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Hi, As summer ends, I’m excited to share this new and final part of my fossil hunting and photography series. This piece highlights my summer adventures, showcasing the beauty of the landscape, unique rock formations, and my fossil discoveries. The longer days and warm weather create perfect conditions for exploration, enhancing the intricate details of fossils and the surrounding scenery. In this report, I’ll recount summer challenges and joyful moments, from battling high water to rescuing a sleepy duck and enjoying the tranquility of fossil sites. The summer has provided a rich tapestry of experiences that I’m eager to share with you, combining the thrill of discovery with the joy of being outdoors. Everything begin at the Nicolet River Formation, part of the Ordovician period (485-444 million years ago) in Quebec, it is primarily composed of limestone and dolostone, indicating a shallow marine environment. Rich in fossils, including brachiopods, trilobites, and graptolites, it offers insights into the biodiversity and ecological conditions of the time. The sedimentary structures reflect varying depositional environments. Overall, it plays a key role in understanding the geological and biological history of the Ordovician era. To learn more, take a look at my previous series of post, here: The day I went fishing for fossils The day I went fishing for fossils (part II) The day I went fishing for fossils (part III) The day I went fishing for fossils (part IV) Photo#1 - The Solitude of the Fossil Site The fossil site is usually quiet in the early morning, with few visitors. Every weekend, I get up early to make the most of this serene atmosphere. Solitude adds to the magic of my explorations, allowing me to immerse myself fully in the hunt, nature and photography. Soft light of dawn casts a golden hue over the landscape, as strong shadows highlight the fossils, rendering them more visible against the ground. A peaceful ritual, that deepens my connection to the world around me. Photo#2 to 6- Urban Fossil Hunting and Birdwatching Across the beach there’s a Quebec nature reserve, making it an excellent spot for bird watching. When I go early in the morning, I can see bald eagles, great herons, woodpeckers, and a variety of ducks, all of which provide wonderful company. Sometimes, I even meet fellow birdwatchers and engage in trade photography tips with them, blending my hobbies seamlessly. Unfortunately, I’m not well-equipped for bird photography, so my photos often rely on zooming and enhancing my pictures by software. Despite this, they capture exactly what I was seeing—like the heron shrouded in the morning mist, its silhouette graceful against the soft light. Each image may not be perfect, but they reflect the beauty of those serene moments I pass in nature. Heron Cormorants Mallard Female Mallard Common Mergansers (Males and Female) Photo#7 to 8 - Beaches Hidden treasures The river was high all summer, preventing me from reaching my trove. Underwater, a large plate of Sowerbyella and crinoid ossicles lies, occasionally broken apart by waves that wash smaller pieces ashore. Alternatively, I use an improvised stick made from a branch to bring broken pieces to shore. Crinoid: Ossicles, Brachiopod: Sowerbyella Sowerbyella plate with some ossicles Photo#9 - Inukshuks: Sentinels of the Fossil Landscape For some reason, people have a strong urge to build inukshuks, resulting in the area being dotted with them. Each week, some collapse while new ones replace them. Building an inukshuk can be form of creative expression, but I believed there’s a simple joy in balancing stones and seeing how they fit together. It can be a playful and meditative activity, by providing a sense of accomplishment and relaxation. Most are small, but occasionally someone goes all out to creates one as tall as a human. Inukshuk Photo#10 - Fossil-Flopology: Turning Rocks The beach is strewn with an incredible array of rocks, and I've discovered that it's often rewarding to flip them over to explore they other side. By chance, inuksuk builders are unknowingly working for me, by returning rocks. It led me to uncover numerous fossils, as pictured in this topic. While cross-sections of fossils may not appeal to everyone, I've found a captivating colorful motif in this particular bryozoan specimen. Branching Bryozoan cross section Photo#- Treasure Hunter meet Fossils Hunter This summer, I came across a treasure hunter with a metal detector. He found some old coins and keys, but nothing too valuable. Still, the thrill of the search was palpable in is talk and we had a few laughs about our respective hunt. Photo#11 - The Kayak Rescuer The funniest fossil hunt I had was when I encountered a kayaker without a paddle, struggling and drifting towards the rapids. Luckily, I had found his paddle earlier in the day. Without hesitation, I went back to get the paddle and got my feet wet to give it to him, possibly saving his life. In the rush, I forgot to take any pictures, except for the paddles I had found earlier. Heroic, but undocumented! Photo#12 to 14 The Perilous Waterfall and the Drowsy Duck Near my fossil hunting spot, a man-made waterfall often hosts birds taking a break. One day, while walking by the river, I noticed a duck that seemed too relaxed, in fact, after zooming with my camera objective, I could see that he was sleeping his head tucked in is plumage. My heart skipped a beat. This poor duck was inches from a watery plunge! Recalling the occasional dead ducks found downstream, I knew I had to act. With adrenaline pumping, I sprinted to the riverbank, yelling, "HEEEEEEE!" at the top of my lungs. The duck jolted awake, flapping and quacking in sheer panic, and managed to flutter away from the fall, barely escaped the plunge. I couldn't help but chuckle at my self, what the hell I’m I doing, saving a duck. Nevertheless, I was glade to have save the little reckless beastie. Photo# The Pickaxe Predicament: Rogue Fossil Hunters I never take a pickaxe with me, I prefer letting nature unearth my fossils, each one lovingly prepped by water and rain. Besides, it's illegal to dig up fossils in a municipal park. However, not everyone shares my respect for the rules. I once found a pickaxe abandoned by a digger (Naturally, I took it home as a souvenir). Their efforts only erode the site, causing more harm than good, there are not many trilobites to be found there, and no real treasure to be found, mostly brachiopod and crinoid ossicles, really ordinary fossils. I shake my head at their folly, their efforts amuse me, especially as I chuckle at my unexpected trophy—a testament to their misguided enthusiasm. Photo#15 to 33- Nature's Beauty: Wildflowers and Fossils Besides fossils, I love photographing nature, In the summer they are always nice wild flowers nearby waiting to be photographed. I offend connect with nature, and include it in my fossil’s pictures. And summer's wildflowers are adding a touch of beauty to my pictures, creating a stunning juxtaposition of ancient and ephemeral. Symphyotrichum at different stage Anemone and Crinoid ossicles, Brachiopod Catazyga Headi Brachiopod Catazyga Headi Anemone and brachiopod Onniella meeki and strophomena Brachiopod Catazyga Headi Micro Gastropods, Crinoid ossicles Garden Geranium and Crinoid ossicles Gastropods cross section Crinoid ossicles, Hypericum perforatum(Klamath Weed) and Brachiopod Catazyga Headi Brachiopod: Rafinesquina Chives Garden Geranium and Brachiopod