ziggycardon Posted March 16, 2019 Share Posted March 16, 2019 Hi everyone I think I just found a new hobby With my latest fossil delivery I recieved quite a lot of microfossils & matrix vials as the world of microfossils was something that I have been long interested in. So a 2 weeks ago I finally ordered my first microfossils for which I reserved a special drawer in my archive cabinet. So here is a recapp of what I all got: 3 vials of permian material from Waurika, Oklahoma 1 vial of permian material from The red beds of Archer County, Texas 1 small vial of Conodont rich Mississippian material from the Chappel Limestone formation, Texas 1 small vial of Cretaceous Lower Gault Clay, East Wear bay, Folkestone, Kent, UK A micropalaeontology slide with Jurassic Blue Lias matrix rich in holothurian material. A thin section of an Ostracods filled Elimia snail from the Green River Formation in Wyoming A thin section from the Rhynie chert of Scotland which should contain preserved parts of the plant Aglaophyton major and perhaps even other species. I also got a lot of Bull Canyon micro fossil teeth and 2 cretaceous mammal teeth from Hell Creek In this topic you will be able to follow my path through this newly discovered hobby as I will post my finds and progress Currently I am only working with a clip-on cellphone microscope, but I do plan on getting a professional microscope in the next few months! (Tips are always welcome) So let's put on our Ant-Man suit and explore the microfossil realm So here are some of the first pictures I made of some of the microfossils Starting with the thin slices! Thin slice with Ostracon filled Elimia tenara snail from the Green River Formation, Wyoming Thin slice with Aglaophyton major from Rhynie Chert in Scotland 3 Interested in all things paleontology, geology, zoology, evolution, natural history and science! Professional exotic pet keeper, huge fantasy geek, explorer of the microfossil realm, member of the BVP (Belgian Association for Paleontology), Volunteer prepper at Oertijdmuseum Boxtel. View my collection topic here: The Growing Collection of Ziggycardon My animal collection at the "Members pet" topic Ziggycardon's exploration of the microfossil realm Trips to Eben Emael (Maastrichtian of Belgium) My latest fossil hunt Next project will be a dedicated prepping space. "A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge." - Tyrion Lannister Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pagurus Posted March 16, 2019 Share Posted March 16, 2019 Happy hunting! That gastropod filled with ostracods is fantastic. Start the day with a smile and get it over with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manticocerasman Posted March 16, 2019 Share Posted March 16, 2019 @ziggycardon If you like small fossils, I stil have a few kilograms of gravel composed mostly out of crinoid stems from the tournaisian of Soignies. It is fun to sort out all the different crinoid species in this. I can keep some of it appart for you if you like. do you go to the fossil fair in Gent tomorrow? cheers, Kevin growing old is mandatory but growing up is optional. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziggycardon Posted March 16, 2019 Author Share Posted March 16, 2019 1 hour ago, Manticocerasman said: @ziggycardon If you like small fossils, I stil have a few kilograms of gravel composed mostly out of crinoid stems from the tournaisian of Soignies. It is fun to sort out all the different crinoid species in this. I can keep some of it appart for you if you like. do you go to the fossil fair in Gent tomorrow? cheers, Kevin There is a fossil fair tomorrow in Gent?! snarge I didn't knew that, if I knew earlier I probably would have asked a day off at work tomorrow and gone since I already missed paleotime last week. But thanks for letting me know, I will put in in the agenda for next year! Maybe better that I can't attent, spend way too much money on fossils already this month. Interested in all things paleontology, geology, zoology, evolution, natural history and science! Professional exotic pet keeper, huge fantasy geek, explorer of the microfossil realm, member of the BVP (Belgian Association for Paleontology), Volunteer prepper at Oertijdmuseum Boxtel. View my collection topic here: The Growing Collection of Ziggycardon My animal collection at the "Members pet" topic Ziggycardon's exploration of the microfossil realm Trips to Eben Emael (Maastrichtian of Belgium) My latest fossil hunt Next project will be a dedicated prepping space. "A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge." - Tyrion Lannister Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziggycardon Posted March 16, 2019 Author Share Posted March 16, 2019 I started doing some exploring in one of the matrix vials