KansasFossilHunter Posted April 17, 2015 Posted April 17, 2015 I've been heavily hunting numerous localities in both Gove and Logan counties. Here is one of those hunts: April 4th Fossil Hunt I was finally able (after several years) to gain landowner permission to hunt an exposure of upper Smoky Hill Chalk. The fauna and aspects of preservation are significantly different that those of the lower chalk. After a few hours I came across the familiar light-blueish bones that could only be those of a Pteranodon. I began to follow the bone back into the rock. Pteranodon bone is some of the most fragile and thin bone to be found in this formation. I tried to keep as much of the bone buried as possible (while trying to discern the extent). This was so the delicate work close to the bone could be done in the lab not in the field with a hammer. At this point I was unsure wether I wanted to take the specimen out in one block or in a plaster jacket. The chalk seemed reasonably stable. Then, near disaster! Thinking I was a sufficient distance from the main piece I suddenly struck another bone. This was totally unexpected as I thought I was only dealing with a single metacarpal. Luckily, I only grazed the tiniest of fragments from the piece. Cont.. 1
KansasFossilHunter Posted April 17, 2015 Author Posted April 17, 2015 Here is the extent of the discovery showing the unexpected bone (on the right side). I later learned this was the scapulocoracoid, which is in the shoulder area (basically where the wing attaches). Once in the prep lab I took extra care with the bones as they were some of the best quality I've ever seen. After some time, I also found out that the pteroid bone was present! This was exciting for me as this is a rather rare bone. I'll show a diagram here in bit.
MgTattooer86 Posted April 17, 2015 Posted April 17, 2015 Very cool. Definitely not something you see everyday. I'm doing the landowner dance myself right now... Congrats! If you show them a transitional, they'll ask for two more.
KansasFossilHunter Posted April 17, 2015 Author Posted April 17, 2015 During the prep, I made the decision to remove the scapulocoracoid: Those fragments to the left are those that had fallen down hill and the pieces in weak surface chalk.
KansasFossilHunter Posted April 17, 2015 Author Posted April 17, 2015 Here is the final product of hours of prep and preservation: -KansasFossilHunter (Kris)
Kosmoceras Posted April 17, 2015 Posted April 17, 2015 I always enjoy seeing your finds. The preservation is stunning, well done!
Xiphactinus Posted April 17, 2015 Posted April 17, 2015 Excellent, rare find and terrific prep. As always, well done!!
JohnJ Posted April 17, 2015 Posted April 17, 2015 Well done on securing the new site. Your skill in spotting bits of rare bone is just getting better. Thanks for the images and report. The human mind has the ability to believe anything is true. - JJ
Jeffrey P Posted April 17, 2015 Posted April 17, 2015 (edited) Definitely taking amateur paleontology to a new level. Congratulations Kris. Edited April 17, 2015 by Jeffrey P
Auspex Posted April 17, 2015 Posted April 17, 2015 Ckalk On, Kris! "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!
Fossildude19 Posted April 18, 2015 Posted April 18, 2015 Excellent find, and prep,Kris! Thanks for showing us. 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
DE&i Posted April 20, 2015 Posted April 20, 2015 Very nice Kris. Regards.....D&E&i The only certainty with fossil hunting is the uncertainty. https://lnk.bio/outfossiling
Plantguy Posted April 21, 2015 Posted April 21, 2015 Those are really super finds and excellent prep. Congrats!. Flying critters of all kinds are fascinating. Back in Sept Dr. Brian Andres talked about pterosaurs of all kinds at the Tampa Bay Fossil club mtg and it was wild to hear about the variety.... Continued hunting success! Regards, Chris
ZiggieCie Posted April 21, 2015 Posted April 21, 2015 I can't wait to see what you do when you grow up.
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