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This past summer, I had the opportunity to embark on a fossil hunting excursion like no other I had done before. And now that my last nodules have opened, I would like to show my finds. A very generous couple, who own land on the Mazon Creek, offer up the opportunity for a unique fossil hunt if one is willing to donate to a great cause, the Canal Corridor Association in Morris, Illinois. No need to know how to swim as the water depth averages knee deep or less. Where else can one find such lovely fossils, meet great people and be wined and dined afterwards!!!!!!!! Well maybe the Peace River in Florida with Jack or Jeff!!! This was the advertisement that drew me in last year. 2020 Mazon Creek Fossil Tour Join us on Saturday August 29th OR Sunday August 30th 2020 for our annual Mazon Creek Fossil Tour in Morris, IL! Take advantage of this unique opportunity to learn about the environment, ecosystems, and climate of Northern Illinois as it was 300 million years ago by collecting fossil specimens at the Mazon Fossil Beds. The adventure begins with a hayride to the original site of the discoveries along the Mazon Creek as it was in the mid-1800s and the opportunity to collect the unique concretions such as ferns and horsetails. Bring a bucket, rock hammer, shoes to wear in the creek, and casual clothing. Everyone will have specimens to take home to remember the day. Afterwards, more fun is to be had with cocktails and al fresco dining to celebrate your finds. All proceeds will go to the Canal Corridor Association to help preserve I & M Canal history, protect its environment, and create tourism. As mentioned above, one can take a leisurely hayride through a beautiful woods, past agricultural fields to get down to the water's edge. But for many of us, including myself, getting to the creek as fast as possible was preferable to being "slowly" escorted so we drove our vehicles. In hindsight, I suggest the hayride. There is definitely AMPLE time to hunt concretions and being first to the stream offers no noticeable advantage. As mentioned the stream is shallow for those who fear water. Concretions are everywhere as you wade through the refreshing water. So make sure to bring a 5 gallon bucket. Nothing else is needed but good water shoes. Here is a picture showing the depth of the creek as two forum members @connorp and @deutscheben take a break to chat. Look to the left and one can see the bank loaded with nodules. These are off limits. Only concretions in the water can be collected. Now just some of my finds. Many concretions can be found split open, laying on the bed of the stream. Water does wear these down but they are still beautiful. The most pristine fossils are within the concretions, requiring the freeze thaw technique to reveal them. This is one time it is advantageous to live in Siberia, I mean Minnesota. I would just take my 5 gallon pail full of concretions, add water and then alternate every few days in and out my front door. Here is what I discovered inside the nodules. Not sure what this is: Unsure what this is: Not sure what this is: And my favorite, a horseshoe crab!

From a flat of specimens identified as from Pit 11. Mouth looks familiar as that of Achistrum, but no dessication cracks. Looking to confirm identification. Thanks! ~Paul

From a flat of specimens identified as from Pit 11. Three dimensional. Small leaf? Thanks! ~Paul