Middle Devonian Spring In Central Upstate New York

[Jeffrey P]

It was a long harsh winter in Upstate New York. So when spring finally arrived, it was reason to celebrate. I took five day trips up there n April and May to collect from Middle Devonian sites. One was with the Mid-Hudson Gem and Mineral Society and my girlfriend, Valerie. The rest were solo ventures. It is a long three and a half hour trip from the Hudson Valley, but incredibally scenic through forested hills and gorgeous farm country. Time to crank up the tunes on the old Ipod. Three of the sites are near Hamilton. One is near Morrisville and one is near North Brookfield. All are in Madison County. Four different formations were collected from; the Skaneateles, the Moscow, the Upper Ludlowville, and the Oatkacreek Formation which is a member of the Marcellus Shale. All are part of the Hamilton Group. Biodiversity of the fossil assemblage is one of the chief attractions, as well as the remarkable preservation. Though each site had species in common with other sites, abundance of particular species would vary considerably.

Here is a sample of what was found. These are partial Phacops rana trilobites including thorax/pygidiums and cephalons:

Here is a cephalon of Dipleura dekayi, a large burrowing trilobite over three inches across:

These are Greenops trilobites:

These are Bembexia sulcomarginata, a gastropod:

These are Retispira leta, a Bellerophron gastropod:

This is a Spyroceras, a straight-shelled nautiloid:

These are Grammysia arculata, a bivalve:

These are Grammysia bisculata, another bivalve:

[Jeffrey P]

Other samples from the collection:

This is Orthonata undulata, a razor clam:

This is Pseudoaviculopecten scabridus, a bivalve:

This Mucrospirifer mucronatus, a brachiopod:

This is Devonochoenetes coronatus, another brachiopod:

These are Spinocyrtia granulosa, a brachiopod:

This is Hyolithes sp.:

[erose]

Some decent specimens or sure. I miss the NY Devonian.

[mikeymig]

New York is the Devonian State! Could you take some better pics of the Greenops and post them to this thread? I would like to see the larger specimen in more detail.

Thanks

Mikey

[Fallingfossils]

Jeff, great report and finds!

The variety is just awesome. I especially love the detail and look of that razor clam.

Best of luck collecting

Greg

[Shamalama]

Great finds, The NY Devonian is my new favorite collecting region. Just need to find a job up that way so I can spend EVERY weekend looking for fossils!

[Fossildude19]

Jeff,

Great report, and finds!

I need to come visit you and collect with you this summer.

Thanks for the fantastic report.

Regards,

[Jeffrey P]

New York is the Devonian State! Could you take some better pics of the Greenops and post them to this thread? I would like to see the larger specimen in more detail.

Thanks

Mikey

Yes, I agree, when it comes to fossils, New York is definately the Devonian State. Here are some more photos of the Greenops trilos:

[Auspex]

I've always liked Devonian stuff, but I think that razor clam is too cool for words

[Jeffrey P]

I've always liked Devonian stuff, but I think that razor clam is too cool for words

I split a hunk of shale and saw the Orthonata imprint on one side. I immediately searched for the other side and then spotted the fossil lying loose on the ground. This is the only specimen I've found so far with both valves closed. More common is both valves open lying side by side, but those are rarely complete. I agree, quite the specimen! Thanks.

[erose]

I split a hunk of shale and saw the Orthonata imprint on one side. I immediately searched for the other side and then spotted the fossil lying loose on the ground. This is the only specimen I've found so far with both valves closed. More common is both valves open lying side by side, but those are rarely complete. I agree, quite the specimen! Thanks.

I agree, that is THE best specimen in the lot.

[Shamalama]

I split a hunk of shale and saw the Orthonata imprint on one side. I immediately searched for the other side and then spotted the fossil lying loose on the ground. This is the only specimen I've found so far with both valves closed. More common is both valves open lying side by side, but those are rarely complete. I agree, quite the specimen! Thanks.

Very hard to get those in my experience too, despite their relative common nature. Nicely done.

[kwilson]

Great suite of Devonian fossils!