Lobster bisque

[steviefossils]

Hello all,

 

I found the following (possible) Hoploparia sp. tail, abdomen section, and partial claw/arm on a recent trip in NJ. I haven't seen too many of these posted so I thought I would share. I also included a video to show how much is exposed on each side.

 

Thanks for viewing. 

 

 

[Jeffrey P]

Really nice specimen! Congrats. Some careful prep work could possibly expose it more. 

[Fossildude19]

Very cool find!

Thanks for showing us.

[FossilNerd]

Awesome find! I agree with @Jeffrey P. A little prep work may go a long way. 

[FossilDAWG]

Very nice!

 

Don

[historianmichael]

Sweet find!

[steviefossils]

@FossilNerd and @Jeffrey P I started to remove matrix but it's very clingy. One small piece I removed took a piece of of the fossil surface with it. With that observation I decided I'd rather not destroy what I do have.  Though I probably don't have the proper tools to clean it. I was using a tooth brush and a paper clip to remove matrix. Definitely not the most scientific...

Edited November 3, 2021 by steviefossils

[FossilNerd]

6 minutes ago, steviefossils said:

@FossilNerd and @Jeffrey P I started to remove matrix but it's very clingy. One small piece I removed took a piece of of the fossil surface with it. With that observation I decided I'd rather not destroy what I do have. 

Understandable.

 

Better to have a half covered fossil than no fossil at all! 
 

Still, it’s a great find and you should be proud of it.  

[steviefossils]

4 minutes ago, FossilNerd said:

Understandable.

 

Better to have a half covered fossil than no fossil at all! 
 

Still, it’s a great find and you should be proud of it.  

Thanks! I may try again in the future, once I've learned more about removing matrix. If I do I'll post updated pictures. 

[Crusty_Crab]

16 hours ago, steviefossils said:

@FossilNerd and @Jeffrey P I started to remove matrix but it's very clingy. One small piece I removed took a piece of of the fossil surface with it. With that observation I decided I'd rather not destroy what I do have.  Though I probably don't have the proper tools to clean it. I was using a tooth brush and a paper clip to remove matrix. Definitely not the most scientific...

I would also applaud your remarkable self control. In my excitement, I (and probably many others) are liable to attempt to prepare something without the sufficient tools or experience only to risk destroying it. 

[steviefossils]

20 hours ago, Crusty_Crab said:

I would also applaud your remarkable self control. In my excitement, I (and probably many others) are liable to attempt to prepare something without the sufficient tools or experience only to risk destroying it. 

Thank you! Believe me, I would love to expose more of it. But I haven't seen too many of these and would loathe myself for destroying what seems to be an uncommon find. The only appropriate thing to do is take a step back and start researching. 

[jpc]

NIce fossil.  Yes, this sort of thing is not a specimenyou want to learn prep skills on.  These things are difficult to prep even in a well stocked lab.  Looks great as is.

 

[sixgill pete]

Wow! Very nice. Thanks for sharing.

[steviefossils]

Thought I would share with everyone. I found a thread from 2010 on TFF about the same topic: removing a lobster from NJ marl. The consensus: remove loose stuff and leave the rest.