today, not very long though, only took a peek at it for about 15 minutes or so but I already did find some cool things in that time! The Vial consisted out of matrix from The Archer City Formation, Red Beds, Archer County, Texas. Here are a few things I found in there. A serrated tooth, I don't think it's shark so I would guess reptilian, maybe synapsid? I don't really know yet. And I also spotted a piece of spine next to it. I don't know what the long thingy is above but the thing under it looks like a tooth, shark or amphibian perhaps? Another tooth and a piece of scale or dermal plate? I really love this tooth, it kinda looks like it has a pathology. This looks to me like a skull plate, perhaps from an amphibian shark tooth I do know this one! My best find from the matrix, a Barbclabornia tooth! 3 Interested in all things paleontology, geology, zoology, evolution, natural history and science! Professional exotic pet keeper, huge fantasy geek, explorer of the microfossil realm, member of the BVP (Belgian Association for Paleontology), Volunteer prepper at Oertijdmuseum Boxtel. View my collection topic here: The Growing Collection of Ziggycardon My animal collection at the "Members pet" topic Ziggycardon's exploration of the microfossil realm Trips to Eben Emael (Maastrichtian of Belgium) My latest fossil hunt Next project will be a dedicated prepping space. "A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge." - Tyrion Lannister Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziggycardon Posted March 25, 2019 Author Share Posted March 25, 2019 Been exploring a bit more with my microscope these last days. Here are a few photo's of things I found interesting The specimens below all come from the Hastings Bone beds, Weald Clay, Wealdon of Bexhill, Wealden Supergroup, Bexhill, Sussex, UK (135 million years old) A Hybodontid tooth A Bernissartia tooth A fish tooth plate An unidentified hollow bone or tooth fragment An Unidentified tooth 3 Interested in all things paleontology, geology, zoology, evolution, natural history and science! Professional exotic pet keeper, huge fantasy geek, explorer of the microfossil realm, member of the BVP (Belgian Association for Paleontology), Volunteer prepper at Oertijdmuseum Boxtel. View my collection topic here: The Growing Collection of Ziggycardon My animal collection at the "Members pet" topic Ziggycardon's exploration of the microfossil realm Trips to Eben Emael (Maastrichtian of Belgium) My latest fossil hunt Next project will be a dedicated prepping space. "A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge." - Tyrion Lannister Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pagurus Posted March 25, 2019 Share Posted March 25, 2019 5 minutes ago, ziggycardon said: Been exploring a bit more with my microscope these last days. Be careful, it's easy to get lost for hours, days, weeks, years... in that little hole. Start the day with a smile and get it over with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
connorp Posted March 25, 2019 Share Posted March 25, 2019 Another hobby?! Great pictures though. You might want to look into some of those magnifying gem cases to showcase your best finds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziggycardon Posted March 25, 2019 Author Share Posted March 25, 2019 3 hours ago, Pagurus said: Be careful, it's easy to get lost for hours, days, weeks, years... in that little hole. Jepp I already noticed I really love the microfossil world, really love going through the matrix to find some new discoveries! I only need to look for a proper microscope, the one I am working with is only a clip-on microscope for the smartphone. 2 hours ago, connorp said: Another hobby?! Great pictures though. You might want to look into some of those magnifying gem cases to showcase your best finds. Funny that you mention it, cause yesterday I placed some on the matrix vials in magnifying gem cases. I couldn't really get them back in the small vials and thought immediately at those little magnifying cases Interested in all things paleontology, geology, zoology, evolution, natural history and science! Professional exotic pet keeper, huge fantasy geek, explorer of the microfossil realm, member of the BVP (Belgian Association for Paleontology), Volunteer prepper at Oertijdmuseum Boxtel. View my collection topic here: The Growing Collection of Ziggycardon My animal collection at the "Members pet" topic Ziggycardon's exploration of the microfossil realm Trips to Eben Emael (Maastrichtian of Belgium) My latest fossil hunt Next project will be a dedicated prepping space. "A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge." - Tyrion Lannister Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpc Posted March 25, 2019 Share Posted March 