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A Dream Come True: Midlothian Quarry Hunt


Nandomas

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10 Years? 15 Years? I do not remember how old was my dream to hunt one of the Midlothian quarries. At that time there were not info on the web, all my contacts were made by regular mail. The field trips leaders at DPS, PSoA e at HGMS were very friendly, assuring me the access to the quarries if my schedule would match with the paleoclubs field trips dates... but that never happened... until the other day, when Diana and I were stuck somewhere South of the Fannin co, waiting for a mechanic duty to our truck.

We were very bored, so we went to the local Staples office supplies for "borrowing" the internet line. What a surprise :o :o :o . The TFF monthly reports king Dan Woehr :thumbsu: emailed me about the chances to join The Houston paleoclubs in a Midlothian hunt, and, magically, the dream come true. The boring morning turned out a day full of euphoria

:P:D :D

Thanks MikeD and Creekcrawler, your courtesy and kindness made our day. The chance to meet personally other TFF icons, like Roz & Lance, Dinodigger, Silverphoenix and TroyB was the icing on the cake.

What I found? Who cares :ninja::wacko: . The important thing is to meet new friends and do new exciting fossil experiences :wub:

Photo title: Trying to match MikeD avatar :)

post-1112-0-74728200-1350880720_thumb.jpg

Edited by Nandomas

Erosion... will be my epitaph!

http://www.paleonature.org/

https://fossilnews.org/

 

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I remember hunting the Midlothian quarries back in the early days when all a person had to do was sign a release form to gain access. All sorts of fond memories of abundant shark teeth (especially Ptychodus) and the occasional death assemblage of tiny fish skeletons come to mind.

It must have been fun meeting so many TFF members out there. Hopefully you had a successful outing!

-Joe

Illigitimati non carborundum

Fruitbat's PDF Library

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I missed everyone this time as I had a photo shoot to do :(. Maybe next time. Glad you all had fun!

Fossils are simply one of the coolest things on earth--discovering them is just marvelous! Makes you all giddy inside!

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thank mike and the boys... i just passed their magnanimous hospitality on to you. your help nando has expanded my collection in new and wonderful directions that i couldn't have orchestrated on my own in countries where i barely speak the language. so thank YOU!

Grüße,

Daniel A. Wöhr aus Südtexas

"To the motivated go the spoils."

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It was great meeting you and Diane! Thanks to Mike D. with the HGMS! He's the host with the most

for making this opportunity possible.. I didn't find any fossils this time but Barry was generous enough to

lead me to some very nice pyrite chunks. I loved seeing his tooth.. fantastic! It was good seeing people I

have met and hunted with and so very good to meet Dinodigger! I wish we would have had time to talk

longer.. I would have loved to hear about your Permian adventures! When a group is hunting in a quarry

it's like a bird cage has been opened and we all go flying in different directions.. :D

Lyla, I had hoped to hunt with you.. Maybe this coming weekend if you are going where I think you might.. :ninja::)

Welcome to the forum!

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Lyla, I had hoped to hunt with you.. Maybe this coming weekend if you are going where I think you might.. :ninja::)

Awesome! Yeah we FINALLY get to catch up!!!

Fossils are simply one of the coolest things on earth--discovering them is just marvelous! Makes you all giddy inside!

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Awesome! Yeah we FINALLY get to catch up!!!

I haven't forgotten the treasures you sent along with the seeds.. It's your turn

now and I am bringing you a treasure that I know you don't have..

Welcome to the forum!

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I haven't forgotten the treasures you sent along with the seeds.. It's your turn

now and I am bringing you a treasure that I know you don't have..

:wub: Haha I only fit what could go in the envelope without looking too suspicious. Looking forward to it!

Fossils are simply one of the coolest things on earth--discovering them is just marvelous! Makes you all giddy inside!

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I have to add my comments as well as to the pleasure I had getting to meet so many forum members as well, and icons they are, I agree; legends of our own time in the field of paleontology. In no other profession do I know of in which two people can become great friends as they collect fossils side by side, and never say a word to each other. Only look up at the end of the day and seem to acknowledge to each other the experience they just shared. Professionals by all means who each bring their own expertise. And the kindness and generosity I experienced from this group is by far more professional than most I've worked with at any university or museum. Without folks like these, our knowledge of our Earth's history would be far less. The jovial comradery that exists between such a unique set of individuals; what a beautiful thing that creates this paleontologic fellowship. And I'm sure our buried beasts find some comfort hearing the kindness being passed around in our conversations as they reverberate through our footsteps while we quietly collect their remains. Midlothian was a perfect day; perfect trip. We paid hommage to the Upper Cretaceous and found some great stuff. I hope we can all get together again soon and do it again.