Sowerbyella Photo#34 Crinoid Thief: The Gastropod's Bold Claim I spotted a fossil and was ready to claim my prize, but it was already occupied by a gastropod, a live one. At first, I didn't notice the cheeky squatter. Only when I got down for a closer look at my fossil did I see the little guy eyeing my crinoid ossicle. Well, fair's fair. He got there first. So, I took a picture of the little thief and let him keep the fossil. Sometimes, even in the fossil-hunting world, you’ve got to respect the rules of the wild! Who knew fossil hunting could come with such unexpected competition. Modern Gastropod Photo#35 - The Lone Mushroom: A Striking Contrast One day, I found a lone mushroom growing among the ancient stones. Its vibrant life contrasted beautifully with the fossilized remnants around it, creating a poignant scene. Common Inkcap Fungi - Coprinus atramentarius Photo#36 to 42 - Mushrooms Party This summer was so humid, the mushrooms threw a party at my fossil site! I was blessed with a variety of fungi I’d never seen before. Dryad´s Saddle (Polyporus squamosus) Wild mushrooms - Simocybe centunculus ? Giant Puffball Calbovista subsculpta Turkey tail mushroom Trametes suaveolens Schizophyllum commune Photo#43 to 44 - The Unusual Gaze My site is usually hardly frequented, but when crouching to take pictures, I still feel a bit uncomfortable when people see me. I always wonder what they thinking, they usually scatter away, and trying to avoid me, like I was some kind of derange individual. But it never discourages me from looking for fossil and nature that surrounds me, small things could easily be miss when standing up, right? Grape leaf skeletonizer moth caterpillar (Harrisina americana) Bee Photo#45 to 47 - Well-Preserved Fossils: A Rewarding Find Finding a well-preserved fossil brings a sense of accomplishment and excitement, each discovery adding to the joy of the hunt. Like this nice crinoid ossicles, bivalve and brachiopods. Crinoid ossicles, Brachiopod sowerbyella Bivalve Pteriomorphia Brachiopod Rafinesquina Photo#48 to 50 - Sowerbyella Brachiopod: Nature's Prep Work Sowerbyella brachiopod are the most common fossil in my hunting grounds, but I some time have to wait until the end of summer for the water level to drops, revealing these fossils nestled below. Them. I can collect some nice plate that have already been prep by the constant wave motion, removing bit by bit the layering of the shall, until they are just perfectly prep. Timing is crucial; waiting too long risks erosion; I carefully monitor the beach weekly, to ensure I capture these delicate fossils at their perfectly prepped best before nature's artistic touch fades. Brachiopod sowerbyella Brachiopod sowerbyella Brachiopod sowerbyella Page# 51 to 52 - Nature’s Artistry: Fossilized Muscles The natural prepping of brachiopods by the environment can be astonishingly rewarding. Take this internal mold of a Sowerbyella brachiopod’s organs, for instance. You can distinctly see the muscles and other intricate details prepped by water, wind, and time. Who knew that beneath the unassuming exterior of a fossil, there could be such a detailed display of anatomy that can be preserved. Brachiopod sowerbyella internal mold Need to id the brachiopod in the top left corner Photo#53 - Hilarious Duck Waddle: My Microfossil Hunt I've recently discovered an abundance of microfossils, predominantly crinoid segments and micro gastropods, as showcased in my next pictures. I talk about this before. Hunting these minuscule wonders requires a unique approach; must adopt a crouched posture and move stealthily, resembling a duck walk, along the water's edge to successfully locate them; imagine crouching and waddling along the water line, executing a perfect imitation of a fossil-seeking duck. And, well, I've had my fair share of embarrassing moments – a couple of times, I've been caught in the act. Let's just say my fossil pursuits have become an unintentional spectacle, much to the entertainment of any unsuspecting onlookers! Ideally, the endeavor is a solitary one to avoid any potential embarrassment! At least I can assure you, my quacking technique is top-notch – both in the field and as a source of amusement for unwitting spectators! Photo#54 to 55 - Tick Protection and People's Reactions I always protect my self against tick, by waring long pants and sleave, because there lots of tree and vegetation were the beach gets narrower. This is a more isolated area where black birds are nesting, and I know they are parasite carrier. On hot days, this can produce surprising reaction from people, like this guy yelling at me “you idiot put some short”. People can be such pain in the some time, when they certain they know best, when they really don’t know. MIcrofossil Crinoid Ossicles, Gastropod Crinoid Ossicles, Gastropod Story #56 to 58 - Microfossil Makeover: From Ancient to Awesome After my hunt, I some time engage in a playful manipulation of colors to accentuate their details and make them visually pop within the photographs. Recently, my discoveries have unveiled a wealth of these tiny treasures. When enhancing images, I experimented with color scheme to make the microfossils pop, they now stand out like neon signs. It not only makes the fossils more visible, but it also contributes to an aesthetically pleasing composition, turning images into stylish abstract arts. Micro fossils Micro fossils Story#59 to 63 - Fossil Fishing': Timing is Everything The Sowerbyella brachiopods dominate the fossil landscape at my hunting spot, nestled below the waterline. However, my collecting expeditions are often timed with the end of summer when the water levels recede, revealing these treasures. Patiently awaiting this seasonal shift, I harvest beautifully prepped plates shaped by the rhythmic wave action meticulously peeling away layers of the shale. The delicate balance is crucial; waiting too long risks erosion, prompting me to diligently survey the beach weekly, typically on weekends, to seize the perfect specimens before nature's touch eases them. Brachiopod sowerbyella Brachiopod sowerbyella Crinoid ossicles, Branching Bryozoan Bi-Valve Brachiopod sowerbyella, Catazyga Headi, Photo#64 to 70 - Underwater Artistry: Brachiopod Edition Water is often part of my composition, because it gives more vibes to the fossils, hide imperfections and gives some life with vibrant color and moving effect. Here is a stunning plate of brachiopod fossils positioned just below the waterline, giving the appearance of a piece of artwork. The photography captures the subtle effects of receding water, which has created gentle ripples that enhance the scene and create a cartoon like effect. To further highlight the fossils, I made small adjustments to the colors and lighting, adding touch of refinement to this already captivating image. Brachiopod: Hebertella occidentalis and sowerbyella Brachiopod Catazyga Headi Brachiopod: Hebertella occidentalis and sowerbyella Branching Briozoan Brachiopod Rafinesquina Crinoid segment and sowerbyella Photo# 71 to 72 - Leaving Fossils Undisturbed It's worth noting that I often respectfully left the fossils undisturbed at their original location for others to admire and appreciate. It is worth looking through vegetation, as one can sometime find nice surprise like theses nice looking plate. Crinoid osticles, sowerbielly brachiopod, Maple leef Crinoid Ossicles Photo#73 – looking in every crevice It is worth while to look in every crevice, in this case I found , not only for the nice Catazyga