What a haul! Rare goodies from the St. Leon roadcut, Indiana. (Trilobites!)

[FossilSniper]

About a month ago, I headed out on two fossil trips to the well-known St. Leon roadcut in Indiana. I was hunting in the Liberty formation (late Ordovician) with the sole goal of finding some nice trilobites (which I definitely achieved!). Along with multiple rare trilobites, I was able to find some excellent examples of other fossils. The spoils were totally awesome, and I am itching to go back. I hope you enjoy. 

Best for last.  

[FossilSniper]

I'm sure some of us may recognize this from the ID thread, but these are internal clam molds / concretions. I have never found anything like like these two. Cool!

[FossilSniper]

Here are some gastropods from my hunt. 
I am identifying the gastropod on the bottom-right hand corner, as it is a first for me!

[FossilSniper]

I love this plate!!
It is completely full of various gastropod fossils. This is a rare find for my region.
I have counted 24 individual gastropods here! I especially like the partially crystallized (mostly complete) Hormotoma just above the middle.

[FossilSniper]

These fossils are all various trilobite pygidiums. Some of these are of the genera:
-Flexicalymene (common)
-Tricopeltia (quite rare)  

I haven't yet identified them all, but I look forward to doing so. 
 

[FossilSniper]

Now for the better fossils!
Here are two partial Tricopeltia sp. trilobites. I do not know how I found so many on this trip, as they are rare! These partials would be the dream of any collector in my region.

[FossilSniper]

Although this is roughly 15% percent of an actual Isotelus maximus, I am very proud to present this partial cephalon with an intact eye and hypostoma! It is my largest Isotelus piece. I turned every rock over in the area, but could not find a single new fragment of this fossil. This would be from a large trilobite. I hope I can find the rest next time.  

[FossilSniper]

These straight-shelled cephalopods are only made second by the trilobites I am about to post.

The massive orthocone at the top is in two pieces, and was found in six pieces over a 2m*1m area.
Yes, that entire top row is from one absolute behemoth of a straight-shelled cephalopod.
It is either Cameroceras or Endoceras. It is absolutely huge. I doubt it will be rivaled by any other of my cephalopod finds soon.

I'd also like to note the partially coiled cephalopod 2nd from the left in the middle row. I have never found anything like it. 
 

[Gettin' Jiggy]

Holy smokes!!! What a trip!

 

That's more than enough ammo to make this newbie jealous.

[Tidgy's Dad]

Some nice finds, you really did have a good day. 

[FossilSniper]

Now, for the even more awesome part regarding the huge orthocone.
It has a trilobite on it!! (Partial, at least)


Isn't it just awesome?!? A trilobite hitchhiker!  

[FossilSniper]

1 minute ago, Tidgy's Dad said:

Some nice finds, you really did have a good day. 

 

1 minute ago, Gettin' Jiggy said:

Holy smokes!!! What a trip!

 

That's more than enough ammo to make this newbie jealous.

Not done yet.  

[Tidgy's Dad]

[FossilSniper]

These trilobites are all complete Tricopeltia Briveceps! I had doubts when I first identified these, keeping in mind just how rare they were... but no, they really are Tricopeltia. I had to resort to the ID forum to double-check my ID on these trilobites, so a big thanks to you all who reassured me!

Finding a single one of these is very rare, and finding four of them is just outrageous!! This is not mentioning the two partial Tricopeltia I found, along with several pygidiums. They were clustered in a particular area of the roadcut. The crazy part is- these are my first trilobites, and I am going to explode if I do not return to find even more of these!

This is all thanks to @Uncle Siphuncle, who took the time to PM me extreme amounts of information so that I could find my first trilobite. I cannot thank him enough- my first trilobites were actually museum worthy! None of these amazing finds would have occurred without you. I realize how much of a huge step this is for me and my expanding collection. 

[Tidgy's Dad]

On 6/1/2018 at 8:53 PM, FossilSniper said:

These trilobites are all complete Tricopeltia Briveceps! I had doubts when I first identified these, keeping in mind just how rare they were... but no, they really are Tricopeltia. I had to resort to the ID forum to double-check my ID on these trilobites, so a big thanks to you all who reassured me!

Finding a single one of these is very rare, and finding four of them is just outrageous!! This is not mentioning the two partial Tricopeltia I found, along with several pygidiums. They were clustered in a particular area of the roadcut. The crazy part is- these are my first trilobites, and I am going to explode if I do not return to find even more of these!

This is all thanks to @Uncle Siphuncle, who took the time to PM me extreme amounts of information so that I could find my first trilobite. I cannot thank him enough- my first trilobites are museum worthy! None of these amazing finds would have occurred without you. I realize how much of a huge step this is for me and my expanding collection. 

Indeed, those T. breviceps are phenomenal! 

[Gettin' Jiggy]

Okay, you were right. Best for last. Those are incredible!!

 

He hasn't helped me directly yet, but I've read a lot of what Uncle Siphuncle has posted on Texas and he is a treasure trove of knowledge!

[FossilSniper]

To those concerned that I am an irresponsible kiddo flicking these trilobites around my tabletop, I am not.  
They are very safely mounted on my (new!) lighted glass + mirror fossil display shelf for my whole family to see. 
I hope you all enjoyed viewing them as much as I did finding them!

I have nothing more to post from my two excursions. 
 

[Fossildude19]

Nice report and finds, Sniper.

Thanks for posting these.

Now get back out there and enjoy that beginner's luck.  

[Wrangellian]

Good job! That is a great site... as I keep observing every time someone posts their find from there!

Wish we had something like it closer to home, here.

 

[Miocene_Mason]

Some amazing finds there! Now that I think about it, I have never actually found a complete trilobite, though many partials. The bent orthocone has a name and its on the top of my tongue, I know I have a book with its name in it some where, I’ll look for it tomorrow.

[deutscheben]

Holy cow, what a successful hunt! Those are some great trilobites and cephalopods, I'm in awe. 

[ynot]

Looks like You did real good.

Great trilobites!

Thanks for sharing.

[Uncle Siphuncle]

Well done, young squire.  With the latest photos, I can now see how spectacular these bugs are.

[KimTexan]

On 6/1/2018 at 8:36 PM, FossilSniper said:

Now, for the even more awesome part regarding the huge orthocone.
It has a trilobite on it!! (Partial, at least)


Isn't it just awesome?!? A trilobite hitchhiker!  

That is very cool!

Love the trip report. Thanks for sharing.

I have never found trilobites. So those are awesome first finds. Congratulations. 

[Monica]

Congratulations on the wonderful finds!!!!!  I, too, love that Hormotoma, as well as everything else!  Well done!