Chris

Edited by dinodigger
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It was great meeting you and Diane! ...I wish we would have had time to talk

longer.. I would have loved to hear about your Permian adventures! When a group is hunting in a quarry

it's like a bird cage has been opened and we all go flying in different directions.. :D

wow... a poet between us :P:D

I didn't see you in the quarry and I didn't find a lot... in my defense there is the fact that after a little more than an hour, I was DEPORTED to the pyrite place :( . Anyway next year we need to play at "Fossil Treasure Hunt" together :)

here other photos :)

Photo caption: Pampering fossils :)

post-1112-0-91233900-1350972895_thumb.jpg

post-1112-0-36585500-1350972898_thumb.jpg

Edited by Nandomas

Erosion... will be my epitaph!

http://www.paleonature.org/

https://fossilnews.org/

 

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I was DEPORTED to the pyrite place :( . Anyway next year we need to play at "Fossil Treasure Hunt" together :)

I stayed within the quarry (didn't go to the pyrite place) and found cool pyrite just as well last year. I used a bit of it to display fossils on top of them in the display cabinets and they look pretty good.

Fossils are simply one of the coolest things on earth--discovering them is just marvelous! Makes you all giddy inside!

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Hello Nando, it was great meeting you and Diane. It turns out that the supposed mosasaur tooth belongs to the X-fish"Xiphactinus".Rememmber Diane thought fish at first when I showed it to her. I am in the process of creating a nice matrix specimen with the piece.

Thanks again to Mike D for the invite, and it was great seeing everyone out there..

Now, back to crawlin this darned river :)

Edited by CreekCrawler
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I have to add my comments as well as to the pleasure I had getting to meet so many forum members as well, and icons they are, I agree; legends of our own time in the field of paleontology. In no other profession do I know of in which two people can become great friends as they collect fossils side by side, and never say a word to each other. Only look up at the end of the day and seem to acknowledge to each other the experience they just shared. Professionals by all means who each bring their own expertise. And the kindness and generosity I experienced from this group is by far more professional than most I've worked with at any university or museum. Without folks like these, our knowledge of our Earth's history would be far less. The jovial comradery that exists between such a unique set of individuals; what a beautiful thing that creates this paleontologic fellowship. And I'm sure our buried beasts find some comfort hearing the kindness being passed around in our conversations as they reverberate through our footsteps while we quietly collect their remains. Midlothian was a perfect day; perfect trip. We paid hommage to the Upper Cretaceous and found some great stuff. I hope we can all get together again soon and do it again.

Chris

Chris, you have really hit the target on this one.. You summed it up beautifully...

Welcome to the forum!

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Silverphoenix, I am so curious what was in those slabs you found! I hope you will post some pics..

Welcome to the forum!

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It was a great trip. dinodigger summed it up very well. A group of people get together, spread out over the hunting grounds, occasionally wind up hunting next to each other, catch up on things since we last met, wander around some more, you hear an occasional "whoop" or see someone doing the "dance", come back together to share our finds, say our goodbyes, and leave (sometimes in smaller groups to eat or hunt somewhere else).

I got to see some of my Texas friends that I usually only see out in the field and finally connected in person with Nando and Diana. It was a pleasure to be able to make their dream come true. It's strange how things line up sometimes. Thanks to Dan and Barry for acting as the conduits for the connection.

Edited by MikeD
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Sorry I missed the chance to meet you Nando. I need to change my avatar to reflect my new beard and grayer hair:) We need some kind of TFF flag to meet under after these big hunts. I was there with Dallas Paleo and had no idea so many TFF folks were there. That was a huge crowd, and very accomidating of Ash Grove to let us in and the escort and his family were nice folks.

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Sorry I missed the chance to meet you Nando. I need to change my avatar to reflect my new beard and grayer hair:) We need some kind of TFF flag to meet under after these big hunts. I was there with Dallas Paleo and had no idea so many TFF folks were there. That was a huge crowd, and very accomidating of Ash Grove to let us in and the escort and his family were nice folks.

I am sorry too, Bob. Were you in Glen Rose? A TFF cap could be very useful in those situations :)

Edited by Nandomas

Erosion... will be my epitaph!

http://www.paleonature.org/

https://fossilnews.org/

 

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I am sorry too, Bob. Were you in Glen Rose? A TFF cap could be very useful in those situations :)

No, I didn't go to Glen Rose. I tried to get there Friday night for Dr. Finsley's talk but barely made it to Ash Grove as it was. I almost wore my TFF t-shirt but since Dallas Paleo sells shirts too, I couldn't wear both, so...yeah a DPS shirt and a TFF hat shouldn't clash too much :)

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Hello Nando, it was great meeting you and Diane. It turns out that the supposed mosasaur tooth belongs to the X-fish"Xiphactinus".Rememmber Diane thought fish at first when I showed it to her. I am in the process of creating a nice matrix specimen with the piece.

Thanks again to Mike D for the invite, and it was great seeing everyone out there..

Now, back to crawlin this darned river :)

ops... overlooked this one.

Told Diana about the

Mosasaurus/Xiphactinus tooth and the answer was: Ve lo avevo detto io! :blink:B):D

Erosion... will be my epitaph!

http://www.paleonature.org/

https://fossilnews.org/

 

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