bluepickup Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 I went out today with little expectations because of the snow. Nothing I found was real spectacular, but I had a real good time. I stopped three places that were somewhat free of the snow. 1st stop.... There were a few open spaces like these and there in, some crinoid stems and also this rugose coral. 2nd stop..... Kinda steep here but still enjoyable. I split a few rocks. Sometimes they split nicely, and you never know whats inside. Here it's a spirifer. The rubble on the slopes was pretty dense and it was hard to spot the fossils. There are two sprifers in this photo, although not real good ones. 3rd stop.... This was a nice place. I didn't stay long and think I'll return here. In the limestone cliffs here I found this spirifer Good luck on your trips! bp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masonboro37 Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 Nice brachiopods! Enjoyed your pic's and report. Process of identification "mistakes create wisdom". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caldigger Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 Kinda makes you want to plan a trip to NM (except for the snow part). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missourian Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 I think I may have hunted the same stuff during a trip last year: http://www.thefossilforum.com/index.php?/topic/30166-a-new-mexican-backyard-trip/ The weather was a little nicer, though. Context is critical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fossilcrazy Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 (edited) New Mexico - New York, looks like the same weather: light snow and cold. You folks are some diehard collectors. I love fossil hunting too, but the really cold weather takes the fun right out of it. Occasionally I try to dress in layers and tell myself if I work hard enough I'll stay warm; but then I get caught up in thoughts of how much nicer it was in good weather and why am I doing this now. Those that don't collect now, prepare and curate their newly found fossil collection. Happy Hunting! Hope you get rewarded for your stamina. Edited December 9, 2013 by fossilcrazy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erose Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 New Mexico - New York, looks like the same weather: light snow and cold. You folks are some diehard collectors. I love fossil hunting too, but the really cold weather takes the fun right out of it. Occasionally I try to dress in layers and tell myself if I work hard enough I'll stay warm; but then I get caught up in thoughts of how much nicer it was in good weather and why am I doing this now. Those that don't collect now, prepare and curate their newly found fossil collection. Happy Hunting! Hope you get rewarded for your stamina. Ha! I would go out to some New York sites closer to the Catskills in the winter and remember seeing beautiful loose specimens FROZEN SOLID TO THE GROUND! Winter is for cataloging and identifying by the fire with a nice hot totty. Now that I'm in Texas it's all backwards and I do that in August with a cold beverage of my choice... New Mexico just seems to be always beautiful. Thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Siphuncle Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 I did a little winter collecting with jgcox in the Ordovician exposures surrounding Cincinnati over Thanksgiving. Cold but rewarding. I'm just glad that I didn't have to use my hot breath this time to free the fossils from the frozen ground (as I've done before). Texas was biting cold over the weekend as well, but the fossils were still out sunning themselves... Grüße, Daniel A. Wöhr aus Südtexas "To the motivated go the spoils." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluepickup Posted December 11, 2013 Author Share Posted December 11, 2013 Masonboro....Thanks. I find it nearly as enjoyable to go through my photos of the day and make a post as it is to go out and hunt. Caldigger.....There really isn't much snow here comparatively, some years hardly any. By all means come to New Mexico! ( Fall is best). Missourian....Thank you for that thread link. I had read it before, but I realize now it gives me insight to what I am finding in this area. Where you were at Paako is a several miles due north of where my photos were taken, but the same formations I think. fossilcrazy.....Really it was just a bit of snow and not very cold. The winds were slight and that makes a lot of difference. erose..... I agree, in the southwest summer can be so hot. I used to be able to go out no matter how hot, but now (old) I like to stay in and have a drink after a sail on the lake. danwoher..... I wish I knew more about the geology and strata of where I'm at when hunting. With time I'll learn more I'm sure. The winter here is actually pretty nice. In the summer, besides the heat, there are some black gnats( a lot) that can be overwhelming. Thank you all for your comments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PFOOLEY Posted December 11, 2013 Share Posted December 11, 2013 Hey BP, great report. Excellent photos of your collecting area. Nothing like searching through "windows" of snow free ground in search of fossils. Been there before. There is a spot (road cut), which I have only heard about, where trilobites have been found. Wouldn't that be fun? Best of luck, I look forward to your future adventures. "I am glad I shall never be young without wild country to be young in. Of what avail are forty freedoms without a blank spot on the map?" ~Aldo Leopold (1887-1948) New Mexico Museum of Natural History Bulletins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PennyT. Posted December 13, 2013 Share Posted December 13, 2013 Fossiling in the snow, ah,yes, this is an addicting pursuit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Rick Posted December 13, 2013 Share Posted December 13, 2013 New Mexico is fantastic - I was there for a while, years back .... I would love to go to collect ... I'm sure there's plenty to discover !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrangellian Posted December 16, 2013 Share Posted December 16, 2013 There's something romantic about snow in the desert I think.. Not bad fossils considering the ground cover! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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