Two New Creeks In Austin Chalk. *mainly Field Shots & Outcroppings"

[surfergirlatx]

Good evening TFF!

I have been exploring several sites in the Cretaceous aged Austin Chalk of Central Texas.

Yesterday I was able to visit two new creeks. Decided to give the old back a rest so I went out and took several field shots of the new locations.

I invite you to join me on my fossil exploration of the Austin Chalk.

CREEK ONE

These next 4 photos are of this interesting rippled stone. Pic #1 is me standing next to this rippled stone that went the entire way up the little hill.

#1. #2.

#3. #4. (close up view)

Maybe someone on TFF has seen this type of rock formation before?

*CONTINUED*

Edited February 24, 2012 by surfergirlatx

[surfergirlatx]

CREEK ONE

#5. # 6. (close up view)

#7.

*CONTINUED*

Edited March 23, 2012 by surfergirlatx

[surfergirlatx]

CREEK ONE

#8. #9.

#10. #11.

Notice how they are stacked fossil on fossil on fossil......it was amazing to see that many fossils so compacted! Its also a shale type rock, so the preservation of the fossils located there should be good also!

I realize these 4 pics all look similar...I just wanted you to be able to see a portion of the compressed fossil layering.

*CONTINUED*

Edited February 24, 2012 by surfergirlatx

[surfergirlatx]

CREEK ONE

#13. This clam was HUGE. I took the pic standing in the creek looking up.....it was VERY high up there!

#14.

#15. this is my foot in the water...there were so many clam prints it was amazing...the pic didnt convey it well.

*CONTINUED*

[surfergirlatx]

CREEK ONE

#16. #17.

#18. #19.

*CONTINUED*

Edited February 24, 2012 by surfergirlatx

[surfergirlatx]

CREEK ONE

Fossils: Nautiloids and Ammonites

#20. #21. (LOVE this one!!! Three different fossils all next to eachother)

#22. #23.

*CONTINUED*

*NEXT...CREEK TWO*

Edited February 24, 2012 by surfergirlatx

[surfergirlatx]

CREEK TWO

Or what I call "Oyster Bay"

#3. #4.

*CONTINUED*

[Bullsnake]

Sorry to interrupt, but this looks echinoid-ish.

Enjoying your hunt posts. Thanks!

[surfergirlatx]

CREEK TWO

Of course, I get hungry when out hunting...so I had a quick bite to eat - Kidding...but it sure did scare me at first

#5. Ahh lunch

#6. #7.

#8. #9.

*CONTINUED*

[surfergirlatx]

CREEK TWO

I wonder why so many oysters lived here all together.....interesting...

#10. #11.

#12. #13.

*CONTINUED*

[surfergirlatx]

CREEK TWO

#14. #15.

#16. #17. (What I brought home, using a large brick for scale)

*CONTINUED*

Edited February 24, 2012 by surfergirlatx

[surfergirlatx]

CREEK TWO

exogyra ponderosa - I think?

#18. #19.

#20.

#21. #22. back

*CONTINUED*

Edited February 24, 2012 by surfergirlatx

[surfergirlatx]

CREEK TWO

oysters

These below were the only ones like this:

#23. #24.

#25. #26. back

*CONTINUED*

[surfergirlatx]

Misc little finds.....

#27. a piece that fell off that rippled stone from Creek One

#28. #29.

#30. #31 calcite

*CONTINUED*

[surfergirlatx]

Oyster??? Three views

#32.

#33.

#34.

Well....that was my quick trip to two new creeks.....sorry there were no mouth dropping finds (I know they are there and I will find them)....but the oysters were amazingly HUGE!!!

Doctor said I am not supposed to lift anything heavy for a few days....so my goal was to photo the new areas.

Thank you for taking this Austin Chalk hunting trip with me. Hope you were able to see the outcroppings...they were just stacked FULL of fossils....cant wait till I am able to return!!!

Happy Hunting to all!!!

Thanks for looking!

[erose]

Good stuff. You be careful hauling all those Exogyras around. #29 looks like E. tigrina. #19 & 28 would be keepers too.

[masonboro37]

Great finds!

[Auspex]

Thanks for the stroll!

[surfergirlatx]

Good stuff. You be careful hauling all those Exogyras around. #29 looks like E. tigrina. #19 & 28 would be keepers too.

Great finds!

Thanks for the stroll!

Thanks erose, masonboro37 and Auspex for joining me on my hunt!!!

I agree Erose, that clam like that one was the ONLY one I found around the entire area, and yes those Exogyras are rather HEAVY!!!! Also, thank you for the help with the ID on the unusual looking oyster

Happy Hunting!!!!

Edited February 24, 2012 by surfergirlatx

[surfergirlatx]

Sorry to interrupt, but this looks echinoid-ish.

Enjoying your hunt posts. Thanks!

I agree Bullsnake, it does look echinoid-ish.....thanks for seeing it - Sometimes the site is so vast that I often miss the little things! It will be there waiting for me when I return in a few days , then we will know for sure!!! Thanks so much for looking!

Kim

Edited February 24, 2012 by surfergirlatx

[Foshunter]

Creek #1 pix 4 is awsome,that is a very strange formation and yes the one picture looked like there was an echinoid in it, might be worth a re-visit. You are in an area where Indians lived along the creeks so keep an eye out on the gravel bars, never can tell what might be lying there only partially exposed. If you find something you are not sure of, always bring it home can later be discarded if nothing but sometimes hard to find that item you left lying---Tom

[Indy]

Hi Kim

Another wonderful fossil hunt

Great field photos and of course...Lots of fossils.

Have you ever hunted any locality that's not loaded with fossils?

Rippled stone (pics 3 and 4) .... Can't recall seeing anything like that before.

Wondering if anyone has seen these before and can expand on what they represent.

[Missourian]

CREEK ONE

These next 4 photos are of this interesting rippled stone. Pic #1 is me standing next to this rippled stone that went the entire way up the little hill.

#1. #2.

#3. #4. (close up view)

Maybe someone on TFF has seen this type of rock formation before?

That's flowstone, like what you'd see in a cave. Are there any hot springs in the area?

[trilobiteruss]

Awesome, looks like a very productive trip. Thanks for sharing with us!

[Auspex]

That's flowstone, like what you'd see in a cave. Are there any hot springs in the area?

It is a very complicated karstic region; the wonders never cease!