headi plate, but also a special photo composition nature made for me. Theses are moment of surprise; I appreciate in my hunt for fossils. Catazyga headi Photo#74 – Summer Surprises: From Disappointment to Delight I was disappointed when winter’s ice and spring’s swift waters tore away fossil plates without leaving new ones. At the start of summer, I felt like my fossil hunting was ruined. But as I kept searching, I realized it wasn’t so bad after all, I found unexpected surprises—a trilobite and other fossils that now enrich my collection. What began as a disappointment turned out to be rewarding discoveries. The treasure hunt was more challenging this year, but the thrill of the chase made each find that more precious. Brachiopod: Nice plate of Catazyga headi Photo#75 - The lonely trilobite I found this trilobite among small pebbles, As I search, turning hand full of rock at once, a small plate made from a soft and friable rock chatter I multiple fragments, I was lucky to get it (the trilobite) in a single piece, as this is my first one at this location. Trilobite: Calymene Photo#76 to 87: Fossil Hunting After Hurricane Beryl Although the season began slowly, as the water levels receded, more fossils came within reach. The heavy rains, some from Hurricane Beryl, also helped prep hidden fossils on the beach, almost like nature was giving me a hand. This year, I found a great variety of fossils, including my very first graptolite. I also found what might be a cephalopod, possibly with something encrusting it. Plus, I found my largest branching bryozoan, with a half-inch diameter at its base, along with many other fossils Branching Bryozoan Bivalve Rafinesquina Crinoid segment Brachiopod Sowerbyella Brachiopod Strophomena Rafinesque Brachiopod Catazyga headi Branching Bryozoan Brachiopod Rafinesquina Brachiopod : Sowerbyella and Strophomena Rafinesque Bivalve Goniophora curvata Bryozoan Stenolaemata Hallopora Graptolite imprint and Cephalopod Photo#88 - The Joy of Fossil Hunting Fossil hunting allows me to connect with nature, appreciate the wonders of the natural world and get physically engaging in an activity during summer days. Branching Bryozoan Story #89 - Fossil Art: Crowded Rocks Some rocks are so crowded with fossil they resemble a modern pieces of art. I mean, who knew that nature's version of a Jackson Pollock painting would be found in fossils. https://historia-arte.com/obras/mural-pollock Gastropods cross section Story #90 to 102- Crinoid Ossicles: Endless Fascination I have a fascination for crinoid, maybe because they have a way to surprise me with, they shape and colors, all the same but in a way so different: Circular (Round), Pentagonal, Star-shaped (with a central star), Hexagonal, Square (Quadrate) and even Elliptical (Oval) without counting the form of calyx ossicles. A plate strewn with crinoid segments, discovered along the beach, awaits careful preparation upon my return home. I find myself irresistibly drawn to these crinoids and am always eager to undertake the necessary steps to unveil their beauty. I have hundred plates of crinoid ossicles; it’s too tempting for me to resist, I keep adding more to my collection: Crinoid Ossicles Photo#103 to 106 - A Sweet Crinoid Discovery I found this small crinoid ossicle that look like a candy among sand and small rock I discovered theses petite crinoids’ ossicles amidst the sand and small rocks, resembling a sweet confectionary delight. Never know what I will find while playing in the sand like a 5-year-old, adds an element of whimsy to the experience. Crinoid ossicles Photo#107 - Not the Sole Hunter While crouching to photograph seemingly ordinary fossils, I noticed I wasn't the sole hunter in the vicinity. Occasionally, the appearance of an unexpectedly different subject presents a unique opportunity for capturing great pictures, especially when the camera is at the ready. Caddisflies Photo#108 to 109- Using my Shadows for Better Photos At times, adding shadows to the subject can be beneficial. In this instance, I added my own shadow, to part of the subject, in the first image to remove glare cause by the water reflecting the sky and sun light and in the second image to add ambience to an otherwise dull picture. Crinoid ossicles Brachiopod sowerbyella Photo#110 to 111 - Nature's Tapestry Nature can show amazing tapestry of motives and colors, like theses natural color I found on theses rocks, one could think, some jocker as painted a rainbow. Photo#112- Parallelogram: A rock for math lessons? I stumbled upon a rock split in half, forming a perfect parallelogram. It looked so out of place, like a rogue geometric object in a world of organic chaos. It should be at school with grade 4 students. The real kicker? Making it seem even more bizarre, the parallelogram was bordered by a yellow line, making it look even more like it belonged in a math class rather than nature. It was as if nature had decided to dabble in geometry and highlighter pens for a day, leaving behind this quirky masterpiece. I couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it— perfect parallelograms in the wild, like rogue pieces of modern art. Nature sure has a sense of humor! Parallelogram Photo#113 - Invasive species: Sunbathing Crayfish Walking along the beach has its surprises. One day, I stumbled upon a crayfish lounging out of the water, sunbathing between the rocks. I had no idea these little critters could survive on land until that moment. It is only one of the invasive species, I’ve also found zebra mussel, Purple loosestrife, Asian Carps and many other. Crayfish Photo#114 - Unexpected Beauty: Multicolored Fungus I often need to look closely at ground level to search for fossils, and this perspective helps me discover other fascinating details nearby that might otherwise be missed. For instance, I recently noticed a variety of lichens growing on a surface. They showcase beautiful range of colors and textures, from vibrant greens and yellows to subtle grays and pinks. Some have leafy structures, while others resemble tiny cups or branching coral-like formations. I don't know if it's just me, but I find multi-colored fungus on a branch to be surprisingly beautiful. These fresh little buttons of Lichen, each a different hue, create a stunning tapestry. It's as if nature decided to become an artist, turning decay into a vibrant masterpiece. Lichen on a twig Photo#115 - Grape Vine I offend pause my hunt to take photograph of what is around me, getting down on my nee allow me to see think I might have miss when standing up on my feet, like this grape vine on the ground after a morning showers. Grape Vine Photo#116- Lost and Found: Licenses Returned As I strolled along the beach, I came across a driving license, a fishing permit, and several other cards, some of which had fallen into the water. Fortunately, I was able to gather up most of them. The address was on one of the cards so I return them to its rightful owner. The couple was surprised and grateful, happy to skip the trouble of replacing them. It turned out they had accidentally dropped them from a pocket earlier. It was the end of a lovely and wonderful day! The joy of summer fossil hunting comes from the blend of outdoor adventure, discovery, and the excitement of uncovering ancient fossilise life forms. This activity deepens my appreciation for the natural world and its many mysteries. Heron in the mist of the morning I wish you to find joy in the wonders of nature and to marvel at the mysteries of life… just as I do.

