The day I went fishing for fossils (part IV)

[Denis Arcand]

Fishing for fossils might sound like a strange hobby, but I've discovered that it's the perfect combination of relaxation and excitement. Instead of reeling in fish, I'm reeling in ancient fossils from the Richelieu river. And while I might not have any fish tales to tell, I do have some great stories about my fossil-hunting adventures. It might not be the most conventional hobby, but it's certainly a fun one. And the best part? No fishing license required! 

 

The Lorraine Group is known for its abundance of fossils, which provides valuable information about the region's past environments and evolution. The fossils found in the Lorraine Group are mainly marine invertebrates, such as brachiopods, trilobites, bryozoans, crinoids, and gastropods. It is a geologic formation in the Canadian province of Quebec. It is part of the St. Lawrence Platform, which is a large region of sedimentary rocks that underlies much of eastern North America. 

 

The erosion of these formations over time creates a variety of rocks with different mineralogical characteristics, which can be found on the beaches in the area. The Lorraine Group is an important source of geological information about the history of the St. Lawrence Platform and the tectonic events that shaped it.

 

 

 

These fossils, including crinoid and sowerbyella, offer a glimpse into the rich biodiversity of the area during the Ordovician period, and are estimated to be around 450 million years old. 

 

 

I had spent times meticulously photographing this sowerbyella I had found from the Richelieu river. When I finally found the perfect shot, I snapped the picture with satisfaction. But it wasn't until later, after I had added the picture to The Fossils Forum, that I noticed something small and unexpected in the upper right corner of the image. Upon closer inspection, I realized that two tiny gastropods had photobombed my perfect shot! These little intruders are a fun and quirky addition to the photo, and it gave me a great story to tell. After all, when you're fishing for fossils, you never know what unexpected surprises you might find along the way.

 

 

I stumbled upon the remains of a previous campfire. As I looked closer, I noticed something white sticking out of the dark ash and debris - it was a coupe of bleached fossils!

 

 

The colors and patterns of the fossils are truly beautiful, and provide a glimpse into the rich biodiversity of the area during the Ordovician period. I feel fortunate to have found these fossils and to be able to share them with you.

 

 

 

I have a funny story to share about the day I took this picture, I was so focused on capturing the perfect shot of a crinoid fossil that I didn't notice the waves getting closer and closer. Suddenly, a wave came splashing on my running shoes, soaking my feet completely! Although it was a bit uncomfortable, I couldn't help but laugh at myself for getting so absorbed in my photography that I didn't even realize I was getting my feet wet. 

 

 

Despite getting my feet wet, I was determined to capture the stunning colors and patterns of these fossils,

 

 

The diverse composition of the Lorraine Group's formations, with the Nicolet Formation being siliceous and the Pontgravé Formation being carbonate-rich, can explain the variety of rocks found on the beaches in the area. The erosion of these formations over time results in a mix of sediments with different mineralogical characteristics, creating a range of textures and colors in the rocks.

 

 

 

These pictures were taken at the beginning of spring, after the winter erosion caused by ice and water waves, which creates a new harvest of fossils that are ready to be collected, with no preparation necessary. 

 

 

 

 

I found some really cool fossils! I was crouching down to take pictures of them when I noticed some other people walking by and giving me curious looks. I got a little self-conscious, but I decided to smile and explain to them that I was just taking pictures of the fossils. To my surprise, they seemed interested and even came over to take a closer look with me. We ended up having a nice conversation about the Lorraine Group formation and the abundance of fossils in the area.

 

It was really cool to connect with some strangers over a shared interest, and I'm glad I didn't let my initial self-consciousness stop me from taking a closer look at those fossils!

 

 

When I take pictures of fossils in bubbling water, it's a really exciting and fun experience. The water creates these amazing patterns and textures around the fossil, making the whole image really dynamic and cool to look at. But it's not always easy! Sometimes the water creates glare or reflections that can be distracting and hard to deal with. And because the water is always moving, it can be tricky to get a good, clear shot of the fossil. Despite the challenges, getting a great photo of a fossil in bubbling water is really rewarding. The water creates a sense of movement and energy around the ancient remains, which makes the photo feel really alive and vibrant. To get the perfect shot, I usually try different camera settings and angles until I find what works best. I'll use a polarizing filter to cut down on glare and improve clarity, and I'll often use a tripod and a slower shutter speed to capture the motion of the water while still keeping the fossil in sharp focus.

 

 

The fossils that I've discovered are estimated to be around 450 million years old, and have been preserved in amazing detail. It's experiences like these that make me appreciate the beauty and power of nature even more.

 

 

As someone who combines my passion for photography and fossil collecting, I was delighted to capture the stunning colors and patterns of these fossils.

