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Let me preface this report by saying that I would never usually post something with this much text, however, I see this as a sort of introduction to other members of this site. Most of you are probably unfamiliar with me, so I will provide a little bit of backstory. Before I get stated, I would like to just thank everyone involved with TheFossilForum, be they moderators or just enthusiasts, for kick starting what I have come to think of as my new hobby/passion. I should say, if you are looking for any rare or eye-popping specimens, you have come to the wrong place. Aside from that, please enjoy the following report on my first true fossil hunt. A couple of weeks ago, I accompanied my brother and one of this friends on a trip up to the very well-known Starved Rock State Park. After reading about the area and looking it over on maps, I decided that I would attempt to look for some fossils while we were nearby. In the days leading up to our trip, I did my best to study old ISGS field trip guidebooks from the LaSalle area, as well as someone’s paper written on a roadcut in the same area. I also used this site (http://ebeltz.net/fieldtrips/lasalle.html) to get information on the region’s geology, in fact, this webpage is where I first read about the cut. Macon County, where I live, doesn’t have a whole lot to offer anyone interested in fossils. Ice Age glaciers have leveled and reset much of the landscape as recently as 20,000 years ago, leaving abandoned coal mines as the only place to view exposed bedrock (which have all probably been sealed off anyway). Although interesting things can be found in nearby fields and streams, the fossils I find in the best shape are typically nothing to write home about. With my interest in paleontology/geology having popped up in only the last couple of years, I hadn’t until recently thought about going on any sort of fossil hunt, therefore, I jumped at the chance. So, after we got off I-39 at Oglesby, I had my brother drop me off at the side of the road, while they continued on toward to the Dells at Matthiessen State Park. After about 30 seconds of looking over the twelve foot high cut, I noticed a small brachiopod sitting on one of the ledges. I picked up the specimen of what I would later come to identify as Composita and stuffed it in my pocket. It was a great feeling, like finding a chipped arrowhead times ten. I quickly found a few other specimens, I believe they were also Composita. Even with a good start, I didn’t have too many more fossils in that great of shape when we left for Starved Rock. The trip was well worth it, however, even if only for the experience. I only spent around an hour and a half at the roadcut that Saturday, so I knew I would have to return and give it another go. With fall classes about to begin, I wanted to try and get back up to LaSalle County before school resumes dominating my schedule. Staring at my mostly so-so finds from that day was only adding to my anticipation. So, a week after that fateful Saturday, I decided that I would be going on a solo trip up to Oglesby, leaving the next morning. I left the house at eight and got to my first stop just under two hours later. Before leaving, I had seen only one picture of this cut, so I had no idea what to expect. I figured the typical mid-summer Illinois problems like ticks, mosquitos and thick vegetation would all be present, so I brought spray and long pants. Vegetation and ticks? No problem at all. My old friend the mosquito was there, but along with him were the most horrific flies I have ever encountered. I have no idea what they were, but they must have bitten me 40 times on my face alone. Just awful, I’m covered in bites. All unpleasantness aside, I had a great time. It was my first true fossil hunt, and it will certainly be a very memorable one. As soon as I crossed the ditch in front of the cut, I noticed a wide variety of fossils cemented to an adjacent boulder. It is at this point in the report that I shamefully admit to taking just one close-up photo that day, my bad. I did, however, take a few pictures of my finds after I got back. I saw a few of the Pennsylvanian classics while I was up there: Linoproductus, Juresania, Composita, Antiquatonia, Echinaria, Punctospirifer.