La Cloche Island, north of Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada Details on the locality: I appreciate any details you might be able to give.

I have visited this fossil for many years and still am not sure what it is. It is located in the northern Bighorn Mountains, Bighorn County, Wyoming, USA. It's elevation is 2900m (9600 feet) and is embedded in Bighorn Dolomite limestone from the Ordovician Period. The fossil is 60 cm (23 inches) long and approximately 18 cm (7 inches) wide. One photo shows the fossil with a trekking pole that is 1m long for scale. I am attaching 4 photos. I am new to the site and would appreciate any help that you can give. Thanks, John Campbell

The Delaware Bay and Delaware River shores are littered with lovely marine erratics. They aren't local. They aren't young. You have to dig pretty darn deep in Delaware just to get to the Cretaceous in some places. These are Paleozoic. Many pieces are limestone and probably from the Mahantango FM. But, I find just as many that are definitely not limestone. They are silicified to cert and other shades of SiO2 plus a bit of dark blue/black mineral. I'm thjingking they are ordovician, based on the Foerstiphyllum sp. corals here. The puzzle is, where do they and the other silicified corals, sponges, bryozoa etc, come from? The DE geological Survey doesn't even mention the erratics. I was told that it's been washed down from the Appalachians. Okay, there are definitely ordovician layers there that could have eroded into the river, but all I can find are formations of limestone and fine-to-very-fine grained sandstone. Been doing all kinds of searching through descriptions of geological formations in the area and I'm coming up blank. Anyone have any ideas?