25, 2019 Great stuff, and great new sub-hobby. I would love to see the pix of the Hell Creek mammal teeth.They are among my favorites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olorotitan Posted March 25, 2019 Share Posted March 25, 2019 Really neat finds! Your collection spans such a wide range of sizes from your massive spinosaur to these tiny specimens. What microscope are you thinking of getting? I have a nice compound scope which can be great for prepped slides but very difficult to use for larger specimens. I wish I went with a stereoscope instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziggycardon Posted March 25, 2019 Author Share Posted March 25, 2019 31 minutes ago, jpc said: Great stuff, and great new sub-hobby. I would love to see the pix of the Hell Creek mammal teeth.They are among my favorites. Thank you, yeah I am very into it! And you ask, I deliver, here are the photo's I took with my microscope from the teeth. The first should be an incisor from an Altacreodus magnus The second should be premolar from an Alphadon marshi 31 minutes ago, olorotitan said: Really neat finds! Your collection spans such a wide range of sizes from your massive spinosaur to these tiny specimens. What microscope are you thinking of getting? I have a nice compound scope which can be great for prepped slides but very difficult to use for larger specimens. I wish I went with a stereoscope instead. Thank you! It's indeed my goal to get a collection that's a diverse as it can possible get! Well I am not sure, not really knowlegdable enough to make a decisive decision yet. But my usual fossil store has 2 on sale that kinda interest me, but I am not sure if they are good enough for microfossils. I am currently doubting between the "Stereomicroscope Euromex StereoBlue SB.1902P" which sells for € 456 and the "Stereomicroscope Euromex StereoBlue SB.1903P" which sells for € 499,50 Both are pretty similar, the only difference is that the second one can be expanded with parts that allow for micro photography. Here are the specs of both microscopes: Magnification: 7 - 45x zoom Magnification with Close-up lens: Lens SB.8905: 3,5x - 22x zoom Image field: 28,5 - 4,4 mm Working distance: 100 mm Lighting: LED 1W Objective: 0,7 - 4,5x zoom Ocular lens: WF 10x/20mm Size L*W*H: 266x220x317 mm If anyone here is experienced with microfossils, feel free to weigh in! 1 Interested in all things paleontology, geology, zoology, evolution, natural history and science! Professional exotic pet keeper, huge fantasy geek, explorer of the microfossil realm, member of the BVP (Belgian Association for Paleontology), Volunteer prepper at Oertijdmuseum Boxtel. View my collection topic here: The Growing Collection of Ziggycardon My animal collection at the "Members pet" topic Ziggycardon's exploration of the microfossil realm Trips to Eben Emael (Maastrichtian of Belgium) My latest fossil hunt Next project will be a dedicated prepping space. "A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge." - Tyrion Lannister Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynot Posted March 25, 2019 Share Posted March 25, 2019 Nice fossils. I love the micros too. As for a microscope, many brands are good, just get one that has a digital camera attachment. There has been a couple of threads on TFF that discus microscopes. 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...
jpc Posted March 25, 2019 Share Posted March 25, 2019 if you can get one with a boom stand, it will be a thousand times more versatile... The other things I like are continuous zoom and the ability to accept a Barlow lens. See the other posts about microscopes for more details. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olorotitan Posted March 25, 2019 Share Posted March 25, 2019 As jpc has already mentioned, being able to contimuously zoom and barlow finctionality is good, although at your price point Ziggy those are probably included. I think the boom stand can be incredibly useful, especially if you need to peer over a large specimen or one with much matrix. But it will add significantly to the weight and space you will need. A stereoscope on a simple stand may work as well if you're looking at small individual pieces. As for the trinocular heads made for photography, can those be used with cell phones? iirc those were designed for old fashioned film cameras. Or you can photograph holding your phone up to the eye piece like I do, but the pics don't come out the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynot Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 2 hours ago, olorotitan said: As for the trinocular heads made for photography, can those be used with cell phones? I doubt they are compatible. 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...
