The temps in the great outdoors this year has gotten hotter as the days pass, that makes it difficult to get out and enjoy fossil hunting... it only makes you want cooler weather, and before we know it, it will be upon us! June 2022 saw very limited fossil hunting trips because of the hot weather. The only trip this month took us to a small creek about a 2-hour drive from our homes. We were invited to private property to hunt, and it didn't disappoint! This creek in particular isn't a creek that yields a lot of spectacular finds in comparison to other creeks I've visited, but has produced some doozies in the past like this present trip. Mosasaur vertebrates are the main finds on this creek along with shark teeth and other marine fossils.
Being the creature of habit like I've always been known for, I set up shop in the area I was in last year. The gravel bar got a lot bigger because of all the rain and flooding that happened during the winter months!
My first sift and I find a Mosasaur vert!!! The big piece of bone on the lower right. My very first! I find the teeth, but this is my first vertebrate, EVER! Of course my day was made! One of the things about creek hunting is they make you work for every find... the picture posts on social network is all cool, but the finds discovered that day I had to work for, and it wasn't easy but glad I came away from that creek with what I found. Along with the vertebrate, Enchodus frontal and posterior teeth. Scapanorynchnus (Goblin Shark) and Squalicorax (Crow Shark) teeth.
Also found these fossilized worm tubes that are plentiful on the creek, the hooked one is called a Hamulus, and the other funky worm tubes are called, Sabellid Polychaete. There is an assortment of bone pieces too? I'm afraid some of the bone pieces are modern day as well as fossilized, it's hard to tell after being waterlogged for eons!
Some of the spectacular finds that day or any other time we've been there have been by surface hunting the gravel bars and this day was no exception! One of my hunting buddies son William discovered a giant Cretoxyrhina shark tooth while scanning the gravel bars. A monster tooth and probably the second biggest found by someone I know from this state! It was the kind of tooth you just can't unsee from that creek! (picture used with permission) Sometimes I wish I had the patience to surface hunt. Not only do you cover a lot of ground, but you expend a lot of energy especially when it's hot and muggy. I say too each his or her own because surface hunting allows you to find a multitude of fossils that is if you're that lucky that day. I just can't do it, I'd rather expend my energy under a canopy of trees where it's a tad bit cooler and getting to sit on a bucket sifting every grain of sand and gravel at your fingertips the live-long day!
3:00 pm got here pretty quickly, and I was worn out! I gathered my gear together to meet at the designated area but when I got there 75% of those attending had already left! I came upon a number of swallowtail butterflies gathered upon a muddy area, they were so preoccupied with what they were doing I was able to pick one or two up to get a picture, but it wasn't going to happen... they kept flying off! Anyhoo, when I got to the meeting area I was able to compare notes with Ann about the finds for today.
Just before leaving my area, I debated on whether to take some micro gravel home with me. I didn't find anything spectacular from last years gravel but since I had a gallon zip lock bag in my backpack, might as well. Although this batch was smaller in quantity, I'm glad I gathered it together because this is what I found in that gallon zip lock bag! Enchodus, Pachyrizodus fish teeth, Scapanorynchnus shark teeth, Psuedocorax shark tooth and Brachiopod Steinkern.
What a great day to hunt with friends and even new friends! Even though it was a hot day, there was enough water around you to keep ya cool as well as the canopy of trees overhanging the creek to provide shade. Look forward to going back next year!
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