Cambrian Trilobite “Bug” Hunt - Georgia

[Nimravis]

While visiting family in Georgia, I decided to take my older brother on a Cambrian Bug Hunt. There is no better place to go than a little exposure in Murray County, Georgia that lies under a bridge and next to the beautiful Conasauga River.

 

The Upper Cambrian (Aphelaspis Zone) trilobites found here include Aphelaspis brachyphasis, and Agnostoids, among others.

 

This is a relatively small exposure and depending on the height of the river, it can make the exposure that much smaller or not accessible at all. I was down her in May on my way back from Sanibel Island and I was not able to collect due to river conditions. The other thing that is small with this site is parking, if cars are parked correctly, you can fit 2, but no more that that. I also collect early and leave as much room as possible for any other collectors.

 

Here are a couple pictures of the collecting area and the steep and often slippery descent.

 

 

 

We were were only able to stay for two hours due to the fact that my brother got injured, but I will touch on that at the end.

 

Here are some of my finds, I also collected matrix to work on later.

 

Aphlelaspis brachyphasis 

 

 

 

Aphelaspis brachyphasis and a Agnostoid portion.

 

 

Besides the mudstone, trilobites are also found in a harder grey shale. Here is a very large portion I found on the ground ( 35 pounds) and I will work on this piece at home. As you can see, there are trilobites found in it and many times they have excellent preservation.

 

 

 

One handy tool to have there is this folding hacksaw, it allows me to trim pieces in the field for easier storage.

 

 

 

As I stated above, my brother had an accident, really a slip and fall. Besides watching how you go up and down to your car, you have to watch the loose matrix. He went to adjust how he was sitting and the loose matrix caused him to slip. It appears he broke or dislocated his left pinky finger and we left so he could go to Urgent Care.

 

Be careful collecting anywhere.

 

[Kane]

These are very well preserved, and among the best I've seen come out of there. Congrats! Condolences to your brother on that nasty fall.  

[Nimravis]

Thanks @Kane , I always find quite a few like that, it truly is an amazing place to collect, some much easier than Mazon Creek and you get instant gratification.

[Tidgy's Dad]

OUCH ! ! ! 

Sorry about your brother, Ralph. 

However, those are cracking specimens, some of the best I've seen from the site.

Congratulations! 

[Fossildude19]

Great finds, Ralph!

Sorry about your brother's finger, though. 

Thanks for posting these up. 

Looks like a great place to collect!

[Walt]

Beautiful bugs! 

Sorry to hear about your brother. 

Does he collect (if so, then he probably is saying, "totally worth it") or did he just go to humor you (in which case he is probably thinking, "never again" among other not-so-nice thoughts)

And excellent tip on the folding hacksaw!  I will have to add that one to my pack.

[Raggedy Man]

Apparently the fossil Gods wanted a sacrifice lol. Great finds! This site is on my list if I get down there before its picked clean.

[Nimravis]

3 minutes ago, Raggedy Man said:

Apparently the fossil Gods wanted a sacrifice lol. Great finds! This site is on my list if I get down there before its picked clean.

I think that you have time, I do not see it coming to an end any time soon.

[Nimravis]

21 minutes ago, Walt said:

Does he collect

Walt, he likes fossils, but has only been out a couple times. The good thing is that he recently moved to Georgia, so he now knows of the location in case he wants to go and break another finger- lol. I only get there when I come down fro the Chicagoland area.

[Nimravis]

25 minutes ago, Fossildude19 said:

Looks like a great place to collect!

It really is, you should go there sometime.

[Walt]

15 minutes ago, Nimravis said:

Walt, he likes fossils, but has only been out a couple times. The good thing is that he recently moved to Georgia, so he now knows of the location in case he wants to go and break another finger- lol. I only get there when I come down fro the Chicagoland area.

Well I envy you.  I was the only boy in the family and it must be nice to have a brother to do things like that with.  

Now tell him to get on the Forum so we can see some of this good natured brother vs. brother competition 

[Nimravis]

8 minutes ago, Walt said:

Well I envy you.  I was the only boy in the family and it must be nice to have a brother to do things like that with.  

Walt, lol and the above comment. Before he moved to Georgia he lived about 5 miles from me and I saw him on average 3 times a year, now that he moved to Georgia and he is about 1 hour from my sisters house, I see him more. 

[Paciphacops]

Ouch! A blood sacrifice is normally all that is required. 

