minnbuckeye Posted September 21, 2015 Posted September 21, 2015 Two weeks ago I had the privilege of entering a Quarry in East central Iowa which exposes mostly Cedar Valley Formation. A few trilobites were found though the quarry was very large and I only spent an hour at the proper level looking. Too many other places to check out.
minnbuckeye Posted September 21, 2015 Author Posted September 21, 2015 Here they are after initial cleaning.
minnbuckeye Posted September 21, 2015 Author Posted September 21, 2015 This crinoid cup was found along side the road entering the quarry. It was amongst rock that was placed there to prevent erosion. You never know where a nice fossil may show up! The reason I was looking there was that I developed a few blisters from Swinging the sledge and this area did not require breaking rock.
minnbuckeye Posted September 21, 2015 Author Posted September 21, 2015 (edited) This quarry is known to have a few fish pieces in it and I managed to find some. I posted these pictures for ID and response was fish tooth (psephotus or early cladodont shark tooth). I also found the armored plate of a Devonian fish (Placoderm). Edited September 21, 2015 by minnbuckeye
minnbuckeye Posted September 21, 2015 Author Posted September 21, 2015 (edited) This quarry often times surprises you with a variety of crystals. The first is calcite and pyrite mixed together. Could not find a penny for size so my dog volunteered his nose! The next large calcite crystal is peppered with pyrite. In the sun the calcite has a general rainbow glow to it. But the pyrite adds sparkles that make this a unique specimen. I wish the pictures would show it better. Does anyone have any photographic suggestions of how to capture crystals on film? Edited September 21, 2015 by minnbuckeye
minnbuckeye Posted September 21, 2015 Author Posted September 21, 2015 I still love brachiopods and corals and can not resist collecting some.
minnbuckeye Posted September 21, 2015 Author Posted September 21, 2015 Quarries are such special places to hunt for fossils. I am just so thankful that some quarries still allow us enthusiasts to collect. And as I have mentioned before, those new to fossil collecting should join a fossil club as clubs are the ones to access quarries.
jcbshark Posted September 21, 2015 Posted September 21, 2015 Great finds Mike, nice trilos and I like the Crinoid : ) Every once in a great while it's not just a big rock down there!
minnbuckeye Posted September 21, 2015 Author Posted September 21, 2015 Another try with the crystal to bring out the sparkle
ZiggieCie Posted September 21, 2015 Posted September 21, 2015 THX. for showing your fossils and sharing your trip with us.
Khyssa Posted September 21, 2015 Posted September 21, 2015 Those are all really nice finds! Looks like you had a good day hunting. Mines are great places to visit.
Fossildude19 Posted September 21, 2015 Posted September 21, 2015 Good report and excellent finds! Anytime you can find fish bits from the Devonian is a good day. Thanks for posting this. 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
snakebite6769 Posted September 21, 2015 Posted September 21, 2015 Great finds. I will be out in Illinois next month, and I hope to make a weekend trip to Iowa and hunt. Thanks for sharing your finds!!
kauai1800 Posted September 21, 2015 Posted September 21, 2015 Nice fossils and nice crystal in one area - that's sweet. Mahalo for sharing. "Ain't no fossils in Hawaii...."
Shamalama Posted September 21, 2015 Posted September 21, 2015 Those are some great Upper Dev. finds there. Congrats! Any pics of the quarry itself? -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/
caldigger Posted September 21, 2015 Posted September 21, 2015 You know Mike, I have found that crystals are one of the hardest things to shoot. You can never get the true sense of the "sparkle" on film. Looks like your getting out there and getting the goods. You'd better hurry before that white stuff starts falling from the sky.
minnbuckeye Posted September 22, 2015 Author Posted September 22, 2015 Those are some great Upper Dev. finds there. Congrats! Any pics of the quarry itself? Unfortunately we are instructed to NOT take quarry pics for fear that something may inadvertently show up in the photo that could jeopardize our access. For example, we are to stay away from the vertical walls the same distance as the height of the wall. Everyone follows this. But if a picture is taken of a high wall and someone is in the foreground, it often appears that the individual is much closer to the wall than reality. Another example, the last time we entered, it was HOT. Sweat rolled down your forehead. If someone happens to shoot a quarry picture as you remove your hat to wipe sweat from your brow and you are part of their picture, trouble could arise since it is forbidden to be in the quarry without a hardhat. Sounds pretty far fetched but another local club ran into a similar situation that created problems. So it CAN happen in spite of our group being conscientious.
minnbuckeye Posted September 22, 2015 Author Posted September 22, 2015 You know Mike, I have found that crystals are one of the hardest things to shoot. You can never get the true sense of the "sparkle" on film. Looks like your getting out there and getting the goods. You'd better hurry before that white stuff starts falling from the sky. Snow won't bother me. I will just visit JCBSHARK again!!!!! That is if he offers. Hint hint. Great finds. I will be out in Illinois next month, and I hope to make a weekend trip to Iowa and hunt. Thanks for sharing your finds!! Let me know if you come to Iowa or Minnesota. I can try and show you some spots.
snakebite6769 Posted September 24, 2015 Posted September 24, 2015 Sounds great, thanks for the offer!
Jeffrey P Posted September 24, 2015 Posted September 24, 2015 Great finds. I especially love the crinoid calyx. Looks like a great trip over all.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now