Tuesday on the White River

[PaleoNoel]

Hello everyone! know I've been slacking on updates on my three week trip to Wyoming with PaleoProspectors, but I promise I will post some more of my finds and do a full recap of last week's adventure as soon as I can. As for tonight, I'll share my experience hunting in the white river formation today,

 

A view of where I began my day hunting.

 

My first find: A section of Paleolagus (rabbit) jaw.

 

Next I found a native american artifact

 

After entering a larger area of exposures I came across this Mesohippus (horse) jaw.

 

[PaleoNoel]

This next fossil had a pattern I recognized immediately, the fused osteoderms of a lizard (peltosaurus?).

A medium sized astragalus, maybe an oreodont?

One of my best finds of the day, a section of jaw from the early canid, Hesperocyon.

[PaleoNoel]

Another great find, a well preserved shell (with part of the skeleton inside) of a tortoise (probably Stylemys)

[Huntonia]

I love that tortoise! 

[PaleoNoel]

Wrapping up the day I found a partial oreodont skull (right maxilla, orbit and other parts), an oreodont jaw and a probable tortoise humerus or femur.

[PaleoNoel]

3 minutes ago, Huntonia said:

I love that tortoise! 

thanks!

[Nimravis]

Great finds, come across any anthills? I love the micro fossils that the ants bring up.

[Bobby Rico]

Great finds and photos.  

[RuMert]

Nice finds: jaws, tortoise shells, 5 minutes short of complete skeletons

[FossilNerd]

4 hours ago, Nimravis said:

Great finds, come across any anthills? I love the micro fossils that the ants bring up.

Ants actually do this?! That is neat! I know the ants don’t know they are fossil digging, but this sure does jump start a boys imagination!  

 

@PaleoNoel Looks like you found some great stuff, and that tortoise was a trip maker for sure! 

[Troodon]

Nice finds good to find jaw sections with teeth not something you see often in dino country

[Fossildude19]

Great report and finds, so far! 

Thanks for posting this.  

Regards,

[PaleoNoel]

8 hours ago, Nimravis said:

Great finds, come across any anthills? I love the micro fossils that the ants bring up.

 

7 hours ago, Bobby Rico said:

Great finds and photos.  

 

5 hours ago, RuMert said:

Nice finds: jaws, tortoise shells, 5 minutes short of complete skeletons

 

3 hours ago, FossilNerd said:

Ants actually do this?! That is neat! I know the ants don’t know they are fossil digging, but this sure does jump start a boys imagination!  

 

@PaleoNoel Looks like you found some great stuff, and that tortoise was a trip maker for sure! 

 

2 hours ago, Troodon said:

Nice finds good to find jaw sections with teeth not something you see often in dino country

 

2 hours ago, Fossildude19 said:

Great report and finds, so far! 

Thanks for posting this.  

Regards,

 

[jpc]

Good stuff... the lizard scutes are Helodermoides....  

I think I have collected on this ranch in the past.  

[aplomado]

What a great place!

[FossilDAWG]

Overall an excellent day it seems to me. 

 

Don

[jpc]

1 hour ago, jpc said:

Good stuff... the lizard scutes are Helodermoides....  

I think I have collected on this ranch in the past.  

and if they are fused, we might be looking at the skull roof.  What does the other side look like?  

[Ludwigia]

Great finds, particularly the tortoise.

[Jackson g]

Wow great trip and finds! That tortoise shell is a real trophy! Did you jacket it out or leave it there?

[turtlesteve]

Ooooh I love that tortoise   Hope you got it out in one piece.  One day I’ll find one that is intact...

[Monica]

Wonderful and varied vertebrate finds - congratulations!

[ParkerPaleo]

Heading to the White River in a few weeks myself.  Looks like you had a great trip, cool finds!

[jpc]

1 hour ago, ParkerPaleo said:

Heading to the White River in a few weeks myself.  Looks like you had a great trip, cool finds!

Have fun.  I went out a few weekends ago... found a couple oreodont skulls and a matched set of lowers.  Not much beyond oreos.