Hey there guys. First of all, I would like to deeply apologize for the potato phone, over exposed, shaky, early Blackberry quality of the picture. This is not what I am used to post here on TFF and I am somewhat ashamed of this footage. I took the picture late at night and did not verify the image quality before leaving the site, which is far away from home. I will acknowledge and accept every insult sent towards me for this rookie mistake. Help me God. But there it is. We were at the end of a rope climbing course in Portneuf county, Québec province, Canada; when we stumbled upon a well preserved tightly cyrtoconic nautiloid cephalopod. The fossil was found in the Middle Ordovician Deschambault limestone formation (Trenton Group), on a horizontal limestone bed by a small river. The specimen in 10 centimeters across (10x10 cm, or 10 cm diameter). Chambers and septas could clearly be observed in the shell (even on the terrible/punishable by prison picture), but not the siphuncle. Since this is the first cyrtoconic nautiloid I find in this area, I would like to read your educated guesses on which Order or Family this nautiloid could belong to. After a short chat with OpenAI, we narrowed it down to a possible Tarphycerida, but I'd like to read you guys instead since human experience and judgment is much more reliable that actual AI. What Order/Family do you think it belongs to? Thank you very much.

ESCONI (Earth Science Club of Northern Illinois) sponsored a fossil collecting trip to the Dekalb Quarry last weekend and my wife and I were fortunate enough to make it off the standby list and attend. Its always good to go collecting, even when the fossils are few and far between, which was the case this time. The quarry personnel had kindly put out some rock for us to go through (Ordovician aged Galena and/or Maquoketa rocks) which the group of a couple dozen folks did. Unfortunately, the fossils were pretty sparse in the shales and limestones. I came away with one decent sized chunk of an Isotelus thorax (see below) and a few other trilobite scraps. I was pleasantly surprised when the genal spine came to light after a little prepping as it was barely visible when I split the shale. I saw another bigger Isotelus thorax and a nice chunk of bryozoan, but many other folks found very little. As is often the case, meeting and talking to some new folks is always a big plus. For me, I was very happy to finally get to meet @connorp as we have communicated a few times via TFF and his posts always have loads of good info on fossils of the Midwest (primarily). Thanks to Dave from ESCONI for organizing the trip and Connor, it was great to meet you and get to chat a bit.

I returned home two weeks ago from a two week long fossil hunting excursion out west. Like my trip two years ago, I drove all the way from my home in southeastern New York out to northcentral Wyoming with many stops along the way. The first day was on and off rain from here to Toledo, Ohio where I stopped. Next day drove through northern Indiana and passed through Chicago, finally stopping at my cousin's in Madison, Wisconsin. Late morning, the next day, I met up with Mike (Minnbuckeye) in Fennimore, Wisconsin and he took me to two sites of the Upper Ordovician Platteville Formation where we spent the afternoon collecting. Here is a photo of one of the sites with Mike and finds that we both made. Mike was generous and gave me a number of specimens. As you can see there are a few nice hash browns, I mean hash plates, trilobite parts, brachiopods, nautiloids, including the unusual Gonioceras occidentale (the fossil and counterpart), plus the gastropod, Sinuites, and the ostracod, Eoleperditia fabulites.

So I debated even posting this, because I admit I did the absolute bare minimum (precisely one photograph). I used a significant portion of my battery life on this walk taking pictures so when I took this one my phone immediately died so I wasn't able to get more detailed pics. I also wasn't really thinking about this forum when I took these pics so apologies for that. I'm very very new to fossil hunting and ID. This was at the same place as my last post here (near Lexington, KY in the Oregon formation). The rock was a smooth, cylinder shape. Part of the cylinder shape jutted out and you could trace the shape all the way around. It just seemed really out-of-place on the rock with how smooth it was and how it stuck out. It was covered in these weird squiggly things that you can see in the picture. My (very) uneducated guess is that this is some type of coral? But I don't know. I understand if theres no ID that can be made because I did a poor job of documenting this, but even telling me if its a fossil or not would be helpful. Near Lexington, Kentucky, Ordovician rock, Oregon formation, was about 8 inches across.

Some fake brittle stars? When I looked at the specimen closer, I noticed traces of air bubbles.

https://www.labrujulaverde.com/en/2024/09/earth-had-a-ring-like-saturns-for-millions-of-years-and-its-shadow-triggered-an-ice-age/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ordovician_meteor_event

Hi! I was near Lexington, KY as part of a university trip, and on one of the hiking trails there was a spot to hunt for fossils (but not take them!) I decided to turn over some rocks, and sure enough, I found something that is almost certainly a fossil. This was very spontaneous and I wasn't allowed to take it home, but I got several pictures to use for a collection project my class is doing. I sent this to a paleontologist friend and he said it's a nautiloid, but I wanna make sure before I put this in my project. This is my first animal fossil I've ever found! So I'm all excited about it even though I couldn't keep it. Detailed info: -near Lexington, KY -Ordovician rock -about 8-10 inches long (again, sorry for not getting a proper scale, I didn't really think about it) -found earlier today, left it where it was

