A Day Trip Back In Time

[Bullsnake]

A few weeks ago, I took a 2 hour day trip from my usual Pennsylvanian stomping grounds to some Mississippian turf.

Having made a brief stop here about a year ago after visiting some friends, and seeing how crinoid heavy it is, I'd been wanting to return to see if I could find any crowns. As you'll see from the pics, it appears to have been a turbulent time way back when, so I didn't find what I was seeking. But, it was a good hunt; found a couple of firsts, some unknowns, and I believe it warrants a return for possible better specimens.

First, a (sort of) panoramic view:

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[Bullsnake]

As implied above, the cut is literally made of crinoids:

Picked up some bits just for kicks!

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[Bullsnake]

Also found some cool, and varied fenestrate-type bryozoans:

Less abundant, and more worn and fragmented, were some brachiopods:

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[Bullsnake]

This was a first for me. A blastoid impression!

After closer examination of the rocks I brought home, I found that I have at least a couple more!

This one is on the same rock as the big brachiopod pictured above:

A little trilobite pygidium:

Also prevelant, various colors of chert:

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[Bullsnake]

Now on to the unknowns:

I found this interesting feature. Coral?

A closeup of a sample that was loose next to it. I would not have wanted to break the in situ piece since it was kind of cool looking!

I'm sure this is an urchin plate:

But this, I don't know:

In different lighting:

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[Bullsnake]

I have no clue about this:

This I'm leaning toward brachiopod, but really don't know;

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[Bullsnake]

Again, no clue on this one either:

On this, I initially thought it was a bryozoan when I found it, but I'm kind of thinking mollusc:

I apologize for id questions in the wrong forum, but I thought the whole story might give better perspective.

Thanks for looking!

Steve

[Missourian]

Nice diverse haul.

That Mississippian stuff is a whole 'nother ball game from what we're used to.

[Bullsnake]

Nice diverse haul.

That Mississippian stuff is a whole 'nother ball game from what we're used to.

That's for sure. I'm finding so much interesting little stuff as I go over the rocks with the loupe, and I brought home a large butter tub of soil to look for micros.

Almost forgot, I had company there, too!

[Missourian]

Almost forgot, I had company there, too!

You find all the cool stuff....

[howard_l]

The plate looking specimen #26 unknow are crinoid clayx plates, from a crinoid that fell apart. The next one #27, I was thinking a inarticulate brach, but I am not sure about it.

[Bullsnake]

Thank you howard_l. I should have done a better job organizing the post. It was late and I've been too anxious to get them up.

I wondered if that plate was crinoid or not, so now I know!

Thanks for the reply!

[PaleoRon]

Pretty scorps!

[masonboro37]

Hi Steve, I enjoyed reading about your trip and all your pics. Thank you for sharing this! I have yet to find anything crinoid related so I am thrilled to see your finds. Your bryozoa is really nice!

Libby

[Bullsnake]

Pretty scorps!

Thanks PaleoRon! I am fascinated with arachnids.

Hi Steve, I enjoyed reading about your trip and all your pics. Thank you for sharing this! I have yet to find anything crinoid related so I am thrilled to see your finds. Your bryozoa is really nice!

Libby

Thank you Libby! I guess living in this area all my life, I just kind of take crinoids for granted. I wouldn't know how to act if I couldn't find any.

[Ramo]

Looks like you did good. I really like the little ornate plate and blastoid impression. A blastoid is something I've never found, but I''m getting a little obsessed to find one. One of these days I'm going to make it out your way.

Ramo

[Bullsnake]

Looks like you did good. I really like the little ornate plate and blastoid impression. A blastoid is something I've never found, but I''m getting a little obsessed to find one. One of these days I'm going to make it out your way.

Ramo

Well, I haven't found any blastoids here, but if you want to go check this place out sometime I'd be up for it. If there are impressions, I think there should be some whole ones.

[masonboro37]

Thanks PaleoRon! I am fascinated with arachnids.

Thank you Libby! I guess living in this area all my life, I just kind of take crinoids for granted. I wouldn't know how to act if I couldn't find any.

Luck is always on your side! I am the same way when it comes to echi's. I keep my eyes peeled on road trips for embankments.

[mommabetts]

WOW, a nice haul of different fossils, a big variety. Thank you for sharing you adventure with us.

[Lloyd]

A nice diverse collection of fossils. Enjoyed the Scorpions also... personally, I stay away from them but my son used to have some as "pets." Thanks for the site pictures, always nice to see what the places people collect look like.

[Fossildude19]

Great report, Steve!

Glad to see you're getting out and finding some cool things!

Regards,