 

I need to get down there as well. I'm only 3 hours away. How hard would it be to drag a kayak down to the river? Are there any other access points nearby? I have looked online for river info, but I have not found much. My better half would really enjoy the kayaking more than trilobites, even though she does seem to make the better finds. 

 

Nice bugs!

[Nimravis]

9 minutes ago, Paciphacops said:

How hard would it be to drag a kayak down to the river?

I would not bring one, it is not necessary.

[Fossildude19]

1 hour ago, Nimravis said:

It really is, you should go there sometime.

Being a 16 hour drive, it probably won't happen this year. Maybe next year, though.  

[goatinformationist]

One of my favorite places to collect bugs in Georgia.   A couple others are near by.  My son and I went in the Spring and came back with about a hundred nice specimens (so tiny) and some fabulous large mudstone chunks to water bowl and split in the Winter with warm adult beverages.  I know it sounds like a lot but we were there for three hours and make generous with finds at gamineral.org.

[ynot]

Looks like some nice trilos Ralph.

Really fond of the double in second close up.

[KimTexan]

Those are some nice good size bugs Ralph. Very cool.

I get the brother living nearby, but not seeing him. Mine lives less than an hour away, but I’m lucky to see him twice a year. He’s always too busy.

My younger brother lives 5 hours away, but I see him more and spend a lot more time with him.

 

Ouch on the pinky. I use to play volleyball a lot. I broke my left pinky badly playing volleyball. It healed, but is maybe 5 mm longer or so than my other one.

 

The pics of the bugs and the creek are really nice.

 

Ralph, about kayaking, it isn’t that its is needed for the hunt. It’s for the enjoyment of the trip down the river. Also for him it may be about making his wife happy or something to entice her along on the trip. Also, you can access places others can’t and get first dibs on stuff. You really must try it sometime. It is usually so peaceful, beautiful and enjoyable. I really enjoy kayaking. I’ve only been on 2 river trips this year so far though. Summer hits and water levels drop.

I don’t think I ever posted my kayak fossil hunting trip, or did I. I can’t remember.

 

Thanks for sharing.

[caldigger]

34 minutes ago, KimTexan said:

I don’t think I ever posted my kayak fossil hunting trip, or did I. I can’t remember.

It doesn't involve a bunch of backwoods hillbillies and banjo music does it? 

[Nimravis]

2 hours ago, ynot said:

Looks like some nice trilos Ralph.

Really fond of the double in second close up.

Thanks Tony, multiples are not uncommon at this location.

[Nimravis]

50 minutes ago, KimTexan said:

about kayaking, it isn’t that its is needed for the hunt. It’s for the enjoyment of the trip down the river. Also for him it may be about making his wife happy or something to entice her along on the trip. Also, you can access places others can’t and get first dibs on stuff. You really must try it sometime. It is usually so peaceful, beautiful and enjoyable. I really enjoy kayaking. I’ve only been on 2 river trips this year so far though. Summer hits and water levels drop.

I don’t think I ever posted my kayak fossil hunting trip, or did I. I can’t remember.

Kim, I will also tag @Paciphacops on this. I was not thinking of itvthat way, sorry. Now to answer it more fully. I do not have any idea on access points on the river. I know that you could carry a kayak or let it slide down the hill at the aces point that I park at. The times that I have been there I have only seen one Bass boat go by, nothing else, and I do not think that there are any more similar exposures around, I believe this one was found when building the bridge.

 

As far as your kayak trips, I don’t recall seeing a post from you.

[Monica]

Terrific trilos, Ralph - I never tire of looking at them! 

[Seaforth]

These are some nice trilo's Ralph.

Still cherish the ones you sent me.

 

As for broken pinky fingers...my wife recently broke her little finger while playing with the kids few weeks ago

Heals well when put in a splint.

 

 

 

[Nimravis]

2 hours ago, Seaforth said:

These are some nice trilo's Ralph.

Still cherish the ones you sent me.

 

As for broken pinky fingers...my wife recently broke her little finger while playing with the kids few weeks ago

Heals well when put in a splint.

 

 

 

I’m glad you liked those Pat. Here is an x-ray of my brothers finger. He is seeing the Orthopedic doctor this afternoon, his finger is dislocated and fractured.

 

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

9 hours ago, Nimravis said:

I’m glad you liked those Pat. Here is an x-ray of my brothers finger. He is seeing the Orthopedic doctor this afternoon, his finger is dislocated and fractured.

 

 

Ow.