Hopefully, there are some folks here who may remember me. I joined rather briefly around 5 years ago, with multiple photos of mostly macro fossils from the lower Ordovician - that I could not get identified. By way of re-introduction, I'm an ABD PhD- from long ago; essentially a broadly trained evolutionary ecologist; some actual education in geology and paleontology. Then Covid hit; and hit me and mine quite hard; just recovering now. The fossils are still very much here; and very much unidentified. Not for lack of trying! I've been talking and showing them to 2 former Heads of Geology Departments, and a few more professional geologists. Plenty of interest- very friendly folk- but- at this point they are all assuring me that they are NOT paleontologists; but geologists. And, alas, my 2 Dept. Heads are now saying all their old paleontologist colleagues- are "gone"; one way or the other, mostly to do with age. And they don't know where to send me. It's not like the world is full of paleontologists who can honestly claim expertise in the Ordovician- and I do need experts. For a long list of weird circumstances. To start with- the fossils are located near the top of the "Oneota Dolomite" formation, which is of course dolostone, not dolomite, In the SE corner of Fillmore County, Minnesota. That formation is pretty consistent dolostore, about 300 feet thick, and for me, theoretically overlain with the New Richmond Sandstone, which barely gets into Minnesota. The juncture is an unconformity, of a large but unknown number of years, but the New Richmond is still considered "lower Ordovician." So, dolostone below, sandstone above, yes? But my fossils are - ~95% pure silicon dioxide, in a layer that is 95% silicon dioxide, that is mostly snow white, does not fracture like chert, with the silicon layer some 15'-30' thick- and- nobody has ever really mapped this formation; or much noticed it. Finally did find one professional notice - from hundreds of miles away in Wisconsin. In 1956, this geologist described the exact twin of my formation; stones, thickness, and fossils- identical. JOURNAL OF SEDIMENTARY PETROLOGY, Vor.. 23, No. 3, Pp. 174-179 FIGS. 1-4, SEPTEMBER,1953 SILICIFICATION IN THE ONEOTA DOLOMITE, N. PROIOPOVICH University of Minnesota. That's a bear to dig out- I have a PDF, but it's supposed to be a behind the paywall thing. Lots of surveying indicates this layer of white silicate is not a scarce formation; rather it is seldom exposed, and the kind of stone that quarries and engineers hate- it's much harder than your tools, and will destroy your grinders- so - just get rid of it and get back to work. Nobody has noticed it. The formation is abundantly supplied with fossils- just run off the common list of Ordovician stuff- most I have identified. But there are also plenty that don't seem to be identified anywhere, including some major ones. My favorite is Big Bertha; a solid block of silicate (probably 6 tons)- that nobody so far can identify at all. Kinda looks looks like a big modern reef coral- but it has none of the coral signatures. If it's a stony sponge- it's not like any others. Complex innards, complex rock- that my 10 lb quarry breaker bounces off of. Here's the big juicy bait- my site is ~ 20 miles away from the Decorah Impact Event, cause of the Winneshiek Lagerstätte fossil site. Did my strata get rumpled when that thing hit? Sure. When? I've taken to ignoring the next "official" statements about "middle, or lower" or 470M or 440M... none of the authorities have checked with each other. That metorite hit very close in distance; and time- and my fossls sometimes come out of the overburden - as a single, isolated fossil; no surrounding stone. Um. Oh, and all the fossils are totally undeformed- except by predators; lots of them are obviously from bottom sediment. Extremely fine detail is totally preserved- I suspect soft tissue also, as in some chert. At this point I've been working on this formation for some 7 years, with a good deal of effort. I've got thousands of photos at this point, finally did get a good camera and lens. Thing is- the photos are all hopeless to convey the actualities- as most of you already know. I need experts to come and see, hands on. This is supposed to be an "introduction", right? lol. So I'll stop- with a few photos. Sorry, scale not always well provided, but can be inferred, and I do better now. Looking for forward to comments and questions!

I shared some pictures of my Geodized Gastropod in my introduction post, and was asked to provide more pictures so I brought it over here to share those pictures and provide more information. Information I can now provide (thanks to this forum) This gastropod is from Ordovician Era. Found in an Alluvium (creek bed) that flows through the Cumberland Formation in May of 2022. Find location is also downstream by less than 1/4 mile (>1/2km) from an injunction of the Ole Leipers Limestone (south central Kentucky) formation. I have not gotten to specificly research these formations yet for their known fossils, but it is my next step! Previously (using an over generalized geological map of Kentucky ... and my inability to accurately guess where about my spot is without county lines or smaller town names... ) I thought my find location was in a Devonian/ Mississippian location... while those are both present and fairly close, I was wrong. I know with it being geodized, odds of getting down to a species is going to be pretty slim, but I can't help but try! (Added note: this is one of MANY geodized gastropods I have from this area... this is the only one of this particular shape... but I have a good dozen or so more shapes I am working to identify 😉 or get as close as I can) Educated Guesses thus far (and based off of the wrong info of possible Devonian/Mississippian Era) 1. Paleozoic Turbinate Gastropod even though that Era isn't close to my find sight at all, it does bear resemblance of Paleozoic Turbinate Gastropods found on the very limited geological Kentucky survey website. 2. Geodized Ammonite... no species guess, and just based off of a dry picture and shape alone with no context of location during a passing conversation with one of my Geologist heros I got a chance encounter with at a local fossil show! And in his defense, he just claimed that it could be based on shape, but he'd need to see it in person or better pictures before saying for certian. (Though, it did crush my soul when I learned it probably wasn't as it would have been my only ammonite find of my lifetime) Feel free to share your opinions! I'm always open to learning as much as I can! Oh... and forgive the odd rulers... they are cm but are from a paper cutting board... used for paper projects like scrapbooking... so it doesn't visibly start counting the centimeters until its at 3cm to account for what's under the bar that holds down the paper at the cut line... I apparently have little to nothing with cm on it, but that will be remedied soon! All pictures of specimen are taken while slightly damp to help show details. Top view, straight down Bottom view, straight down Side view, with shell opening on bottom and the only way it would stand vertical on its own Side view, angled and propped to show gastropod shell 'opening' from position of bottoms up Side view, angled and propped to show gastropod shell 'opening' from position of top up. Side view, flat to show gastropod shell 'opening' of natural laying position. Possible beneficial alternate views::

