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Keystone Fossil Hunt


KansasFossilHunter

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NOTE: I have many pictures from this hunt and lots of information- It may take me awhile to get it all together, so be patient :)

Went out Friday with my dad to do some hunting with Chuck out at the keysone gallery. (they don't give public fossil hunts any longer) and managed to get some sunset pictures out at monument rocks..

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Nighttime at Scott Lake (where we stayed)

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Sunrise on Saturday

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Ready for Fossils!

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First off, my dad and I each found rudists (Durania maxima) which are modified clams that sat on the bottom of the ocean 83 million years ago..

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We also found a pearl from one of the giant (4 foot) Inoceramid clams

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We were also lucky enough to find a fish in clam! This was very cool, because we were hunting higher in the strata than we usually do. ( It may in fact be a new species!) I dont recognise it being anything common - too big for a Kansus or Omasoma, might be an apsopelix, but the fins are wrong... something to look into

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I have been searching for some of the rare Uintacrinus socialis floating crynoids- and finaly found some!

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My dad and I found the same Protosphyraena at the same time. Since I had one nicer than it already, we traded it to Chuck for some of the biggest Xiphactinus vertabrae I have EVER seen!

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We also found a very amazing something.... I'll Post it after I clean it up some more... stay tuned.. ;) You'll love it.

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Mystery bone... Any Ideas? anybody?

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Edited by KansasFossilHunter
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The Uintacrinus plate is awesome, and what more can I say about the giant pearl?!

What a fabulous trip :fistbump:

"There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant

“Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley

>Paleontology is an evolving science.

>May your wonders never cease!

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Not the big thing yet...

But- A MOSASAUR! or at least some ribs and paddle elements. I dug forever looking for vertabrae after finding about 80 rib fragments on a hill. Only found one more rib and those few paddle pieces. Plus, a bonus squalicorax tooth mixed in with the ribs. (explains the scavenged nature).

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there are numerous bite marks and what look like muscle scars? if anybody is interested I can photograph closer...

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if you find a ptychodus jaw that is my dream!!!!!!!!!! :))))

Your dream came true...

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killer productive hunt! chuck and barbara's good people.

Grüße,

Daniel A. Wöhr aus Südtexas

"To the motivated go the spoils."

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Here it is: A Ptychodus mortoni mouth plate!

with over 120 teeth!! I about died with excitement when I saw it!

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After some experimenting with clay to hold the loose teeth...

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More work with the Xiphactinus

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Compared to a smaller Xiphactinus vert.

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Wow- just awesome! Photos and fossils both! I'm in awe...

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

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Looks like you had an outstanding hunt. Love those ptychodus.

Ramo

For one species to mourn the death of another is a new thing under the sun.
-Aldo Leopold
 

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That is so sweet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nice find!!!!! How big are the biggest teeth? DOwn here in Tx that's nearly impossible to find except there were 4 found in TXI.

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Thanks :)

The teeth are smaller than average, but about full grown. Maybe 1.5-2 cm as the biggest. On many specimens- some of the teeth are worn- but not with this one. The smallest could fit 2-3 on a dime.

Edited by KansasFossilHunter
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I want a jaw like you not a big one that I have to carry out in a 200 lb. rock. :P

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WOW, crinoids and a ptychodus dentition!!!! 2 killer finds that have eluded me so far! Congrats.

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