Fossil-Hound Posted September 15, 2017 Share Posted September 15, 2017 Well I haven't had much time to go fossil hunting since we made an offer on our home. We are moving in on Saturday. I'm so excited. Two weeks ago my wife allowed me to take an excursion for fish fossils in Wyoming with her cousin Luke. Little did the twelve year old boy know what he was getting into. This would be his first fossil hunting experience but he also experienced the following: first off roading experience, first taste of beef jerky, first time to Wyoming, and first time to a Sonic drive through. Being in the middle of Wyoming I diligently followed Google Maps which led us off roading. I have done some crazy stuff in my lifetime (i.e. sky diving) and have been really worried. This was one of those times. The off roading experience started us off on a dirt road with deep tracks from tires with chains for getting through snow. At one point I had to keep my left wheel in the middle of the road and my right wheel was off road with the right side of the vehicle slamming into rocks and sage brush. Thankfully we made it out. The quarry was amazing. Here are a bunch of pictures going back to our trip to my parents cabin in Island Park near Yellowstone and the new home. Heading out for date night at a nearby ski resort in Utah. Here we are at the Sundance ski resort for an outdoor play. My wife insisted we take a selfie. You can tell that I'm not a big fan of selfies. This is Bear World located in Rexburg, Idaho. We stopped here on our way up to Island Park. Bear World is a zoo for wild animals native to North America. Cute little fawn. American Bison. This Black Bear decided he didn't want to move so we had to wait for a few minutes. Big Grizzly Bear waking up after an afternoon nap. This is my brother Spencer holding my daughter Clara. He has a little son and I can tell he really wants a daughter. The Caldera pots of Yellowstone. The sulfuric smell was horrible but the sight was interesting and pleasantly warm. This may look like an inviting hot tub but is dangerously hot. Having our picture taken near the falls. Old Faithful My dad and I went to his secret spot near the cabin for some fishing on Saturday morning. I ended up catching thirty rainbow trout but only kept three. My father caught a bunch but only kept a few. We had enough fish to feed our families for lunch (keep in mind not everybody had trout as there were hamburgers). Clara loves the great outdoors. My mother really enjoyed spending time with her only granddaughter. My four young nephews really adored her as well. I had to share this one. A few weeks ago I came home to see my young daughter smiling up at me. That made up for the long day I had at work. This is where I decided it was time to turn the Subaru back. That hill was rather steep with loose gravel and even with X-mode and Incline mode set I couldn't make it up and the other side of the hill didn't look promising. Almost ran down into this deep crevice. It's a good thing I was going really slow. As you can see there are no roads up here. Luke is being a good sport, but he was a bit nervous about the whole ordeal as was I. Thankfully we made it out. We ended taking another dirt road and coming to this sign. Definitely turning back this time. Bad road! This was the "bad road." Doesn't look to rough but over the bend it could "evolve" into something nasty. Despite the rough start Luke is still looking forward to getting at those fossil fish. Almost there! That sign notes that off roading is illegal. I'll keep that in mind for next time as I was unaware. I notified Luke that he couldn't keep anything over 100k. And we are here! Within the hour discovered this massive Mioplosus that shattered upon extraction. I had no clue it was in the limestone. The stuff is so brittle it just popped right out in pieces. I left it out in the open for the brave preparer who would try his hand at this heart breaker. I keep forgetting to take pictures of fossil extractions on site. Managed to snap this photo while heading out. The car definitely needs a good washing inside and out. The serenity of Wyoming. A heard of Antelope running up the gorge. Here is Luke's amused face. The preservation on this Knightia oceana pair isn't great but what's interesting is that they are inverted against each other. Another pair. The bottom fish is well preserved. Close up. Another K. oceana. This is a K. oceana but looks like a miniature Piranha. Excellent preservation. Another K. oceana. A K. oceana and what I believe is a Diplomystus bottom right that needs some preparation. This will be the location for a new fossil preparation bench. The space looks small on camera but is surprisingly large at 7ft wide by 3 ft deep. Lots of fossil fish. More fish. One of the plates had seven K. oceana but I had to cut that one down (too big). I'm not sure what species the fish is bottom right but it's about the size of a dinner plate. Here is a decent Mipolosus that should prep out well. @Ptychodus04 this is the specimen I told you about. What would you recommend for this fish in terms of exposing it. Any other feedback from TFF members is welcome. The big plate sized fish. K. oceana K. oceana A plate of K. oceana. This is a beautiful Priscacara. @sseth father helped me to extract it and he said that this was one of four found that day. Unfortunately it was already split from the first hammer hit but I do have the other half. @Ptychodus04 recently you worked on a GRF fish that needed to be glued back together. Mind if I send you this project? I'll pay you or add some new features to the website. I'm a bit worried about messing this one up. The spikes look really neat and I do have the complete half that goes with it. Should turn out to be a rather neat looking fossil. This Diplomystus was a trip maker. It's not that large but has fine detail. I applied an air scribe from the rock quarry to the back portion as the tail was covered in limestone