A few weeks ago I discovered that I live very close to fossiliferous Ordovician formations in southern MN. Thanks to the advice and tips from a few members from this forum, I embarked on my first ever fossil hunt by myself. Here are some of my most interesting finds over a span of about 3 different days. On my first, I was searching on the wrong part of the quarry (rookie mistake lol) and I barely found any interesting stuff. On day 2, after some advice from other fossil hunters, I moved to a different area, and this was my first “cool” find. A cephalon fragment from what I believe to be Eomonarachus. As a trilobite collector, this hyped me up tremendously, and I decided to return the next day. Here are some of my finds. This is probably my favorite find so far. This Little Rock contains no less than 3 (I believe to be) Eomonarachus cephalon, and 1 “negative” or perhaps the under side of another cephalon on the top left. You may have to zoom in as the exposed cephalons are very tiny, none reaches 1cm in length. Finally, a controversial piece. Shy of 2cm in length, I think this piece resembles a fragment of an Isotelus cephalon. Not convinced, and I can see some sort of brachiopod on the left side. I’m open to your comments! Here is a pic of an actual Isotelus. I highlighted the area that would correspond to my fragment. thank you so much for reading!

Need help with this pygidium from the Maquoketa. It measures 2.5mm across.

Hey yall! Got out collecting at a couple localities in North-Central New York today, the first of which was a Trenton Group site (not sure which formation) that produces some nice trilobites and echinoderms. Along with some good crinoids, I also pulled this thing which kinda caught my eye. I’m leaning towards cyclocystoid, and a knowledgeable colleague of mine thinks similarly, but I just wanted to post it on the forum to get some more opinions! It’s about 1 cm in diameter. Cheers!

Today I went to make a trip to the Georgian Bay formation in Toronto, at one of my favourite locals along the Humber River. I realised since I havent gone this entire summer visiting the Georgian Bay formation so I decided today was the time. I feel like since I live so far away now from this locality and work full time it has been difficult for me to spend more time fossil hunting. My first find was a water worn Isotelus maximus molt on a piece of limestone. I knew I was capable of finding nicer specimens than this, so I decided not to keep it. My second find is a nicer specimen, this time it is a complete Treptoceras crebiseptum. I used my hammer and chisel to dislodge it from the shale. Thank goodness it came out nicely. It turns out to be calcite specimen which I liked. I had to dig it out from a depth of 5 cm in the water. Making progress with dislodging it... The entire specimen pulled out from the shale underwater. It also has the complete body chamber which I am pleased with. The next find after the Treptoceras is a nice partial Endoceras proteiforme I found on a river bank. I didnt keep this one since I am such a picky collector. It has a bit of the endocone speiss on the top. This Endoceras also has the unmistakable yellow colouration on it. This specimen is more of a body chamber imo. The Humber River can be shallow upstream which can be fun to waddle in. I also found this small cute trace fossil assemblage of Rusophycus sp. made the Flexicalymene trilobites of the formation. I decided to keep this one. Along the way I encountered another Endoceras proteiforme specimen, this one I decided to keep. It was found on an upper part of a limestone bedding a couple of cm thick, with shale on top hence why it is so fragile. I have to be careful with how I will carry it back home to my city of Hamilton, Ontario. In situ pic. With the sun setting just past 7 I had to hurry up and gather my specimens before things get dark outside. I'm glad this trip bore nice specimens for me. Imo my most productive sites tend to experience plenty of strong erosion forces, and a cold icy winter season really churns the rocks here which surfaces a lot of fossils.

