trilobites I just got back from the prep lab! They were collected in February by me and @KompsFossilsNMinerals at Lafamilia quarry. Top to Bottom. 6 inch Isotelus gigas Gravicalymene sp.

im new to the fossil forum i live in the north west georgia area and was wandering if anyone knows of any fossil spots.

Hi all! I'm a fairly new fossil fan and a middle school science teacher. To my excitement, this was left in my classroom by a previous teacher. It looks to be bone and possibly petrified wood? I was hoping someone with more knowledge could help me out. Much thanks!!!!

As I am new in the world of paleontology and fossil collecting and eager to learn as much as possible, I was wondering if those books here are any good to have as I found them all in a nice lot from a clearence. Thank you all in advance. 1. Stratigraphical Palaeontology by E. Neaverson, published in 1955 2. Invertebrate Palaeontology and Evolution by E.N.K. Clarkson, 1989 3. Principles of Paleontology by David Raup and Steven Stanley, 1971 4. Wonderful Life, The Burgess Shale and the Nature History by Stephen Jay Gould, 1990 5. Wonders of Fossils by William Matthews, 1970 6. The Amateur Geologist by Peter Cattermole, 1973 7. British Palaeozoic Fossils, 1983 8. The Elements of Palaeontology by Rhona Black, 1975 9. Scottish Journal of Geology, Volume 4 Part 4, 1968 10. British Fossils by Duncan Forbes, 1965 11. The Story of Fossils in Search of a Vanished Worlds 12. Amber The Natural Time Capsule by Andrew Ross 13. Some Tertiary Molluscs from Southern Florida by W. C. Mansfield, 1931, journal paper 14. Molluscs From The Aspen Shale of Southernwestern Wyoming by JOhn Reeside and A. Allen Weymouth, 1931, journal paper 15. In Prehistoric Seas by Carroll Lane Fenton and Mildred Adams Fenton, 1964 16. Fossils of the World, A Comprehensive, Practical Guide to Collecting and Studying Fossils by Y. Turek, J. Marek and J. Benes, published in 1988. 17. The Fossils of the Burgess Shale by Derek Briggs, Douglas Erwin and Frederick Collier, published in 1994. 18. Life's Dawn on Earth by J.W. Dawson, 1875 19.Our Common British Fossils and where to Find Them by John Ellor Taylor the original 1885 first edition

Last weekend I found a few fairly small pieces of fossil, and I am not entirely sure on their identifications, but I have guesses. Location: Mississippi creek. (I am unsure on how much to share location-wise, in regards to name of creek, etc.). This area is outside of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. I thought the first one was a piece of wasp nest until I felt it. Some sort of coral? The second is perhaps also coral? The last one perhaps a crinoid stem? I do note there is a circular fossil next to it. The last one looks pretty distinctly like a shell impression. Any tips or suggestions are much appreciated. I keep doubting myself when I think I've figured them out.

Good evening, everyone. Does anyone have any book recommendations for fossil identification in general, but particularly for Mississippi or the Gulf Coast of the United States? I have Roadside geology of Mississippi, and it's been a great resource for some elements, but I'm looking for something a bit more detailed. Thank you! Jenn

Hi guys, new here just found this whilst strolling by the river here in the south of France in the Tarn. Is it a fossil or just a weird stone? Tia.

I am trying to ID what looks like round objects if anything in this opposite side of a conglomerate on the north shore of Caumsett Park, NY

My 15-year-old daughter and I dove Venice, FLA, on the 28 and 29 of March, and here’s our 2 day haul (6 dives). We had a great time. Some of the dugong ribs have possible bite marks as well. Doing it again in September!

I am heading to La Grange, TX on Sunday through wednesday. Is there anywhere I can get without too much trouble to find some stuff? any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hello all! Found some nice Cretaceous fossils from early early Maastichtian age (and/or late late Campanian). These are around 70-67 million or 70-68 million years old (the exact age is difficult to determine but around the mentioned 70-67 mya, possibly including the late late Maastrichtian). Mainly belemnites from the Belemnitella and Belemnella (Pachybelemnella) species and sea urchins (two 5-7 cm Echinocorys sp. Possibly E. scutata (Leske, 1778). Some belemnites are black and/or brown coloured. All the fossils are found in sediments of Cretaceous age (Formatie van Gulpen, Kalksteen van Vijlen, The Netherlands). Also found two bones and one horse tooth (Holocene age and/or Pleistocene).

Surface finds, this afternoon:

I found these two fragments at Horse Thief Canyon amongst numerous hadrosaur limb fragments and I am just curious to see if anyone can help identify them. Thanks very much.

This weekend I went to 'PaleoTime-NL 2023 International Fossil Event' in Houten (The Netherlands) . It was a super fun fair with a very variable offer. There were of course (a fair cannot do without ) some tables with Moroccan offerings. But what makes this local Dutch fair so attractive is the range of local material. For example, a lot of Pleistocene material from the North Sea was also offered. To my great surprise, I came across beautiful Trias material from the quarry of Winterswijk. But I also found Cretaceous material from the Dutch / Belgian quarries. I therefore had far too little cash with me and had to collect money several times at a local ATM . Here's a small impression! Inevitably Moroccan material: Some nice Pleistocene material: Scottish Devonian fishes in 3D list with hand drawn models: Demonstration of the preparation of a Nothosaurus fossil from Winterswijk (The Netherlands): Some of my Dutch and Belgian Cretaceous shark teeth which I couldn't resist : Thanks to all those nice people I spoke to that made the day extra fun. It was a long but satisfying day