Rexofspades Posted August 23, 2023 Share Posted August 23, 2023 Hi Everybody, Last week, I decided to go to the cliffs for my birthday, and I resolved to get up earlier in the morning to get something I had not found before. My equipment was the standard loadout, sifter, shovel, waders, sunshirt and hat. Along with a one strap bag that I would wear for the 1st and last time. (The strap would slide in front of my chest and neck everytime I leaned over and ducked down. it also broke halfway through my hike) When I arrived I didn't find much to write home about save for a whole shark vert. But when I waded out into the decently clear water I managed to find a vert and a couple ribs. After a couple hours and a ton of smalls, the tide came up. I noticed how high it got and realized it would be a slog to wade back, so I elected to wait an hour before the long haul back. I noticed a bunch of wildlife while I was out, I saw frogs, a weaver spider, herons and a Bald eagle with some osprey. On my way back, I felt discouraged by how choppy the water was and the lack of stuff I was finding ( Pro tip: the choppy water will help you find more stuff after it passes). That and the strap falling off of my bag was annoying. But midway through my Slog, I saw it: out of the corner of my eye I saw something bluish Grey and bigger than a shell. "There's no way" I said as I leaned over and saw the fragment of a tooth bigger than any other I found so far. I was tired, exhausted, and shaking. But here it was, my White whale, the tooth I was looking for after 3 years in the palm of my hand. It just turned dark as I arrived to my car. I think I pushed past being tired. My gear was soaked, I was soaked, but I did it. I Finally got my Meg. Breakdown of the finds below: 297 specimens in total. Starting with teeth, I think this is Hammerhead. Next up is the Meg. Measures 1.74 on the diagonal. Which I estimate would be a 2 inch tooth if whole. I'm excited bc this tooth is unmistakably a megatooth, there's nothing else it could be! Rib bones, this one looks interesting to me bc there looks to be a possible blood vessel groove, and a dissension on the middle right. Could that be a muscle attachment scar? Longer rib Whale vert 1 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cris Posted August 23, 2023 Share Posted August 23, 2023 I can think of no better way to spend a birthday! Congratulations on the meg and all the other finds. There are few feelings better than that moment when you first see that elusive target fossil (or anything else) you've been searching for. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rexofspades Posted August 23, 2023 Author Share Posted August 23, 2023 37 minutes ago, Cris said: I can think of no better way to spend a birthday! Congratulations on the meg and all the other finds. There are few feelings better than that moment when you first see that elusive target fossil (or anything else) you've been searching for. Thank you, I'm still trying to wrap my head around it, but I'm glad to have finally gotten one. It felt Earned Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hemipristis Posted August 24, 2023 Share Posted August 24, 2023 Confirmed on the hammerhead. Not sure which species though 1 'Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.' George Santayana Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Rico Posted August 24, 2023 Share Posted August 24, 2023 Some fantastic finds congratulations . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPrice Posted August 24, 2023 Share Posted August 24, 2023 Congrats on another birthday! Great write up and pics. No kidding about a ton of smalls...you had your eyes peeled for sure. Having lived near the NC coast many years, there were lots of shark teeth found but your haul is awesome for one trip. A Meg tooth!?!? I have one my son recently 3D printed for me. Sigh...no real deal, yet. Big Congrats on that find! Stay safe out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fin Lover Posted August 24, 2023 Share Posted August 24, 2023 Happy birthday and congratulations on the meg! I remember how happy I was when I finally found what was definitely a meg (we also have angustidens here, and they always break at the cusp area, so you can't tell whether it's a meg or angy). Enjoy the feeling for a while...I think I rushed to set another higher goal instead of being happy about what I accomplished. 1 Fin Lover Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellseeker Posted August 24, 2023 Share Posted August 24, 2023 23 hours ago, Rexofspades said: Rib bones, this one looks interesting to me bc there looks to be a possible blood vessel groove, and a dissension on the middle right. Could that be a muscle attachment scar? Yes, take a look at Dolphin rib close to Backbone.... You might check out the similarity to the Vert you found in this thread... Happy Birthday... You got a bunch of presents... 1 The White Queen ".... in her youth she could believe "six impossible things before breakfast" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
automech Posted August 24, 2023 Share Posted August 24, 2023 Great job there! Father's day has become my annual thing on the Potomac side. I think I'll have to work in birthdays now, also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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