 

 

 

I had been carefully photographing some beautiful crinoid segments that I had found while fishing for fossils in the Richelieu river. I had finally found the perfect angle, when suddenly something appeared in my frame. It was a white feather that had drifted into the shot, obscuring part of my subject. At first, I was frustrated that my perfect shot had been ruined by this unexpected intruder. But then, I took a step back and looked at the composition as a whole. I realized that the feather actually added an interesting element to the photo, creating a sense of movement and adding a touch of whimsy. So instead of deleting the photo or trying to edit out the feather, I decided to keep it in the shot, embracing the unexpected twist that nature had thrown my way. And in the end, the photo was even more appealing and unique because of it.

 

 

Despite the mishap, I managed to capture some stunning pictures of the fossils, including this sowerbyella, which I'm thrilled to share with you.

 

 

The abundance of fossils in the Lorraine Group is a testament to the richness of marine life that existed in the region during the Paleozoic era. These fossils have contributed greatly to our understanding of the geological history of eastern North America and continue to be a valuable resource for scientists studying the evolution of life on Earth.

 

 

To end my day, I couldn't resist capturing theses naturally formed ice sculptures in water , they can be incredibly appealing because they represent a unique and fleeting moment in time. These sculptures are created by the forces of nature, as water and ice interact in complex ways to form stunning and intricate shapes. Each sculpture is completely unique, shaped by the specific conditions of the water and the temperature at the time it was formed. This means that no two sculptures are ever exactly alike, making them a true work of art created by the natural world. Additionally, the way that light interacts with the ice can create a stunning visual effect, with the ice taking on a glittering and iridescent appearance that is truly mesmerizing to behold. Overall, naturally formed ice sculptures in water represent a beautiful and awe-inspiring aspect of the natural world, one that is both visually stunning and endlessly fascinating to explore.

 

 

 

 

 

For more information about my hunting site, look at my previous post which took place during winter and autumn :

 

The day I went fishing for fossils (part I) (winter)
The day I went fishing for fossils (part II) (winter)

The day I went fishing for fossils (part III) (autumn)

The day I went fishing for fossils (part IV) (spring)

 

Happy Fishing!

Edited April 11, 2023 by Denis Arcand

[Coco]

Hi,

 

Your pics are marvelous !

 

Coco

[RJB]

Great pics!

 

RB

[Denis Arcand]

Thanks @Coco and @RJB,  your comments are greatly appreciated

 

For other fossil enthusiasts, If you find my post and pictures to be as fascinating as I do, please give me a virtual high-five by leaving a comment or sending a message. And if you don't like my post and pictures, well, I hear that T-Rex was a harsh critic too! All jokes aside, I always appreciate feedback from fellow fossil enthusiasts, so please don't hesitate to share your thoughts."

Edited April 11, 2023 by Denis Arcand

[Harry Pristis]

For orientation, here is the St. Lawrence Platform and the Lorraine Group outcrops in the USA.  Comparing the two illustrations seems to place the Lorraine Group in the "Post-Trenton siliclastic rocks" in the St. Lawrence Platform.

[Fossildude19]

Lovely, artistic shots!
Thanks for posting them.

[Denis Arcand]

4 hours ago, Harry Pristis said:

For orientation, here is the St. Lawrence Platform and the Lorraine Group outcrops in the USA.  Comparing the two illustrations seems to place the Lorraine Group in the "Post-Trenton siliclastic rocks" in the St. Lawrence Platform.

 

Thanks @Harry Pristis,  just wanted to give you a big thank you for sharing that stratigraphy map of my fossil hunting area. I mean, I could have tried to draw my own map, but let's face it, my artistic skills are more suited for cave paintings than accurate geological depictions. Thanks for saving me the embarrassment of a lousy map and for helping all of us paleontologists find some sweet fossils.

[Denis Arcand]

4 hours ago, Fossildude19 said:

Lovely, artistic shots!
Thanks for posting them.

 

My pleasure @Fossildude19,

 

 

Just want everyone to know that all of the pictures I'm posting on The Fossils Forum are totally free and available for anyone to use. That's right, no copyright restrictions, no fees, no shady deals with the fossil mafia. So, if you're looking for some high-res pictures to jazz up your website, impress your students, or just admire on your own time, don't be shy! Shoot me a message and I'll hook you up with the goods. I'm not a professional photographer or anything, but I like to think I've got an eye for capturing these ancient critters in their best light . 

 

 Let's spread the love  of fossils far and wide, and have some fun along the way

 

[digit]

Several of the members on this forum also share a passion for photography of the natural world. I'm happy to include you as one of my personal pantheon of photographers here who have demonstrated an adeptness in illustrating their trip reports with such wonderful eye candy that it vicariously transports us along side you in the field. Kudos!

 

 

Cheers.

 

-Ken