Fossils 2020

[JamesAndTheFossilPeach]

With 2020 over with its now a good time to look back at the year. It was a decent year for fossils. I explored many new spots and was able to meet many new people, 6 feet apart of course.

 With the diagnosis of tendinitis i was not able to dig much this year but i was able to make the most of it. The first thing  found since my last post was this epic bryozoan colony. It came out of the very top of the Wanakah shale and weighs almost 8 pounds. Im unsure of species but I think its pretty cool 

[JamesAndTheFossilPeach]

Next I took a trip back to the Murder Creek beds of the Wanakah shale and found this killer quadruple

[JamesAndTheFossilPeach]

I also explored a spot on smokes creek. I went out twice a week for about a month. I ended up getting a really good idea about where certain layers were and was able to find some cool stuff. 

[JamesAndTheFossilPeach]

[JamesAndTheFossilPeach]

Back at penndixie with all of the smokes creek under many feet of dirt i switched gears to the bayview coral layer and was able to find this beautiful calyx

[JamesAndTheFossilPeach]

The only real trip I took this year was camping trip to Herkimer. While I was there I of course had to collect some diamonds but what was more exciting was the chance to collect triarthrus. I was able to get an awesome 14 plate and even a conularid

[JamesAndTheFossilPeach]

[JamesAndTheFossilPeach]

[JamesAndTheFossilPeach]

[JamesAndTheFossilPeach]

In December I was taken to a spot on 18 mile creek where we collected gonaitites and plant material including this nice mantioceras and this awesome stick

[JamesAndTheFossilPeach]

[JamesAndTheFossilPeach]

[JamesAndTheFossilPeach]

To start off the new year, actually the day after new year’s l went to the Erie Canal and picked up a few dalminities and a possible complete trimerus though I’m doubtful the head is there 

[JamesAndTheFossilPeach]

[JamesAndTheFossilPeach]

I think over the last year though my biggest achievement is the display case my friend built for me. It has taken me many years get everything in it so I think it’s awesome 

[JamesAndTheFossilPeach]

[connorp]

Very nice finds! And great display case.

[Ludwigia]

Looks like you've had a good year. Congrats! Nice display case too.

[Coco]

8 hours ago, JamesAndTheFossilPeach said:

The only real trip I took this year was camping trip to Herkimer. While I was there I of course had to collect some diamonds

I just want to clarify something to avoid misinterpretation.

Herkimer diamonds are quartz (SiO2) of great purity and faceted naturally, so they are very shiny, hence their name based on the fact that they look like diamonds (C), but they are not diamonds. I picked them up in northern Spain when I was younger. They are very difficult to photograph because of their extreme transparency.

 

Coco

[Fossildude19]

Great finds and display, James!   

Any chance of seeing individual shots of each shelf?   

[Kane]

Well done, James. 

[Malcolmt]

James, looks like you had a really good year. I had the worst collecting year ever. Only found 1 trilo and 10 crinoids that I kept. Hopefully we will get the US Canada border open and I can get back down to your area once all this Covid settles down and it is safe to socialize again. Sure miss collecting with you folks....

[JamesAndTheFossilPeach]

36 minutes ago, Coco said:

I just want to clarify something to avoid misinterpretation.

Herkimer diamonds are quartz (SiO2) of great purity and faceted naturally, so they are very shiny, hence their name based on the fact that they look like diamonds (C), but they are not diamonds. I picked them up in northern Spain when I was younger. They are very difficult to photograph because of their extreme transparency.

 

Coco

Oops that’s my bad. I knew that I just forgot to add it. I wish they were diamonds though but one can only hope.

[Jeffrey P]

An impressive cache of finds cataloging a very productive year. And all of them found in New York State. Way to go! That Mantioceras has me drooling and nice to see a bivalve from Western New York. Big congratulations and thanks for sharing these.

[JamesAndTheFossilPeach]

3 hours ago, Fossildude19 said:

Great finds and display, James!   

Any chance of seeing individual shots of each shelf?   

Yes definitely