ziggycardon Posted March 26, 2019 Author Share Posted March 26, 2019 @ynot, @jpc & @olorotitan thanks for the tips, will take a look at the threads here at the forum Interested in all things paleontology, geology, zoology, evolution, natural history and science! Professional exotic pet keeper, huge fantasy geek, explorer of the microfossil realm, member of the BVP (Belgian Association for Paleontology), Volunteer prepper at Oertijdmuseum Boxtel. View my collection topic here: The Growing Collection of Ziggycardon My animal collection at the "Members pet" topic Ziggycardon's exploration of the microfossil realm Trips to Eben Emael (Maastrichtian of Belgium) My latest fossil hunt Next project will be a dedicated prepping space. "A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge." - Tyrion Lannister Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziggycardon Posted March 27, 2019 Author Share Posted March 27, 2019 Some more photo's of more of my recent exploring. This time through some matrix of Lower Gault Clay (Lower Cretaceous), East Wear Bay, Folkestone, Kent, UK Here are some pictures of some of my findings A few small ammonites or nautiloids Or are they gastropods? I don't really know what this is, but they are quite abudent in the matrix. coral of sponge? a shell fragment? Not really an idea of what this is. 3 Interested in all things paleontology, geology, zoology, evolution, natural history and science! Professional exotic pet keeper, huge fantasy geek, explorer of the microfossil realm, member of the BVP (Belgian Association for Paleontology), Volunteer prepper at Oertijdmuseum Boxtel. View my collection topic here: The Growing Collection of Ziggycardon My animal collection at the "Members pet" topic Ziggycardon's exploration of the microfossil realm Trips to Eben Emael (Maastrichtian of Belgium) My latest fossil hunt Next project will be a dedicated prepping space. "A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge." - Tyrion Lannister Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Rico Posted March 27, 2019 Share Posted March 27, 2019 Brilliant thread. I could spend hours if I had a microscope with a camera. Thank you Bobby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynot Posted March 28, 2019 Share Posted March 28, 2019 The round ones look like foramafer, the other 2 are shell bits. 3 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...
Al Dente Posted March 28, 2019 Share Posted March 28, 2019 13 hours ago, ziggycardon said: Some more photo's of more of my recent exploring. This time through some matrix of Lower Gault Clay (Lower Cretaceous), East Wear Bay, Folkestone, Kent, UK Here are some pictures of some of my findings A few small ammonites or nautiloids Or are they gastropods? Tony is right, the ammonite shaped fossils are foraminifera. There are other foraminifera in your photos as well as some ostracod valves. Here’s a good website to explore- http://foraminifera.eu/ 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziggycardon Posted March 28, 2019 Author Share Posted March 28, 2019 22 hours ago, Bobby Rico said: Brilliant thread. I could spend hours if I had a microscope with a camera. Thank you Bobby Thank you I do have a feeling I am gonna waste quite a lot of time with that microscope the coming years Although, time is never wasted when you have a good time 10 hours ago, Al Dente said: Tony is right, the ammonite shaped fossils are foraminifera. There are other foraminifera in your photos as well as some ostracod valves. Here’s a good website to explore- http://foraminifera.eu/ Ooh thank you very much for the link! That's exactly what I have been needing! I am not yet knowledgable in the foraminifera (or microfossils in general) so that website is truly helpfull! Thank you very much! Interested in all things paleontology, geology, zoology, evolution, natural history and science! Professional exotic pet keeper, huge fantasy geek, explorer of the microfossil realm, member of the BVP (Belgian Association for Paleontology), Volunteer prepper at Oertijdmuseum Boxtel. View my collection topic here: The Growing Collection of Ziggycardon My animal collection at the "Members pet" topic Ziggycardon's exploration of the microfossil realm Trips to Eben Emael (Maastrichtian of Belgium) My latest fossil hunt Next project will be a dedicated prepping space. "A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge." - Tyrion Lannister Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
