Wrangellian Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 (edited) Had a few nice days in a row here on Vancouver Island, so, since I was itching to go fossiling (havent been out since I dunno when last year), I went up to see what I could see. This will give you an idea of what I go thru to get stuff out of that miserable Cowichan Valley Haslam shale. Day 1: After a few hours of only small finds, I found a possibly complete (Hypo?)phylloceras ammonite at the last minuite, about a minute or 2 after sunset as I mentioned in another thread. I knew I would have to come back for it the next day (the day I took this pic) because there was no way it was coming out intact within the few minutes of light I had left. Day 2: Extraction. Add glue into cracks around fossil (not on fossil itself): Hammer, chisel, screwdriver to isolate it into a pedestal, and carefully pry it off: This does not always go as planned - many times I have still broken things at this point, after all that work ( I guess because I can't get any glue directly underneath it, just around the edges). Bagged but not yet tagged: Day 3: Found another Hauericeras. Again it was found too late to get it out with some matrix, and trying to just pry it up without matrix is risky too as pieces often fall off, but in retrospect that might have been the easier route. I guess I didn't get a 'before' shot of it, so here it is most of the way into the pedestal process on Day 4: It's got a kind of concretion 'blob' partly covering it, but it should look good underneath that if I can ever get it prepped (or do it myself someday if I ever get the equipment). Edited January 30, 2014 by Wrangellian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrangellian Posted January 30, 2014 Author Share Posted January 30, 2014 (edited) Continued... More gluing shortly before prying it up: I still lose more matrix than I originally wanted, doing it this way, but, oh well.. I don't remember if it was Day 3 or Day 4, but while working on the Hauericeras I glance up, and about 10' away spot something round on the face of this chunk: Maybe an echinoid?.... Nope - Damesites ammonite (similar to a Hauericeras but smaller): Anna's hummingbird: It's good to have distractions, though - I need to take breaks now and then! These guys are cheeky - shortly after I took these pics, he zoomed right by me and I turned around just in time to catch a glimpse of his gleaming rose-red head in the sunlight as he hovered by a broom bush before he shot off down the hill. Anyway I've gotten better pics of these at home, where we have feeders up. I was determined not to have to come back up here for the 5th day in a row, so I had to buckle down. Long story short, I managed to get these both out just in time, plus a Glyptostrobus frond uncovered during isolation of the Damesites (sorry, no pic) - it was nearly dark when I finally got in the car. Took 3 separate trips to bring these 3 large chunks back to the car in my baby buggy because only one would fit at a time. In the 3rd trip back to the pile I almost couldn't see well enough to tell if I had forgotten anything. Fog gathering on the shady/ocean side of the mtn on the way back to car: I am not in the habit of taking pics and posting reports, it's kind of laborious, so I hope you all enjoy. Edited January 30, 2014 by Wrangellian 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triops808 Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 Thank you Wrangellian, I really did enjoy your report and ammonite findings! The interlude with the little bird was a nice touch in the narrative. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shamalama Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 Very nice job of explaining what you are doing and finding. A lot of work but the rewards should be worth it! -Dave __________________________________________________ Geologists on the whole are inconsistent drivers. When a roadcut presents itself, they tend to lurch and weave. To them, the roadcut is a portal, a fragment of a regional story, a proscenium arch that leads their imaginations into the earth and through the surrounding terrain. - John McPheeIf I'm going to drive safely, I can't do geology. - John McPheeCheck out my Blog for more fossils I've found: http://viewsofthemahantango.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PFOOLEY Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 Good stuff Wrangellian! From your excellent photos, it does look like "a few nice days in a row". Great finds. "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...
Wrangellian Posted January 30, 2014 Author Share Posted January 30, 2014 Thanks all... I guess if I didn't think the fossils were worth it I wouldn't do it, but on the other hand I need the exercise. And the weather is rarely that good in January! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ludwigia Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Thanks for the report. It's nice to get some insight into your activity. Nice pic of the humming bird. I've only seen them hovering or zooming by, but never sitting still. Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger http://www.steinkern.de/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrangellian Posted January 31, 2014 Author Share Posted January 31, 2014 Thanks for the report. It's nice to get some insight into your activity. Nice pic of the humming bird. I've only seen them hovering or zooming by, but never sitting still. Thanks, It helps if you have a feeder [i know you're in Europe] but if I stand still enough next to the feeder they will come and I can get a look at them up close and personal! Never had one land on my finger yet, though - that must take a lot of patience... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ludwigia Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 When I lived in Ontario one used to visit the planter box on the balcony quite regularly, but he never landed. Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger http://www.steinkern.de/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Thanks for the great report and pics, Eric! I appreciate how much time it takes to do one of these, so - just know we appreciate it. Regards, Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrangellian Posted February 1, 2014 Author Share Posted February 1, 2014 Thanks Tim. I guess you have a similar job with your shale - Wouldn't it be nice if it all split like the WY Eocene stuff? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrangellian Posted February 1, 2014 Author Share Posted February 1, 2014 When I lived in Ontario one used to visit the planter box on the balcony quite regularly, but he never landed. They don't generally land unless they can reach their drink while sitting, and that's not usually the case with flowers in a planter..? Then they'll go up in a tree or bush somewhere to sit, in a preferred spot where they can keep an eye on everything. I think the only way to get them to land on your finger is if you're holding a capful of nectar! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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