Stratford Hall On The Potomac

[KYAL]

Next weekend I will be going on a hunt at Stratford Hall on the Potomac. I have several questions about these hunts. What is the best strategy? Should I depend upon just spotting things by eye? Should I sift? I have a small 1/4 inch mesh sifter and a larger 1/2 inch mesh sifter. I also have the type of handled sifter popularly used around Venice Beach, FL. Also I am trying to understand the source of the fossils. Down around Venice Beach the fossils are washed up from offshore deposits. I get the impression that on the Potomac the fossils originate in the cliffs and are washed down with receding tides. Is this correct? Any hints will be most welcome. Thank you!!

Al

[jcbshark]

I can't help with your questions Al but good luck!

[Auspex]

The trick on Stratford Hall property is to secure permission, and then expect to be challenged by the patrols. They vigorously enforce against trespass.

[KYAL]

Thanks Jeff! I have been anxious to get out and hunt since Florida. Hope to get back down to Florida again too!!! Also waiting to see more of your great finds posted.

[KYAL]

Auspex - I am going on a sanctioned hunt with the Mid-Atlantic Fossil and Nature Adventures.

[Auspex]

I was hoping that was the case

I would leave the sieve at home, and ruin my lower back searching any exposed gravel, and the surf-line where there is no gravel.

A small plastic shrub rake (long handled) might come in real handy, too, in both gravel and surf-edge applications.

Have a blast!!!

[KYAL]

Thanks Auspex! By the way what do you mean by a small (long handled) shrub rake?

[Auspex]

Thanks Auspex! By the way what do you mean by a small (long handled) shrub rake?

It's like an 8" wide leaf rake. I like the plastic ones: LINK

[jcbshark]

Let me know next time you're in town, I'd be happy to hunt with you again

[MarcoSr]

Auspex - I am going on a sanctioned hunt with the Mid-Atlantic Fossil and Nature Adventures.

Do not dig in the cliffs. That is not permitted even on sanctioned hunts. The Calvert Marine Museum has permission to find and excavate specimens from the cliffs. Do not trespass on Stratford Harbour property which is downriver from Stratford Hall (Don't go past the Point which has the last "no trespassing" signs). I've had to escort more than once trespassers from the Mid-Atlantic trips back to Stratford Hall. You will sign a liability waiver for Stratford Hall but that doesn't protect our community if you trespass and get hurt.

Marco Sr.

[KYAL]

Thanks Jeff, I'll be looking forward to it

[RickNC]

Do not dig in the cliffs. That is not permitted even on sanctioned hunts. The Calvert Marine Museum has permission to find and excavate specimens from the cliffs. Do not trespass on Stratford Harbour property which is downriver from Stratford Hall (Don't go past the Point which has the last "no trespassing" signs). I've had to escort more than once trespassers from the Mid-Atlantic trips back to Stratford Hall. You will sign a liability waiver for Stratford Hall but that doesn't protect our community if you trespass and get hurt.

Marco Sr.

These are sanctioned hunts with a group. I am pretty sure they will let them know where they can and cannot go.

[MarcoSr]

These are sanctioned hunts with a group. I am pretty sure they will let them know where they can and cannot go.

You are commenting on a very sore subject with me and your comments are not well received. I could fill a page with issues not only with my community but also with others along the Potomac but I'm restraining myself. Let me restate part of my previous post "I've had to escort more than once trespassers from the Mid-Atlantic trips back to Stratford Hall." I am speaking from direct personal experience on this and have direct personal experience with other issues. When you are getting paid for guiding trips you have a responsibility to ensure those on your trip obey the law period.

Marco Sr.

[JMUFossil]

Have fun and happy hunting KYAL!!!

[CrocodileJen]

I know you are there right now (happy hunting) but am going to respond JIC you check the forum tonight. I did this hunt last year and found lots of interesting fossils.

http://www.thefossilforum.com/index.php?/topic/38056-miocene-weekend/

I will also say that the organizers are VERY clear when explaining about the search boundaries, not to dig in cliffs, etc. The problem is apparently not everyone listens (although the weekend I went there were no problems and everyone followed the rules).

The lowest tides for you this weekend will be each day when you arrive. That would be the best time to search the beach. I was the first to walk almost the whole length of the beach at high tide one morning and it yielded very little.

This is also the best time to search in the water just below the low tide line for megs. I saw two friends scrape with a shovel along the shore just under the water and they EACH got a meg. The clay settles there along with good stuff.

If you see any fresh falls from the cliffs you may find some interesting things. Our tour group found a fallen bed of Chesapectins and everyone got one.

The most interesting fossils I got that weekend were from sifting, but that was also party because the tide was not on our side. I learned to examine every shiny black thing and not dismiss it as whale bone.

Also, you may have something good and not know it , so save everything! My Dad gave away a sizeable shark vertebrae he found there not realizing what he had (thought it was whale vert and we had a couple already). That still bothers me

Have fun! Can't wait to hear.

Edited September 6, 2014 by CrocodileJen

[espeton]

Hi Kyal,

How was the trip? I was thinking to sign for this trip but then I decided to change it for a fishing weekend in NJ.

[KYAL]

Thanks all for the good wishes! The trip has come and gone. Riding out during the 9.5 hour drive I had visions of croc teeth, meg teeth, etc. dancing through my head. There were some great finds made over the weekend. I saw a beautiful whole croc tooth and heard of others. I saw several nice makos and smaller megs. There were some nice pieces of whale/porpoise bone with articulations, several nice epiphyses. The first day the water was calm and clear. A front came in overnight and the second day the water was murky and very choppy. I tried the first day by just walking along and eyeballing. I didn't find a single tooth. People were picking up teeth all around me. I had several circle an area and I could spot the tooth just fine. Just couldn't find any on my own. The second day I brought down my screen and shovel and then was at least successful at finding some teeth. Twice, while sifting, one woman picked up nice makos just feet away from where I was sifting. Anyway my finds follow.

Wondering if those are two vertebrae and if so from what.

Also welcome any IDs on the teeth. The last one in second row I assume is tiger shark.

Edited September 9, 2014 by KYAL

[KYAL]

Several views of unknown bone. Hollowness suggests bird but ideas are welcome. Also wondering if that groove in third picture is a predation mark.

[KYAL]

I am assuming this is a piece of whale rib?

[KYAL]

Someone thought the first bone was part of a dolphin rostrum??

The second is possibly part of a fish skull??

[KYAL]

More whale/porpoise bone pieces??

[jcbshark]

Congrats on a successful hunt Al

[KYAL]

Thanks Jeff

[Metopocetus]

Someone thought the first bone was part of a dolphin rostrum??

The second is possibly part of a fish skull??

First one is possibly part of a baleen whale lower jaw.

I think the second one is a really worn croc tooth. It appears to have a conical shape and the texture is about right.

[KYAL]

Metopocetus - I have added two side views and a back view of the "worn croc tooth" to see if you still think that's what it might be. A croc tooth trumps a piece of fish skull !!