Mother Nature does some interesting stuff

[Kato]

I never cease to be amazed by the crazy things I find while stumbling around in the great outdoors like this odd remains of a crinoid. Mother Nature keeps me endlessly entertained. The rock has shells, bryozoa and other TBD's.

 

The rock the specimen is in also just really, really light for its size and very porous in appearance. Lots of voids, some with very tiny shells inside.

 

 

 

this seeming spiral gastropod is probably 2mm long and hiding in a void. not the best pic as taken indoors with lighting at night...but I hope you get the idea.

 

 

 

 

[KCMOfossil]

1 hour ago, Kato said:

this odd remains of a crinoid.

I have some crinoids similar to this.  One has a tiny, delicate column up the middle.  I suppose these are a kind of interior and exterior mold combined.

 

Russ

[Fossildude19]

Fossils like the crinoid shown are lumen casts. They are what remains of the interior of the crinoid, when the outer part weathers away. 
These are the cause of conspiracy theorists claiming that ancient screws are found in rocks.  

[Kato]

Out walking around and found this interesting presentation of a crinoid. Part of it is actual columnal bits and others are ichnofossils were the bits used to be. From bottom to top is about 2 feet.

 

 

[Kato]

Zooming in by my glove. You can see where the bits used to be on the left and columnal bits on the right. 

[Kato]

And towards the top you can see where the overlying formation has popped open to reveal more columns.

 

Probably as close as I'll ever get to seeing a nice section of a crinoid here. Ours are usually just bits and pieces.