Gizmo Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 Here's a very rare fossil I found last Wednesday on the Potomac river. It's a Ranzania grahami beak, the Miocene version of the ocean sunfish. This one is incredibly complete having the entire bone structure behind the beak. I've included a photo to show the size and shape of this unusual fish. I'll be donating it to the Calvert Marine Museum. Thanks go to Mason Hintermeister , WhodamanHD for the id. 16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tidgy's Dad Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 Terrific find and, of course, bravo for donating it. Life's Good! Tortoise Friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnJ Posted March 22, 2020 Share Posted March 22, 2020 Well done, Walt! The human mind has the ability to believe anything is true. - JJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gizmo Posted March 22, 2020 Author Share Posted March 22, 2020 14 hours ago, Tidgy's Dad said: Terrific find and, of course, bravo for donating it. Thanks Adam! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gizmo Posted March 22, 2020 Author Share Posted March 22, 2020 8 hours ago, JohnJ said: Well done, Walt! Thank you John! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fossilized6s Posted March 22, 2020 Share Posted March 22, 2020 Simply awesome find! Congrats. 1 ~Charlie~ "There are those that look at things the way they are, and ask why.....i dream of things that never were, and ask why not?" ~RFK ->Get your Mosasaur print ->How to spot a fake Trilobite ->How to identify a CONCRETION from a DINOSAUR EGG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted March 22, 2020 Share Posted March 22, 2020 Fantastic, Walt! Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gizmo Posted March 22, 2020 Author Share Posted March 22, 2020 59 minutes ago, fossilized6s said: Simply awesome find! Congrats. Many thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gizmo Posted March 22, 2020 Author Share Posted March 22, 2020 56 minutes ago, Fossildude19 said: Fantastic, Walt! Thanks Tim! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darktooth Posted March 22, 2020 Share Posted March 22, 2020 What a nice, unusual, find! Congratulations! Kudos for donating to science! I like Trilo-butts and I cannot lie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tidgy's Dad Posted March 22, 2020 Share Posted March 22, 2020 12 hours ago, JohnJ said: Well done, Walt! I think we need an elbow bump emoticon. Life's Good! Tortoise Friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnJ Posted March 22, 2020 Share Posted March 22, 2020 3 minutes ago, Tidgy's Dad said: I think we need an elbow bump emoticon. Virtual contact is the best we can do. 1 The human mind has the ability to believe anything is true. - JJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeriderdon Posted March 22, 2020 Share Posted March 22, 2020 Sweet find! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffrey P Posted March 22, 2020 Share Posted March 22, 2020 Truly an impressive find and glad to hear it will be donated to noteworthy collection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gizmo Posted March 22, 2020 Author Share Posted March 22, 2020 8 hours ago, fossilized6s said: Simply awesome find! Congrats. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gizmo Posted March 22, 2020 Author Share Posted March 22, 2020 7 hours ago, Darktooth said: What a nice, unusual, find! Congratulations! Kudos for donating to science! Thanks for the nice comments! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gizmo Posted March 22, 2020 Author Share Posted March 22, 2020 4 hours ago, smokeriderdon said: Sweet find! Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gizmo Posted March 22, 2020 Author Share Posted March 22, 2020 4 hours ago, Jeffrey P said: Truly an impressive find and glad to hear it will be donated to noteworthy collection. Thanks Jeffrey! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gizmo Posted March 22, 2020 Author Share Posted March 22, 2020 Here's a picture of the site. - 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daleksec Posted March 23, 2020 Share Posted March 23, 2020 If it should be donated any where it should Go To Stratford Hall's Collections. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gizmo Posted March 23, 2020 Author Share Posted March 23, 2020 7 hours ago, Daleksec said: If it should be donated any where it should Go To Stratford Hall's Collections. I've worked with them on many projects and excavations over the last 15 years and have recovered many items for their collections. This fossil wasn't found on their property. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siteseer Posted March 23, 2020 Share Posted March 23, 2020 The beak is uncommon enough but it's quite rare to see it still attached to that articular end. Incredible find. I'm not sure the Smithsonian has one that complete. Collectors have found beaks at Lee Creek and Bakersfield (Sharktooth Hill Bonebed) but I've never seen one like that. @isurus90064 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gizmo Posted March 23, 2020 Author Share Posted March 23, 2020 33 minutes ago, siteseer said: The beak is uncommon enough but it's quite rare to see it still attached to that articular end. Incredible find. I'm not sure the Smithsonian has one that complete. Collectors have found beaks at Lee Creek and Bakersfield (Sharktooth Hill Bonebed) but I've never seen one like that. @isurus90064 Thanks Jess, I was lucky to find it. I've found 3 or 4 at Calvert Cliffs over the years but just the front edge without the enamel. We have many examples at the CMM and they're listed on page 201 of the Smithsonian Number 100. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FossilDAWG Posted March 23, 2020 Share Posted March 23, 2020 Ocean sunfish are one of my favorite fish! Thanks for showing us this amazing find. Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gizmo Posted March 23, 2020 Author Share Posted March 23, 2020 4 hours ago, FossilDAWG said: Ocean sunfish are one of my favorite fish! Thanks for showing us this amazing find. Don Thanks Don! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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