Search the Community

April 10, 2021 1-4 pm Spring Valley, Minnesota Eagle Bluff Environmental Education Center organized hunt Led by Bev Sandlin, Bluffcountryfossils.net Whispering Winds, Spring Valley, MN Galena Formation Ordovician fossils What FUN!!! And what Great Finds! This hunt was organized by Eagle Bluff Environmental Education Center in Lanesboro, MN. I am doing hunts for them every 2nd Saturday of the month through this season and any private hunts they book as well. We had about 20 participants and it was a whirlwind hunt they all were enjoying as I left them still hunting the 3rd site at 4 pm! We started at my place, Whispering Winds, Spring Valley, MN with the fossil gardens to acclimate their eyes to what fossils they are looking for and a bit about the Ordovician time period. This is the river bank hunt portion of site 1. The cliff face is great for showing the difference between the Stewartville and Prosser members of the Galena Formation. I wish I had pics of all the fossils we found on this hunt! But I have a few and this cephalopod is one found along the creek bank. We hunted by the spring, the abandoned quarry and then the "Cave Man" cave. Taking pictures in the cave. Y And what finds! You will have to forgive my photos as these were all taken in the field on a very cool, 40 degree F, spring day. One of the BEST 3D graptolites I have ever seen! Without a microscope, I can't tell if this is a "print" of crinoids or bryzoans, but it is spectacular! And fragile, and of course these all went home with the collectors. :-D Any of you know what this is??? And DRUM ROLL, I am so envious of this find, a THALEOPS TRILOBITE that appears whole! And this guy is large! Perhaps 2 inches or better across! Dad, an experienced hunter from over south of La Crosse, Caleb's old territory, found this and the trilo is pictured with his son. What a PRIZE!!! We moved on to site 2 with lots collected there including this nice gastropod. Gotta love the enthusiasm of the kids! :-D And onto site 3 where I left them all happily breaking rock! I did invite anyone back over to my home if they needed IDs. I went home exhausted, as I just had surgery the week before and my last covid vaccination which put me down for two days that week, but so happy to see so many smiles under the masks! Thank you TFF for making this possible! Without all of the oh so patient TFF members teaching me about fossils, I would not be able to share the joy of fossil hunting with others! KUDOs TFF!!! Oh, FYI, I know my fossil blog is down, but can't seem to figure out how to get it back up on hostgator. The gal who did it has since died and I'm not techy, but working on it. Anyone with suggestions, please PM me. :-D