Hi,
I'm a new member here, though I've read threads on the forum for years. In the warmer months, I'm an entomology geek, and I'm usually out trapping moths at my backyard UV setup or snapping pictures of dragonflies and the like. I'm also a longtime rockhound and paleontology fan, and it's the combination of my love for bugs, our cold-as-all-get-out winters here in MN (in winter there are no bugs), and the availability of fossil shale from the private Florissant Fossil Quarry that brings me here.
Long story short, I'm interested in finding some fossil insects, and I've recently purchased several pounds of shale from the private quarry. I've already found a gorgeous fossil leaf (presumably an extinct elm, if my research online is right; that's the second photo, taken via smartphone), and I think I've found a fossil fly of some variety. My question: Is it wishful thinking? This photo of the perhaps-bug is through a Aven digital microscope. The magnification on it isn't bonkers (only 10x-50x), but it is still a heck of lot better than with the unaided eye. (This thing is tiny. If need be, I can find a metric ruler for reference.)
OK, thanks, and take care.