Good Day On The Peace River

[PODIGGER]

Got back out to the Peace River yesterday,  returning to the spot that gave me a nice bison tooth on my previous visit.  It was 67* F on arrival and breezy.  A bit unusual for Florida at this time of year!  The water was warmer than the air temp.  It was also a little deeper, more cloudy and running a little faster due to rain the previous night.  I paddled up stream, portaged over a small area of rapids and was digging by 8:30am.  Started off in the last dig spot but was turning up nothing but small shark teeth.  It was enough to keep me encouraged but not enough to keep me from feeling the cold breeze.  It got to the point where I put my life jacket on to help retain body heat - wind chill in Florida can make it feel downright cold!  Who knew?

 

With the first dig spot not yielding much I moved about 20' and started in on some fresh gravel.  It wasn't long before I started picking up some nice finds.  First was a nice horse molar -

 

 

 

 

A little while later up came a small jaw bone - some type of rodent or fish? It measured 40 mm x 16 mm x 4 mm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

All the while I kept picking up various shark teeth, pieces of turtle/tortoise shell, a small piece of dolphin jaw and 5 small turtle leg spurs.  My digging was interrupted by another fossil hunter heading north on the river who stopped to chat for a while.  Turned out he was not "aware" he needed a permit and said he would be sure to apply for one right away.  This came up because he mentioned his hopes of finding artifacts and I let him know it would be illegal for him to take any from the river.  When we started talking I had stuck my shovel into the gravel pile and turned away from it.  After my visitor moved on I pulled up the shovel and sitting right on top was the largest complete turtle/tortoise scute I have ever found.  It measures 79 mm x 55 mm x 10mm - maybe Giant Tortoise? - I was unable to find a match last night in my reference materials. 

 

 

 

 

 

The site continued to provide surprises with this camel cuboid popping up a little later - It measures 43 mm x 16 mm x 4mm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I feel pretty confident in the ID thanks to a photo reference I found here on the forum created and posted by @Harry Pristis  I include here for comparison -

 

 

Thanks Harry!

I think I had a great day with finds that also included a couple of alligator teeth tips and a cup full of various shark teeth - 

 

 

 

I think a return to the same spot is warranted on Monday!

 

[Family Fun]

Very nice finds.  The river never disappoints 

[PrehistoricWonders]

Awesome trip report, & Nice finds! 

Edited May 16, 2021 by Familyroadtrip

[PODIGGER]

Thanks for the comments gentleman.  I am heading back tomorrow and hope to take some river pictures for posting.  With some luck I may have a few new finds too!

[fossilcrazee]

Good luck!  Hunting that river is on my bucket list 

[PODIGGER]

Thanks!