Greetings all. I hope to be making a series of posts on FFM, regarding the geological anomaly I've been working on for some 7 years now. This post is intended to lay down for all to see the basics of the formation - this is more important than usual, because so many aspects of this stone are - very literally - unique. Except for one publication, from 1953 (well buried and unknown) I haven't found another formation like it in the literature. Location: the formation is in SE Fillmore County, Minnesota, USA, arguably in Pierce County, Wisconsin, and by fossil identification possibly in Winona County, Minnesota. The surrounding area is known as "The Driftless Region" to many here, named because the "glacial drift", gravels etc associated with the Pleistocene glaciations ubiquitous in most of Minnesota and Wisconsin - are not found here. The Driftless extends into Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa. The glaciologists long ago discovered that for reasons still not understood, the continental glaciers split and went around us; leaving hilly terrain not flattened by glaciers, but formed by ancient rainfall / stream erosion. Whereas farmers just 50 miles west of us are plowing clay loams likely to be full of glacial erratic boulders and gravel, the farms around here are plowing silt loams without stone of any kind, derived from aeolian deposits of loess. Where my first well was drilled, the loess is over 6 meters (20 feet) deep; not uncommon. The soil depth is highly variable at this point, erosion of tilled loess is horrifying; and some ancient wind drifting phenomena likely play a part. A you travel towards the Mississippi from the middle of Fillmore county, the land becomes less and less farmable, because the hills get steeper, deeper, and closer. In that country is where my silicate formation is, the nature of the land is why it hasn't been noticed before. I've had long conversations, including with the expert geologists, on why these blinding white stones have not been "noticed". Multiple reasons. A) both moss and lichens grow on them instantly- if exposed in the natural world they quickly are not white; either on land or in water. B ) the stone is very hard; but- also rigid and will shatter with a good whack. Having watched 3 1,000 year floods cut my dry run 1 meter deeper in 5 hours - then fill it again- these streams are highly efficient ball mills; with boulders of all kinds as the balls. The stone in the water course bottoms is fascinating; because it includes glacial stone from events far older than the Pleistocene- basalt to gabbro- plenty hard. This silicate, once in the stream- will be pounded into sand very rapidly. C) It isn't everywhere the 2 other formations meet- surveys of where the Oneota meets the New Richmond do not mention any muilti- meter silicate in between. And D), a surmise based on my surveys and broken wrist - where the silicate is exposed by stream erosion, it tends to from a ledge that prevents erosion above it, and allows erosion beneath- leading to a very steep valley. True for me- which is how I broke my wrist rolling down a 75° hillside for 35 meters or so. That's where the outcrop was- and it's too snarge steep for anyone sensible to be wandering around on. There is - alas and hurray; a LOT more to this story, but I'm already long here. The photo below is typical of the material I sent to the U of M; you can see the very straight fractures, and some of the "figure" in the stone that looks like possible fossil origins. Pretty sure this is mostly sediment from those shallow seas, including plant and animal parts - consolidated as Geology loves to do, in ways not explained to us. Sorry for the hand- but one thing that is a real problem for me is that stark white is very hard to photograph so any detail comes through. Gotta take what I can get. Those of you wanting to tell me I'm a complete idiot, please do. I'm used to it. :-) And, I'm not. After a 1,000 year flooding rain (we've had 2 more since...) I noticed a glaringly white something halfway up a hill- where no such thing should be. I discovered to my astonishment that it was a stone- about 30 cm cubic, but not regularly cubic. This was after living on this land for 40 years, tilling, building a house with stone collected from the dry-run drainages - even learning to quarry the common Oneota dolostone. I knew a fair amount about stone and geology (first wife was an ABD PhD Geologist...) and this white stone was just totally not like the dolostone or sandstone that every farmer here recognizes. Not. Heavy- and hard as the dickens; my first guess was I'd tripped on an oddball pocket of dolomitic marble - something known to happen elsewhere. I sent two fist-sized samples to the University of Minnesota expert on this exact region; he ran his X-ray fluourescence test on it- and announced I had - chert - 95% pure SiO2. It isn't chert, with which I am well familiar - that nice conchoidal fracture- is entirely missing in the white stone, replaced by repeating fracture and form that is distinctly rhombohedral. MOS hardness - 7.2. Sure isn't anything from the carbonates world. But - known geology below; Oneota dolostone; and above; New Richmond sandstone - are both reasonably well studied and characterized, and a pure silicate layer, which after 3 years and one broken wrist of surveying I estimate as varying from 3 m to 8 m thick - is just not mentioned anywhere. My 7 year educated guess is that the silicate is IN the unconformity known to lie between the Oneota and the New Richmond. Ain't that interesting? The photo is a sample like the ones sent to U of M - note the very straight fractures - More to follow! Sorry for the Hand - this stuff is very hard to photograph, being blinding white - getting detail visible means taking what I can get as I learn.

Found what looks like a shark tooth in a layered creek gorge in Montgomery County NY. This was found up- creek from limestone and dolomite creek bed. Layers of rock containing fossils and separated by thin shale layers. The thicker layers of rock have high concentrations of brachiopods, trilobites and other Ordovician era fossils. This fossil does not appear to belong here.

DPS Ammonite - many thanks all around- the article link is greatly appreciated; that one had never surfaced for me. Their description of chert in the Oneota agrees with my own; there is an abundance of oolitic chert, as well as other oolites. They refer to bands of chert some meters thick- that's new to my info, and I wanna see them. :-) This quote from that paper: "The Oneota conformably overlies the Potosi Dolomite and conformably underlies the Shakopee Dolomite except in northwesternmost Indiana " - is sadly typical of my experience in trying to dig out info here. All my references assure me that here the Oneota unconromably overlays the Jordan sandstone- my well records show that in fact - and is overlain unconformably here by the New Richmond sandstone, and north a bit unconformably by the St Peter sandstone - and further north something else. This paper is nearly the only work on the New Richmond in this area; good work, too: https://www.carleton.edu/departments/geol/Resources/comps/CompsPDFfiles/2005/Robins2005.pdf She examined several near by exposures- and found no silicate layers between New Richmond and Oneota - Puzzles remain. :-)