Jump to content

U-Dig Shale


JimB88

Recommended Posts

I know this doesn't count as a trip per se, but I recently ordered some shale from U-Dig (40lbs) and thought Id show what Ive found so far.

Ive just gotten started and have been working through a large piece; however, I'm finding it hard to split as it is. So Ive put the majority outside to weather for a week or two (as they suggest) but I have found some trilo's already!

Elrathia is of coarse the commonest.

heres my biggest so far

post-2953-0-46020700-1415478275_thumb.jpg

this is a smaller one that needs some cleaning

post-2953-0-56423700-1415478388_thumb.jpg

a couple that popped off the matrix (one is very rough)

post-2953-0-28228200-1415478469_thumb.jpg

heres some tiny ones that are round. I don't know if they are young Elrathia or a different genus

post-2953-0-56729400-1415478551_thumb.jpg

post-2953-0-27417500-1415478581_thumb.jpgpost-2953-0-28019900-1415478600_thumb.jpg

I haven't had as much luck with the agnostids however but have found a couple partials and one upside down one

post-2953-0-26802000-1415478689_thumb.jpgpost-2953-0-47053900-1415478705_thumb.jpg

I'll add to this post when the rest is ready to go through.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is so cool!

Like those 'dig your-own fossil' kits, but for grownups :)

"There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant

“Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley

>Paleontology is an evolving science.

>May your wonders never cease!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice finds so far. I just got my box last week but haven't had a lot of time to split it yet.

A fossil hunter needs sharp eyes and a keen search image, a mental template that subconsciously evaluates everything he sees in his search for telltale clues. -Richard E. Leakey

http://prehistoricalberta.lefora.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awesome! :wub:

Thanks for posting your finds to date, Jim.

Looking forward to more cool stuff.

Regards,

    Tim    -  VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER

   MOTM.png.61350469b02f439fd4d5d77c2c69da85.png      PaleoPartner.png.30c01982e09b0cc0b7d9d6a7a21f56c6.png.a600039856933851eeea617ca3f2d15f.png     Postmaster1.jpg.900efa599049929531fa81981f028e24.jpg    VFOTM.png.f1b09c78bf88298b009b0da14ef44cf0.png  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

Hey Jim, looks like some real fun. Am curious, were any of those visible when you first got the material or are you literally splitting/hunting thru the material to find something? Looks real good so far.

Regards, Chris

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey Jim, looks like some real fun. Am curious, were any of those visible when you first got the material or are you literally splitting/hunting thru the material to find something? Looks real good so far.

Regards, Chris

some were visible but most were found by splitting the shale. They make sure at least one is visible when they get a box together; plus they also send one in a plastic baggie with a little card about the specie (I didnt photograph that one.)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

beep, beep, beep.....

Honey, why is there a truck backing up the driveway?

:rolleyes:

It's hard to remember why you drained the swamp when your surrounded by alligators.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

some were visible but most were found by splitting the shale. They make sure at least one is visible when they get a box together; plus they also send one in a plastic baggie with a little card about the specie (I didnt photograph that one.)

Thanks Jim...have fun with em...

Regards, Chris

Link to comment
Share on other sites

How much do they charge? Been awhile since I was last out there.

-Dave

__________________________________________________

Geologists on the whole are inconsistent drivers. When a roadcut presents itself, they tend to lurch and weave. To them, the roadcut is a portal, a fragment of a regional story, a proscenium arch that leads their imaginations into the earth and through the surrounding terrain. - John McPhee

If I'm going to drive safely, I can't do geology. - John McPhee

Check out my Blog for more fossils I've found: http://viewsofthemahantango.blogspot.com/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

beep, beep, beep.....

Honey, why is there a truck backing up the driveway?

:rolleyes:

:rofl: Yup!

Thanks for posting, Jim.. Helps us to know what we might get if we order.

I wonder what are the chances of finding something other than a trilo, like a Selkirkia or phyllocarid or chancelloriid or..... (Not that the bugs aren't cool and worth it on their own)

I guess pretty small for 40lbs

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I wonder what are the chances of finding something other than a trilo, like a Selkirkia or phyllocarid or chancelloriid or..... (Not that the bugs aren't cool and worth it on their own)

I guess pretty small for 40lbs

A friend of mine visited the site and brought me a plate with a couple of bugs in it, and a handout sheet of potential other finds.

It's packed away right now, but I remember a sponge being one of them.

Steve

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A friend of mine visited the site and brought me a plate with a couple of bugs in it, and a handout sheet of potential other finds.

It's packed away right now, but I remember a sponge being one of them.

That will be interesting.. I am familiar with many of the things from there but just wondering what the chances of finding any of them in 40lbs of material, does it say?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That will be interesting.. I am familiar with many of the things from there but just wondering what the chances of finding any of them in 40lbs of material, does it say?

No, I think it is just something they give the visitors to the quarry to watch out for.

Steve

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Very nice specimens! All about trilobites there?

Yes, mostly trilobites, up to 6 different species, I believe. There are occasional other finds like sponges, brachiopods, and phyllocarids.

See this LINK.

For those interested LINK.

Regards,

    Tim    -  VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER

   MOTM.png.61350469b02f439fd4d5d77c2c69da85.png      PaleoPartner.png.30c01982e09b0cc0b7d9d6a7a21f56c6.png.a600039856933851eeea617ca3f2d15f.png     Postmaster1.jpg.900efa599049929531fa81981f028e24.jpg    VFOTM.png.f1b09c78bf88298b009b0da14ef44cf0.png  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

some more stuff

Ive been finding many pieces of the spine-like extensions of the sponge

Choia utahensis

post-2953-0-16105600-1416671640_thumb.jpg

these are usualy broken up or folded in half or otherwise bent. This pic doesnt show it but there are tiny bumps visible (with the loupe.)

Ill take more pics when it gets a little warmer today.

Still haven't found a big complete one yet...this one is a heart-breaker..so close..

post-2953-0-47684100-1416671829_thumb.jpg

this is a typical one missing one of its free cheeks

post-2953-0-56336800-1416671934_thumb.jpg

here's an absolutely tiny one (about 1mm in length.)

post-2953-0-46948700-1416671991_thumb.jpg

more in a bit....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That one must be at least 2mm?? (Pretty good 'micro-photo' in any case!)

probably closer to 2, it was a guesstimate.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...