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My son, Sean, treated me to a trip at the famous Ernst Shark Tooth Hill Quarry. We spent a total of two full days digging and about an hour sifting but the wind was to strong to be productive. The dust there is like fine powder, didn't know the human ear could hold so much dust. The rest of the trip was fantastic, mild temps and calm wind. Everyone wants to find that elusive Meg. but not the case for us Texans. I did find a lower Hemipristis which are very uncommon at the site. Pictured are my finds of two days digging, lots of Isurus planus and one 2 1\2 l.hastalis also a whale and two dolphin ear bones. Found some smalls as well, one Squatina and numerous dog fish teeth. Salvaged several teeth that were in matrix, makes neat display. Some of my finds suffered on the jet flight back to Dallas so next time will bring better packing material. Pictured are four colorful teeth from the West private quarry that can be seen behind the picture of Sean and me. They are totally different in color and better preserved, was lucky enough to meet the co-owner of the quarry and he sold me a couple of teeth, would love to hunt that one. Would I do another trip to Bakersville, Calf. Absolutely in a heartbeat, the Meg. still waits for me but thankful for the teeth I and my son found.

My wife and I worked the Slow Curve location at Ernst Quarries (Sharktooth Hill, Bakersfield, California) this past weekend and collected an exceptional C. hastalis from the bone bed. This is a very large lower tooth that measures 3.25" and is in pristine condition. I saw a post recently about Sharktooth Hill mentioning the road to East quarry was closed due to recent rain damage and questioning whether the Slow Curve location (the only location still open) is still productive. I can assure everyone it is a productive location to dig for middle Miocene marine fossils. In addition to this large hastalis, other uncommon prizes from the weekend included a complete lower Hexancus andersoni (sixgill shark), a pair of Allodesmus kernesis teeth (primitive sea lion), and an excellent Aulophyseter morricei tooth (pygmy sperm whale). Each day of digging will produce many of the species and sizes more common to the locale to complement any of the uncommon prizes you are lucky enough to find. If you happen to be near Bakersfield, CA and can afford the time, put this on your list of sites to visit and collect. It will be worth your time - just plan your trip before, or after, the brutal summer heat settles in. I am undecided as to whether I should remove this once in a lifetime lower hastalis from the matrix, or preserve the piece in the matrix as is. I'm curious about other collector's preference regarding the matrix - remove? OR intact?