Noah’s Trilobite Trips!

[NoahW24]

With the 3 day weekend, I was finally able to get out for a fossil hunt! I was located mostly around Utica NY. 
 

Day 1: I started at the bottom of the ocean with a benthic Triarthus site near Little Falls. After some literally prickly encounters getting down to the river, I pulled the thorns out of myself and had a beautiful little spot! Naturally the in-tact shale was on the opposite bank, so I had a nice cool wade on a hot summers day and thoroughly soaked my boots. The voyage was well worthwhile I’ve never worked with shale this clean before. One piece was 3x3 feet, and with the slightest tap, you could flip through the “pages” like an enormous stone book. 
 

to start us off here are some photos of the site and some finds. Help with ID on the algae/sponges accompanying the Triarthus trilo-bits is much appreciated!  

Any tips on prepping these Triarthus too? The shale is thin and they seem to be mostly upside down. 

 

Edited July 5, 2022 by NoahW24

[NoahW24]

Day 2: Geer Road Quarry! Last time I was in the area I went to DSR, and and I shook it up without entirely meaning to. There were some other nice non-forum collectors on site, and I was gifted a day in the low 70s. I am still in shock about how kind the quarry was to me. Lots of Greenops, a few Eldredgeops heads, some crinoid pieces, and a few mystery pals I would greatly appreciate ID help with. Maybe something spongey? The worm-shaped object was a find by digging companions who were nice enough to let me grab a picture. 

 

 

Edited July 5, 2022 by NoahW24

[Ludwigia]

2 hours ago, NoahW24 said:

Help with ID on the algae/sponges accompanying the Triarthus trilo-bits is much appreciated!  

 

I'm seeing mostly graptolites here.

[Tidgy's Dad]

Nice report and some super finds.

Love those graptolites.

Thanks for sharing.  

 

[FossilNerd]

Looks like you had a great weekend out. 
Beautiful scenery and nice finds! 

[Neanderthal Shaman]

Good stuff!

[NoahW24]

Here‘s the bigger Greenops after some more cleanup- the right eye is a little smushed too but still has visible lenses which I’m happy about! 
 

 

[NoahW24]

A little bit late updating this trip: Cole Hill Quarry adventure in the NY Devonian- Hamilton fm! This site was very pretty, and some rain the day before softened up some rock for easy separation. Several Dipleura dekayi cranidae ranging from .5-5 cm, and some Greenops trilobits. Day 2 was much more productive, and I focused in on one shelf from top to bottom. Some really delightful finds! My catch of the day was either this multi-species plate, with a Dipleura, a Greenops, a Brachiopod and a Bivalve. A little bit of dissociation on the critters but I am telling myself that they are from the same bug. Catch of the day #2 was this fantastic nautiloid, maybe a Tornoceras? It popped out beautifully and took me completely by surprise. Thanks for reading! 
 

 

Edited August 13, 2022 by NoahW24

[A.C.]

What do you use to prep those greenops. They turned out gorgeous 

[NoahW24]

2 hours ago, A.C. said:

What do you use to prep those greenops. They turned out gorgeous 

That’s very kind of you- thanks! I’ve been just using hand prep tools . Here’s a picture of the setup: mostly dremmel bits I use manually with thimbles, and some light brushing actually using the dremmel for polish.

[A.C.]

You are really getting good at that! You should be proud of how those turn out! 

[FossilSniper]

What the heck, your hand prep is phenomenal! If you posted a how-to on the prep forum I would be very, very thankful! Wonderful!

[Bringing Fossils to Life]

Nice ammonoid! That is my favorite fossil on this whole thread.