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Winter storm fossil hunting at the coast


Manticocerasman

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A new fossil hunt on the French coast this weekend. The winter storms from the past week battered the coastline and this resulted of course in a few really nice finds.

This time we weren’t prospecting alone, but two friends who recently started to collect fossils tagged along .

The Saturday morning we prospected the late Jurassic beaches, we started with a slow start, but we finally did find 3 really nice echinoids, and a big ( heavy ) ammonite.

At noon we went to the 2nd spot with late cretaceous chalk ( Cenomanian), here the storms really did their work, the recent scree piles were completely washed out and loos fossiliferous boulders were scattered all around. I did found some quite nice ammonites ( Acanthoceras rhotomagense and Cunningtoniceras inerme ), but Natalie hit the jackpot with 2 terrific finds.

First up she found a huge and complete nautilus ( Cymatoceras elegans ) only slightly weathered on the side from peeking out of the boulder.

A little bit further she found a big turillites ( Hypoturillites tuberculatus) from 25cm, the best part was that it came out in one piece, those heteromorphs usually break in fragments if you try to remove them.

 

On Saturday we went to some Kimmeridgian exposures, but the storm on that day made it really difficult to search and we had to go back to the car’s after a couple of hours due to the terrible weather.

But we did find quite a few Aspidoceras sp. ammonites.

 

the saturday morning:

IMG_9935.thumb.JPG.6a136b85d55ee4ac920cc38e0bfa4281.JPGIMG_9933.thumb.JPG.cb246373585b4cb0f6830688a9eeb131.JPG

IMG_9937.thumb.JPG.6a635c2f146a020fbc415a7811384cc0.JPGIMG_0011.thumb.JPG.3e7ab9c781b06c07c0b58d0835817fda.JPG

 

 

saturday afternoon:

IMG_9944.thumb.JPG.c7c85a49784ae29e1459848819966e61.JPGIMG_9949.thumb.JPG.c36cbbd621f035649066f056ceb86841.JPGIMG_9938.thumb.JPG.30737144791b445bfe79f3d0c0526cdf.JPGIMG_9951.thumb.JPG.5e491677b0f1b83f713cba6d91464e57.JPGIMG_9955.thumb.JPG.196de12a306a3534a9fba166394d7db4.JPG

 

The stunning Cymatoceras

IMG_0015.thumb.JPG.2c0099051dbec7d823ae4aeb3ca60160.JPGIMG_0013.thumb.JPG.8b1376d6a7a0f47a14b9405038247046.JPG

 

the turillites:

IMG_0012.thumb.JPG.8edfc195176cd3ad00e3b3292cc94886.JPG

IMG_9956.thumb.JPG.11492f51a55126c569d8927c289771e7.JPGIMG_9983.thumb.JPG.b74dba1ec0748e84fd37e3159c104407.JPG

 

The haul from this weekend:

IMG_9961.thumb.JPG.38d57970a5fc27cbc252fc972da2503f.JPG

 

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growing old is mandatory but growing up is optional.

 

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36 minutes ago, Ludwigia said:

It sure does pay off sometimes to be close to the source! That Cymatoceras is going to be a stunner and congrats on that complete Turrilites!

I started on them when I got home yesterday, I couldnt wait :)  ( Patience is not a virtue I posses :fear:)

 

 

Cymatoceras elegans :

Cenomanian

30cm diameter

IMG_9970.thumb.JPG.43593e8578a657db289a0ef9bfcea1f6.JPGIMG_9972.thumb.JPG.d10c42fe398f97ce389dbd95fed3cda8.JPGIMG_9973.thumb.JPG.9fe98ab4f37af4e92dce2313bca4cb16.JPGIMG_9974.thumb.JPG.a875b652c109e434fbf2d0c842b925fa.JPGIMG_9976.thumb.JPG.7acd62684bf295711554a7a9862bf8fb.JPGIMG_9978.thumb.JPG.928911c6e0cd8feeb92a1966471b7e66.JPGIMG_9992.thumb.JPG.30c73960eea822ac9160bc40fe32bdfd.JPG

 

Hypoturillites tuberculatus:

Cenomanian

lenght: 25cm

IMG_9983.thumb.JPG.af6a35c5be39937cc615a59474677855.JPGIMG_9985.thumb.JPG.7f043db843d0dbfb8727fbe5edcc68ee.JPGIMG_9990.thumb.JPG.a46c84fee35f4c6bec0afa3820d89b35.JPGIMG_9993.thumb.JPG.2696fff0ee543c8e310f59e2dab43b46.JPG

 

 

 

 

 

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:default_faint::envy:

 

Great job, Kevin and Natalie!!!  The echinoids are great, but the nautiloid and heteromorph ammonite are fantastic!!!  Do I sense a "Fossil of the Month" entry or two??? :zzzzscratchchin::)

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Great report, and lovely finds.  :drool:

Congratulations Kevin and Natalie. 

Well done. :) 

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    Tim    VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER

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"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks."
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Great finds as usual, gosh I really should visit this place one day :D 
Thanks for sharing! 

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Interested in all things paleontology, geology, zoology, evolution, natural history and science!
Professional exotic pet keeper, huge fantasy geek, explorer of the microfossil realm, member of the BVP (Belgian Association for Paleontology), Volunteer prepper at Oertijdmuseum Boxtel.  

