JimB88 Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 I know this doesn't count as a trip per se, but I recently ordered some shale from U-Dig (40lbs) and thought Id show what Ive found so far. Ive just gotten started and have been working through a large piece; however, I'm finding it hard to split as it is. So Ive put the majority outside to weather for a week or two (as they suggest) but I have found some trilo's already! Elrathia is of coarse the commonest. heres my biggest so far this is a smaller one that needs some cleaning a couple that popped off the matrix (one is very rough) heres some tiny ones that are round. I don't know if they are young Elrathia or a different genus I haven't had as much luck with the agnostids however but have found a couple partials and one upside down one I'll add to this post when the rest is ready to go through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 This is so cool! Like those 'dig your-own fossil' kits, but for grownups 1 "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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rejd Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 Nice finds so far. I just got my box last week but haven't had a lot of time to split it yet. A fossil hunter needs sharp eyes and a keen search image, a mental template that subconsciously evaluates everything he sees in his search for telltale clues. -Richard E. Leakey http://prehistoricalberta.lefora.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ludwigia Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 Nice ones! Looks like you've got your money's worth already! Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger http://www.steinkern.de/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 Awesome! Thanks for posting your finds to date, Jim. Looking forward to more cool stuff. Regards, Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 IPFOTM -- MAY - 2024 _________________________________________________________________________________ "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...
Plantguy Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 Hey Jim, looks like some real fun. Am curious, were any of those visible when you first got the material or are you literally splitting/hunting thru the material to find something? Looks real good so far. Regards, Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimB88 Posted November 9, 2014 Author Share Posted November 9, 2014 Hey Jim, looks like some real fun. Am curious, were any of those visible when you first got the material or are you literally splitting/hunting thru the material to find something? Looks real good so far. Regards, Chris some were visible but most were found by splitting the shale. They make sure at least one is visible when they get a box together; plus they also send one in a plastic baggie with a little card about the specie (I didnt photograph that one.) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squali Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 beep, beep, beep..... Honey, why is there a truck backing up the driveway? It's hard to remember why you drained the swamp when your surrounded by alligators. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plantguy Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 some were visible but most were found by splitting the shale. They make sure at least one is visible when they get a box together; plus they also send one in a plastic baggie with a little card about the specie (I didnt photograph that one.) Thanks Jim...have fun with em... Regards, Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chesapeeker Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 That sounds really...addictive...yeah, I'll be ordering some today. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shamalama Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 How much do they charge? Been awhile since I was last out there. -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...
Wrangellian Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 beep, beep, beep..... Honey, why is there a truck backing up the driveway? Yup! Thanks for posting, Jim.. Helps us to know what we might get if we order. I wonder what are the chances of finding something other than a trilo, like a Selkirkia or phyllocarid or chancelloriid or..... (Not that the bugs aren't cool and worth it on their own) I guess pretty small for 40lbs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullsnake Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 I wonder what are the chances of finding something other than a trilo, like a Selkirkia or phyllocarid or chancelloriid or..... (Not that the bugs aren't cool and worth it on their own) I guess pretty small for 40lbs A friend of mine visited the site and brought me a plate with a couple of bugs in it, and a handout sheet of potential other finds. It's packed away right now, but I remember a sponge being one of them. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrangellian Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 A friend of mine visited the site and brought me a plate with a couple of bugs in it, and a handout sheet of potential other finds. It's packed away right now, but I remember a sponge being one of them. That will be interesting.. I am familiar with many of the things from there but just wondering what the chances of finding any of them in 40lbs of material, does it say? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullsnake Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 That will be interesting.. I am familiar with many of the things from there but just wondering what the chances of finding any of them in 40lbs of material, does it say? No, I think it is just something they give the visitors to the quarry to watch out for. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
izak_ Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 Very nice specimens! All about trilobites there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 (edited) Very nice specimens! All about trilobites there? Yes, mostly trilobites, up to 6 different species, I believe. There are occasional other finds like sponges, brachiopods, and phyllocarids. See this LINK. For those interested LINK. Regards, Edited November 12, 2014 by Fossildude19 Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 IPFOTM -- MAY - 2024 _________________________________________________________________________________ "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...
crinoid1 Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 Gosh, I had no idea U-Dig did this! Awesome! I like crinoids...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimB88 Posted November 22, 2014 Author Share Posted November 22, 2014 some more stuff Ive been finding many pieces of the spine-like extensions of the sponge Choia utahensis these are usualy broken up or folded in half or otherwise bent. This pic doesnt show it but there are tiny bumps visible (with the loupe.) Ill take more pics when it gets a little warmer today. Still haven't found a big complete one yet...this one is a heart-breaker..so close.. this is a typical one missing one of its free cheeks here's an absolutely tiny one (about 1mm in length.) more in a bit.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrangellian Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 ...here's an absolutely tiny one (about 1mm in length.) tinyelrathia.jpg That one must be at least 2mm?? (Pretty good 'micro-photo' in any case!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimB88 Posted November 23, 2014 Author Share Posted November 23, 2014 That one must be at least 2mm?? (Pretty good 'micro-photo' in any case!) probably closer to 2, it was a guesstimate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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