Fossil Hunting in John Day

[Huntonia]

I've been meaning to make this post for a while, finally getting around to it. Back in July I made a trip to John Day for my first ever fossil hunt. Before I get to our finds, of course when in the area you have to spend some time enjoying the scenery of the gorgeous painted hills

also on the list was the visitor center, unfortunately I didn't get many pictures there but here are a few highlights:

Continued...

[Huntonia]

And my favorite of their displays, this amazing Eporeodon:

[Huntonia]

Here's a couple of metasequoia I found at Wheeler High school in the town of Fossil:

I've made some progress trying to uncover some of them but the rock composed of very thin layers that are quite hard to pry apart effectively

Before:

After:

[Huntonia]

Before:

After:

[Huntonia]

I wasn't as fortunate with the leafs but I did get a few decent partials:

and since people are showing off their collecting vehicles here's mine, or what's left of it  Unfortunately it did not survive it's first and only fossil trip, there was a collision (through no fault of my own) on the return trip. 

Anyways I'm mostly recovered from my injuries and a replacement veicle has been obtained. 

 

I hope you all enjoyed this brief recap of my trip. Despite the ending, I had a blast and can't wait to hunt more. 

[Tidgy's Dad]

I'm glad you and the fossils were okay. 

Sorry about the car. 

[Huntonia]

4 hours ago, Tidgy's Dad said:

I'm glad you and the fossils were okay. 

Sorry about the car. 

That's how life goes sometimes, best we can do is adapt. I'm very glad that I was able to walk away from this one, and of course that the fossils survived. 

[Ludwigia]

I like the way you sort of nonchalantly mention "oh, by the way, my car got wrecked". I guess you've recovered from the trauma by now, eh ? Nice finds for a first trip and lovely scenery. Thanks for sharing.

[minnbuckeye]

So close to the drivers door! Someone must have been looking over you. Are the lovely leaves from the banded hills?

 

 Mike

[Huntonia]

I forgot to mention earlier, there was some good wildlife viewing along the way. What I somehow failed to get any pictures of was the largest elk herd I've ever seen. A rough count came up with at least 120, many of which were calves. I did get a picture of this doe however

[Huntonia]

5 hours ago, minnbuckeye said:

Are the lovely leaves from the banded hills?

The fossils shown above are from Wheeler High school, the John day formation/bridge creek flora runs through the school's property. In exchange for a donation to the school, visitors are allowed to collect.