sediment. This one is currently on display at my office at work. All of my coworkers are green with envy. Measuring out the work bench. Picked up a large shelf for storing fossils on in the garage. Here is the backyard. The neighborhood is built against a mountain so the backyard is a hill with terraces. I'll plant a garden and trees on the terraces. I can't wait to move in this Saturday. View of Utah Lake from the backyard. Right next to the lake is the city of Lehi. These sunflowers grow well in the desert region of Utah and require very little water. @SailingAlongToo here are some pictures for you. I ordered these fine paintings from the Annapolis Marine Art Gallery in Annapolis. They weren't cheap but should look really nice. This painting is the HMS Surprise the British frigate featured in Master and Commander. This is Beyond the Mark and one of the most famous paintings by Willard Bond. The painting depicts the abstractness of a regatta race. Mr. Bond frequented Maryland to witness these ships racing each other. He is considered to be one of the greatest ship painters of our modern day. This is one of my favorites and depicts a sail boat returning home from a day in the bay. In the background is the Chesapeake Bay Bridge linking the western shore to the eastern shore. At one point in time the bay bridge was the largest man made bridge in the USA. To this day it's one of the older bridges in the country and was built in 1952. I have fond memories of this area from my Calvert Cliff days. I also spent countless weekends in Annapolis. If you ever get a chance to visit the east coast the Chesapeake Bay is a must see. Neat picture of Lone Peak mountain right outside my wife's parents home. It was overcast that day and the clouds sat right on top of the mountain. Close up of the Mioplosus. Another shot of the backyard from the top. I'm in love. Do or do not. There is no try. - Yoda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paxhunter Posted September 15, 2017 Share Posted September 15, 2017 Oh the skier in me is so jealous 2 of my favorite spots on the planet are Alta and Park City!!! Glad ur still lookin for fossils even though you have moved away from the bay!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macrophyseter Posted September 15, 2017 Share Posted September 15, 2017 You are making me . You live right near the Green River Formation itself and I still can't even decide if Lunada Bay could have decent fossils. If you're a fossil nut from Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Redondo Beach, or Torrance, feel free to shoot me a PM! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossil-Hound Posted September 15, 2017 Author Share Posted September 15, 2017 4 minutes ago, Macrophyseter said: You are making me . You live right near the Green River Formation itself and I still can't even decide if Lunada Bay could have decent fossils. I'm sorry to hear that @Macrophyseter If you ever make it out to the western side of the USA please PM me and I'll go out fossiling with you. Do or do not. There is no try. - Yoda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macrophyseter Posted September 15, 2017 Share Posted September 15, 2017 Just now, Fossil-Hound said: If you ever make it out to the western side of the USA Hey, I live in California, is that not the western side of the USA? ps i still cant legally drive yet so dont expect me to go out to shark tooth hill or anything like that. If I have to find fossils, I have to go local. If you're a fossil nut from Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Redondo Beach, or Torrance, feel free to shoot me a PM! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossil-Hound Posted September 15, 2017 Author Share Posted September 15, 2017 10 minutes ago, paxhunter said: Oh the skier in me is so jealous 2 of my favorite spots on the planet are Alta and Park City!!! Glad ur still lookin for fossils even though you have moved away from the bay!!! I skied Park City two winters ago. The slopes are phenomenal for skiing. Alta is also very good from what I've heard but I've never been there. I really miss the bay and am going to have to come out there this coming Spring for some more Megs, Chesapecten, and Ecphora. Do or do not. There is no try. - Yoda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paxhunter Posted September 15, 2017 Share Posted September 15, 2017 Just now, Fossil-Hound said: I skied Park City two winters ago. The slopes are phenomenal for skiing. Alta is also very good from what I've heard but I've never been there. I really miss the bay and am going to have to come out there this coming Spring for some Megs, Chesapecten, and Ecphora. Come on we will hit plum point and willows!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossil-Hound Posted September 15, 2017 Author Share Posted September 15, 2017 2 minutes ago, Macrophyseter said: Hey, I live in California, is that not the western side of the USA? Reveal hidden contents ps i still cant legally drive yet so dont expect me to go out to shark tooth hill or anything like that. If I have to find fossils, I have to go local. Let's go to Ernst Quarry! Do or do not. There is no try. - Yoda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macrophyseter Posted September 15, 2017 Share Posted September 15, 2017 2 minutes ago, Fossil-Hound said: Ha! I had no clue! I've never been to Ernst Quarry and there are shark teeth there. If you want to go sometime let me know! I'm game! That will be my winter getaway. I my parents will ever let a minor go far away with a "stranger"... and thats 3 hours away from here. Sad times... If you're a fossil nut from Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Redondo Beach, or Torrance, feel free to shoot me a PM! