Shellseeker Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 The Ocala Limestone Formation is a relatively pure carbonate (90% to 95%) limestone that was deposited in a shallow, marine environment. The thickness of the unit in Florida’s central peninsula is typically less than 90 feet. The age of the Ocala Limestone is late Eocene or about 35 million years old. This geologic age is based on correlation using macro-invertebrates and microfossils with well-dated rocks of the middle and western Gulf Coastal Plain. In the Haile Quarries, exposed in section, is a portion of the upper Ocala Limestone, formerly named the Crystal River Formation. I joined a field trip from 9am to 2pm Saturday into this Eocene era Haile Quarry. @MikeR also represented TFF. I had been to Haile Quarry previously in October, 2015. Some sights from the quarry on this 2018 trip. The Quarry is a BIG hole, high walls, lakes in the bottom, with piles of gravel, sand, clay, and limestone scattered around. Just walk around doing surface hunting. It is just too brutally hot to dig or climb. I walked this path next to the water, thinking that the extra moisture and muddy areas might expose some fossils. It was pretty clear that I had competition. But I figured he/she would only get the small echinoids. The best chances are for Echinoids, seashells, crabs, coral, and maybe sponges. There are also a lot of shell endocasts. This was a little strange. I was not finding a lot of fossils, but almost immediately after taking this photo of the butterfly, I spotted this Shark tooth fragment with colors out of sync with its surroundings. @Harry Pristishas made an excellent case for an Eocene era extinct Mackerel Shark. http://www.thefossilforum.com/index.php?/topic/84574-florida-eocene-shark/&tab=comments#comment-906155 I could not be more pleased than to have found a Florida Eocene shark tooth. Then a number of other finds, shells Endocasts, Something that looks like a sponge, Echinoids, It is likely that the 1st is Eupatagus antillarum and the second may be Oligipygus phelani. I really enjoy these field trips with good people and the real possibility of a surprise (like a Mackerel Shark tooth) while looking for Echinoids. 3 The White Queen ".... in her youth she could believe "six impossible things before breakfast" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tidgy's Dad Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 Glad you had such an enjoyable and productive time! Couple of nice bryozoans too! Life's Good! Tortoise Friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peace river rat Posted May 15, 2018 Share Posted May 15, 2018 Looks very interesting Jack, glad you had that opportunity. I am an Ocala fossil, I was born and raised there I remember a friend of my Father, lived next to an old quarry. It was filled with a beautiful blue green water and high cliffs, I bet the water was VERY deep. Who knows what treasures it holds, to this day? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darktooth Posted May 15, 2018 Share Posted May 15, 2018 Nice finds Jack! I like Trilo-butts and I cannot lie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miocene_Mason Posted May 15, 2018 Share Posted May 15, 2018 Nice! Love the shark tooth! “...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...
Monica Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Love the inverts!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeargleSchmeargl Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Reminds me of stuff I've seen from the Tivola. Trying to arrange a trip to a CEMEX quarry to hunt that kind of stuff. Really looking forward to it! Also looks like you had a good trip! Every single fossil you see is a miracle set in stone, and should be treated as such. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digit Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 I enjoyed my trip to Haile a few years back. Looks like you all had a great time. The Eocene shark tooth looks to have been the trip-maker. Cheers. -Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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