REW01 Posted April 26, 2019 Share Posted April 26, 2019 I know the last post here was a month ago, but I wanted to say something about your thin section. I also love seeing everyone's microfossil collections, as I don't have the capability to really start collecting my own right now. I'd love to get a set of thin sections going though. Especially acquiring some Rhynie Chert thin sections, since that's a very cool site for E. Devonian plant and fungi fossils. On 3/16/2019 at 12:10 PM, ziggycardon said: Thin slice with Aglaophyton major from Rhynie Chert in Scotland In the third photo you can see a distinct darker ring of just a few cells not far from the outer edge of the cross section. Some of those cells probably contain arbuscular tissue from a fungus where hyphae infiltrated the cells of the rhizome. The first one, appears to be decayed (void in the center) and the second looks like an aerial stem, so no hyphae there. Similar associations have also been found with Rhynia and Nothia (probably genus Glomites as it's common). It's generally interpreted as a mycorrhizal-like association between plant and fungus. Asteroxylon mackiei has been found with (presumably) parasitic colonization of its rhizome. There's other fungal material besides those known from the chert, those are just the ones that came to mind here. Here's another example showing the fungi: https://steurh.home.xs4all.nl/engrhyn/eaglao.html#glomites I thought you might like to know a little more about your fossils! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziggycardon Posted April 26, 2019 Author Share Posted April 26, 2019 10 hours ago, REW01 said: I know the last post here was a month ago, but I wanted to say something about your thin section. I also love seeing everyone's microfossil collections, as I don't have the capability to really start collecting my own right now. I'd love to get a set of thin sections going though. Especially acquiring some Rhynie Chert thin sections, since that's a very cool site for E. Devonian plant and fungi fossils. In the third photo you can see a distinct darker ring of just a few cells not far from the outer edge of the cross section. Some of those cells probably contain arbuscular tissue from a fungus where hyphae infiltrated the cells of the rhizome. The first one, appears to be decayed (void in the center) and the second looks like an aerial stem, so no hyphae there. Similar associations have also been found with Rhynia and Nothia (probably genus Glomites as it's common). It's generally interpreted as a mycorrhizal-like association between plant and fungus. Asteroxylon mackiei has been found with (presumably) parasitic colonization of its rhizome. There's other fungal material besides those known from the chert, those are just the ones that came to mind here. Here's another example showing the fungi: https://steurh.home.xs4all.nl/engrhyn/eaglao.html#glomites I thought you might like to know a little more about your fossils! Thank you for your reply, Rhynnie Chert is indeed an amazing site for early devonian plant & fungi fossils. And thank you for the additional information, the seller did indeed state that multiple species of plant and fungi could be found in the thin slices but I didn't have the time yet explore the thin slice in detail, so I really appreciate the additional information, thank you. Interested in all things paleontology, geology, zoology, evolution, natural history and science! Professional exotic pet keeper, huge fantasy geek, explorer of the microfossil realm, member of the BVP (Belgian Association for Paleontology), Volunteer prepper at Oertijdmuseum Boxtel. View my collection topic here: The Growing Collection of Ziggycardon My animal collection at the "Members pet" topic Ziggycardon's exploration of the microfossil realm Trips to Eben Emael (Maastrichtian of Belgium) My latest fossil hunt Next project will be a dedicated prepping space. "A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge." - Tyrion Lannister Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziggycardon Posted May 16, 2019 Author Share Posted May 16, 2019 I've been buzy today with the microscope again One of the fossils I've examined isn't really a microfossil, but it still looks amazing under the microscope. It are 2 juvenile Ichthyosaurus communis teeth found in the jurassic of Charmouth, Dorset, Jurassic Coast, UK (191 - 185 mya) A photo of the jaw of an Anolis sp. from the Oligocene found in fissures in Brooksville site 2, Hernando county, Florida, USA (28 mya) And I've taken some nice photo's of some very small Pyrope garnets from the Czech Republic. 2 Interested in all things paleontology, geology, zoology, evolution, natural history and science! Professional exotic pet keeper, huge fantasy geek, explorer of the microfossil realm, member of the BVP (Belgian Association for Paleontology), Volunteer prepper at Oertijdmuseum Boxtel. View my collection topic here: The Growing Collection of Ziggycardon My animal collection at the "Members pet" topic Ziggycardon's exploration of the microfossil realm Trips to Eben Emael (Maastrichtian of Belgium) My latest fossil hunt Next project will be a dedicated prepping space. "A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge." - Tyrion Lannister Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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