Caleb Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 On Sunday, October 14th, I joined in on a field trip to the Devonian of Eastern Iowa. As usual, trilobites were my goal, but I do enjoy finding other surprises. The forecast started out great earlier in the week, and by Friday it looked like it was going to be a rather pleasant day with a slight chance of rain in the morning. However that changed drastically on Saturday. They were forecasting 1-2inches of rain, possibility of severe thunderstorms, and 20-30mph winds. A little rain wasn't going to scare me off, so I was at the gates of the quarry shortly after 8am. The rain broke for a short while during check-in and for the drive into the quarry but resumed with a vengeance. The goal of this trip was to find trilobites, specifically Proetids and Greenops, but Eldredgeops are always welcome to take a ride back to Wisconsin. Fish material, nautaloids, and echinoderms are always a possibility as well and are also more than welcome in my collection. Once we got into the quarry, I spotted a bunch of promising material from the car. I geared up and made a beeline to one of the large slabs I saw and to my surprise and delight were 2 Eldredgeops. I didn't want to waste any time breaking them out as I found them, so I marked them with red duct tape and continued my search. While walking to assist another collector, I spotted my best to date Proetid lying on a piece of shale between some boulders. This made the trip a great one. Toward the end of the day I was walking the bedding plane of one of the benches and found a little rolled Greenops, this made the trip an exceptional one. Greenops are quite rare in this formation and it's always exciting to find one in any condition. The rain stopped around 1pm and at 4:30 it was time to go home. The tally for the trip was: around 20 Eldredgeops, a Proetid and Greenops, Crinoid calyx, and a couple fish parts that I gave away. I also found some Millerite that I gave to one of my collecting cohorts who like minerals. Little Cedar Formation Middle Devonian Johnson County, Iowa Double Eldredgeops norwoodensis Rolled Eldredgeops norwoodensis and a large horn coral Rolled Greenops sp. Crassiproetus sp. Crinoid calyx Caleb Midwestpaleo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zachj Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 nice trilos man! one day i will find a tooth over 3 inches in good conditon haha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northern Sharks Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 That was quite a haul and you should have some gems once they're prepped. Makes me anxious to get back out hunting -3 weeks is too long a break There's no limit to what you can accomplish when you're supposed to be doing something else Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeymig Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 Man I love the Devonian! Would like to see them again after your prep. The Proetus is your prize for the day I would assume. mikey Many times I've wondered how much there is to know. led zeppelin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caleb Posted October 18, 2012 Author Share Posted October 18, 2012 Thanks guys, even though it was rainy windy and cold it was a great trip! The proetus was certainly the find of the day for me. The rough prep has been done, now just need to hit it with the air abrasive, should be finished early next week. I have to wait because I'm not that great with the equipment yet to do it myself. Caleb Midwestpaleo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missourian Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 Nice pieces all. It is always a thrill to come out with the not-so-common along with the common. Context is critical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squalicorax Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 cant wait on the Crassiproetus! My Flickr Page of My Collection: http://www.flickr.com/photos/79424101@N00/sets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolmt Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 Excellent!!!!!.... you are having a very good year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 Well Done indeed, Caleb! Congratulations, and thanks for posting them. Regards, Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ludwigia Posted October 19, 2012 Share Posted October 19, 2012 Great finds, Caleb! Your eagle-eye is developing. Keep up the good search. Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger http://www.steinkern.de/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishguy Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 I really wanted to go on that trip only get in that quarry once or twice a year. Wife had other plans for me. Looks like you had a good day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trilobiteruss Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 Awesome finds! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caleb Posted November 9, 2012 Author Share Posted November 9, 2012 Here's the Crassiproetus before and after photos and a little blurb about the bug. My father did the prep on this guy. Crassiproetus arietinus Caleb Midwestpaleo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squalicorax Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 It turned out excellent caleb. Good work finding it and good prep by your father. My Flickr Page of My Collection: http://www.flickr.com/photos/79424101@N00/sets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ludwigia Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Well done! Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger http://www.steinkern.de/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caleb Posted November 9, 2012 Author Share Posted November 9, 2012 Thanks, I'm very pleased with how it turned out. Now I just need to make some space for it in my display. Caleb Midwestpaleo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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