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossil-Hound Posted September 15, 2017 Author Share Posted September 15, 2017 2 minutes ago, paxhunter said: Come on we will hit plum point and willows!!!! The Willows is infamously good. Windmill Point is another site I need to hit up with @gavialboy We should get all the Calvert Cliff and MD/VA hunters together for a big shark tooth hunt. I might be able to make it out there next April. Do or do not. There is no try. - Yoda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macrophyseter Posted September 15, 2017 Share Posted September 15, 2017 Just now, Fossil-Hound said: Then I'll just have to kidnap you. If you're a fossil nut from Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Redondo Beach, or Torrance, feel free to shoot me a PM! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miocene_Mason Posted September 15, 2017 Share Posted September 15, 2017 9 minutes ago, Fossil-Hound said: The Willows is infamously good. Windmill Point is another site I need to hit up with @gavialboy We should get all the Calvert Cliff and MD/VA hunters together for a big shark tooth hunt. I might be able to make it out there next April. I've never even heard of these two sites! I really need to do more research.... “...whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been and are being evolved.” ~ Charles Darwin Happy hunting, Mason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fossilcrazy Posted September 15, 2017 Share Posted September 15, 2017 Quite a pictorial story of your adventures. Feels like I was there with you. Beautiful family too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ptychodus04 Posted September 15, 2017 Share Posted September 15, 2017 @Fossil-Hound those are some great pics and a great report. That's one cute baby you have. The Mioplosus looks very promising. If you want to prep it yourself, I would stick to the needle method. It will take about 30 hours but will be worth it. Otherwise, send it to me and I'll give it the treatment with the Micro Jack! As for the beheaded Priscacara, I can sew it back on! The Mioplosus I did for @abctriplets was split right down the middle. If both pieces are in good shape, it will glue back together just fine. Send me a PM and we can work out the details. I'm a little concerned that your cousin hadn't experienced jerky, sonic, or off roading and he's 12. Cheers to you for expanding his event horizon! Regards, Kris Global Paleo Services, LLC https://globalpaleoservices.com http://instagram.com/globalpaleoservices http://instagram.com/kris.howe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monica Posted September 15, 2017 Share Posted September 15, 2017 Beautiful set of pictures - thanks for sharing! PS - My favourite is the one of your daughter smiling up at you - too cute!!! Monica Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kane Posted September 15, 2017 Share Posted September 15, 2017 Excellent report! Fantastic fish, too! Thanks for taking us on this odyssey of family and fossils. ...How to Philosophize with a Hammer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynot Posted September 15, 2017 Share Posted September 15, 2017 Ditto to what the others said. Except for Ptychodus04 because I do not prep and what Macrophyseter said because I can drive. Darwin said: " Man sprang from monkeys." Will Rogers said: " Some of them didn't spring far enough." My Fossil collection - My Mineral collection My favorite thread on TFF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pagurus Posted September 15, 2017 Share Posted September 15, 2017 What a fun/worrisome journey you had! It sure was a success. Congratulations and thanks for sharing your adventures here on TFF. Your new home looks awesome and your family too. You're a lucky guy. Start the day with a smile and get it over with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJB Posted September 15, 2017 Share Posted September 15, 2017 No one can say you dont post enough pictures! Looks like a fun trip. That plate sized fish im sure is Phareodus. That painting of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge is outstanding! Love the lighting on that one. and good luck with your fish. RB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sseth Posted September 15, 2017 Share Posted September 15, 2017 What an adventure. Sorry I missed you up at the quarry. Looks like you found some treasures. _____________________________________ Seth www.fossilshack.com www.americanfossil.com www.fishdig.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aerogrower Posted September 15, 2017 Share Posted September 15, 2017 What an great report. Looks like you were both very successful in the hunt. One of these days..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FossilDudeCO Posted September 15, 2017 Share Posted September 15, 2017 Sorry I couldn't join either! By the way your big round fish is a phareodus! Nice finds! Glad you had a great time! Can't wait to see you up there soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FossilDAWG Posted September 15, 2017 Share Posted September 15, 2017 Great trip report! Your daughter is a real cutie! You've moved a trip to @sseth's quarry up several notches on my bucket list. BTW your fish are Knightia eocaena Jordan 1907. There is no such a species as K. oceana. Don C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossil-Hound Posted September 15, 2017 Author Share Posted September 15, 2017 10 minutes ago, FossilDAWG said: Great trip report! Your daughter is a real cutie! You've moved a trip to @sseth's quarry up several notches on my bucket list. BTW your fish are Knightia eocaena Jordan 1907. There is no such a species as K. oceana. Don C Thanks for the clarification Don. Yeah it's a really fun place. I definitely walked away with more than I was expecting to find. Do or do not. There is no try. - Yoda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolmt Posted September 15, 2017 Share Posted September 15, 2017 Great pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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