View my collection topic here:

The Growing Collection of Ziggycardon
My animal collection at the "Members pet" topic

Ziggycardon's exploration of the microfossil realm

Trips to Eben Emael (Maastrichtian of Belgium)

My latest fossil hunt

 

Next project will be a dedicated prepping space.

 

"A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge." - Tyrion Lannister

 

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Really nice pictures, amazing fossils - the prep on the Cymatoceras and the Hypoturrilites is looking good!

Edited by The Amateur Paleontologist
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Opalised fossils are the best: a wonderful mix between paleontology and mineralogy!

 

Q. Where do dinosaurs study?

A. At Khaan Academy!...

 

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Wow, some really nice finds and great prep work as well.  It looks like a beautiful place to hunt fossils, especially on dryer, sunny days.  Sounds like Natalie is your lucky "rabbit foot", she made some wonderful finds.  Did your friends find some fossils as well?  Hope they enjoyed their first hunting trip.

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19 minutes ago, Ruger9a said:

Wow, some really nice finds and great prep work as well.  It looks like a beautiful place to hunt fossils, especially on dryer, sunny days.  Sounds like Natalie is your lucky "rabbit foot", she made some wonderful finds.  Did your friends find some fossils as well?  Hope they enjoyed their first hunting trip.

Yes, our friends did find quite a few fossils to, mostly ammonites , but also some fossil sponges, brachiopods and Inoceramus shells.

I'll see if they can send me some pictures of their finds this week, I'll make sure to post them

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growing old is mandatory but growing up is optional.

 

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Great!  I'm too old to go on field trips so I really enjoy looking at photos from others.  Thanks for posting them. 

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Super finds! Sometimes all those nasty storms leave behind some treasure. :)

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-Dave

__________________________________________________

Geologists on the whole are inconsistent drivers. When a roadcut presents itself, they tend to lurch and weave. To them, the roadcut is a portal, a fragment of a regional story, a proscenium arch that leads their imaginations into the earth and through the surrounding terrain. - John McPhee

If I'm going to drive safely, I can't do geology. - John McPhee

Check out my Blog for more fossils I've found: http://viewsofthemahantango.blogspot.com/

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Nice finds (as always) :D Congrats!

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Many greetings from Germany ! Have a great time with many fossils :)

Regards Sebastian

Belo.gif

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Congratulations on some amazing finds and a great report and pics. Glad you were able to take advantage of the opportunity nature provided. 

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The Hypoturrilites and especially the Cymatoceras are really beautiful, but I rather like the little echinoids too. 

Super finds, well done Natalie and Kevin. :)

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What a delightful hunt, the storm really rewarded you guys for your initiative. The Hypoturrilltes is simply spectacular and I love the color on the Cymatoceras as well. 

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update on a few preps:

 

a Cunningtoniceras inerme:

 

as found:

IMG_9939.thumb.JPG.e87412bee7f418c83ddaca1ca987f452.JPG

 

Preparation:

 

IMG_9996.thumb.JPG.8a966f2c794c8f72ed7a43f66f1aef3a.JPGIMG_9998.thumb.JPG.ca30a42fba12a7884621393e3aa9a741.JPGIMG_0001.thumb.JPG.6c71a543aeca8df183196fbdf610d73b.JPG

 

And a Acanthoceras rhotomagense:

IMG_0003.thumb.JPG.2fb3ff23cdef58d10905e8d2f8d33bdd.JPGIMG_0005.thumb.JPG.957dfab613dd0745d72abc6ec4fa715d.JPG

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Wow, Fantastic prep work on both of those. Dare I say, cunning prep work?  :ninja:

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-Dave

__________________________________________________

Geologists on the whole are inconsistent drivers. When a roadcut presents itself, they tend to lurch and weave. To them, the roadcut is a portal, a fragment of a regional story, a proscenium arch that leads their imaginations into the earth and through the surrounding terrain. - John McPhee

If I'm going to drive safely, I can't do geology. - John McPhee

Check out my Blog for more fossils I've found: http://viewsofthemahantango.blogspot.com/

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17 minutes ago, Shamalama said:

Wow, Fantastic prep work on both of those. Dare I say, cunning prep work?  :ninja:

tenor.gif?itemid=7320811

:P  cunning wordplay 

growing old is mandatory but growing up is optional.

 

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On 17-2-2020 at 2:36 PM, Ruger9a said:

Wow, some really nice finds and great prep work as well.  It looks like a beautiful place to hunt fossils, especially on dryer, sunny days.  Sounds like Natalie is your lucky "rabbit foot", she made some wonderful finds.  Did your friends find some fossils as well?  Hope they enjoyed their first hunting trip.

Ruger, those are a few pictures of the fossils our friends found, but they still need to prep some:

IMG_0020.thumb.JPG.b0665cd937b92965e61ec8ee1b6968e1.JPGIMG_0023.JPG.c14de747befd922110a188f995cfdd05.JPGIMG_0024.JPG.197dc06f90693bdef686a67e61bcdab5.JPGIMG_0025.JPG.aa12aa30ebbd3e78ae7a9fb2f33efc29.JPGIMG_0026.JPG.1973708dab7e8dc644f95c29c67cebf3.JPGIMG_0021.JPG.f4708551443d90608250b5d2880d375b.JPGIMG_0022.JPG.5f5a4e10900b83eac95fe41964bc4962.JPG

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growing old is mandatory but growing up is optional.

 

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Bet they were pleased with the results of their first fossil hunting trip.  Some nice finds that will clean up nicely.  Are they going to start practicing their prepping skills as well?

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