It was a gorgeous day to go creek hunting in Mississippi with BPS! We were the first ones, all seven members there and had the park to ourselves up till around 3ish. The water that morning was freezing cold, but our bodies acclimated to it, and it helped the temperature shot up to 78 degrees! After 3ish, about 20 people showed up to party with us... got a lil' crowded, but most left after an hour. Pictured is my haul for the day, all were found under the bridge where it has been picked over... the secret is ya gotta dig a lil' deeper! Most of the teeth found were Goblin Shark with maybe a Cretolamna and Squalicorax? A tooth that still is in the matrix with blade showing. Another tooth, has the root attached and looks like a Mosasaur tooth? Pieces of bone, broken Gastropod steinkern, Native American pottery sherds with faint designs on them, and the broken shark teeth found as well. What a gorgeous day to hunt for Cretaceous Period fossils for all!

(report to come later)

Trip number 2, for the win! On Saturday, February 1, 2020, eight BPS members and guests met in a parking lot in Russellville to gather permits, supplies and biscuits before returning to the lake where we had collected just a short time ago. The weather was nearly a repeat with gloomy skies and chilly temps and winds but no one was thwarted in the least. We intended to have a leisurely look along the shore that was so forthcoming last time but had a lucky change of direction instead. A long-time friend/member of BPS happened to spot, collecting on the shore, a local fellow he knew who HAD A BOAT and offered to ferry us across the lake to spots that are not as heavily collected. Yes, PLEASE!!! Several whole crinoids, a couple of trilobite pygidium, a possible large trilobite (on its side) and some nice hash slabs were claimed. When our boat captain had to go, he ferried us to the spot we had originally wanted to visit. We found a few blastoids, horn and other coral pieces, Archimedes, brachiopods, a badly broken shark tooth in matrix, and other fun bits of Mississippian fossil treasure. As the day extended and the wind continued, it was decided to make way back to the cars. At one point, it seemed like maybe more collecting would happen but the appeal of warmth and food overcame the need to collect more. That nice Mexican restaurant in Cullman was beckoning – food and conversation were enjoyed by those who stopped. Even though it was the second trip in short succession, it was a very good day!

On Saturday, January 25, 2020, several BPS members and guests decided, despite the dismal forecast, to travel to a lake in Franklin county to collect fossils.  The selected field trip site is a favorite and did not fail to please.  Despite the raw and biting winds and persistent clouds, our group visited 3 sites throughout the day.  Though two of the sites were less than forthcoming with fossil finds, one site was a treasure trove of Mississippian fossils.  There were lots of crinoid stems, many blastoids (one HUGE one), nice corals (also a HUGE horn coral), a couple of trilobites, some hash plates that were not to be left behind, a stunning arm of a feathered star crinoid and many other nice collectibles.  No one really wanted to leave the site but there was one more that we all wanted to visit so that’s what we did – staying until the daylight was all but gone.  It was probably the cold and the wind but we all decided to head home instead of having the usual Mexican dinner.  Even without the dinner and discussion, it was a good field trip.    

BPS participated in the National Fossil Day exhibit on the campus of the University of Alabama, in Tuscaloosa.

How many attendees does it take to make a great field trip?  Today, the answer was four!  Maybe it was the cold weather or maybe it was schedule conflicts but, for the folks who came to Chilton County for the field trip, it was very pleasant!

The water in the creek was a little high and was a LOT COLD but that didn’t stop the BPS members who wanted to look for petrified and permineralized wood specimens.  The summer drought has kept several sites from the usual surface material turnover so the larger specimens of petrified wood were not evident.  Smaller samples were plentiful and the colors and visible petrified wood grain that were seen were beautiful, as usual.  Two spectacular Native American artifacts were found as well. 

Some interesting local fauna was seen:  a busy beaver (seemingly unconcerned by our presence), a pair of racing kingfishers, following the creek and chattering loudly, and a small flock of guinea fowl by the fishing lake.  There were tiny minnows in the creek – wonder how they feel about the temperature change?? In spite of the cooler temps, their location is one of the best.  We were fortunate to share their space for the day!! 

The teacher workshop was held at the University of West Alabama in Livingston this year due to weather issues.  It was taught by professors from the University of West Alabama and geologists from the Geological Survey of Alabama.  There was a full classroom of students, including several BPS members who attended as students.  Other BPS members provided assistance in the workshop and behind the scenes with food preparation and clean-up, and also set up the BPS traveling fossil display. 

Although the attendees were confined indoors due to an all-day rain, buckets of material from a Bashi site that is no longer available were provided by one of the instructors. It was chock full of tiny, almost perfect fossils. One of the workshop tasks was for the students to research available fossil documentation to identify their specimens.  Students were very engaged and actively involved in the lab project, and no one had to get muddy boots.  After the classroom activities were completed, most of the group left to get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Black Belt Museum. 
 

On Saturday, September 28, a sizable group of BPS members and guests got together to take advantage of the unseasonably hot weather to visit a favorite creek in Perry County.  After a stop at a local burger restaurant that served very tasty biscuits, we caravanned to the site – off-roading a little bit at the end.  The dry weather was definitely in our favor there! 

This particular creek has historically been loaded with fossils but, due to the recent drought, was a little less forthcoming with fossil finds.  Not to be daunted by the circumstances, the trip attendees found deeper water gravel or searched shallower areas for things that might have been previously missed.  And, that diligence paid off!  Among the finds were 2 (!!) Cretoxyrhina mantelli teeth, other varieties of shark teeth, Ptychodus teeth, oyster shells, a turtle flipper bone, Baculites segments and even some Native American artifacts.  This creek always delivers, even after heavy collecting and little material turnover.  No wonder it’s a favorite location!   
 

On Saturday, July 27, 2019, a much-anticipated field trip took place.  A good sized group of BPS members and guests met at a pre-determined spot in Sumter County and then caravanned to a lovely Cretaceous chalk gully site that has not been surveyed for several years.  Because of a tightly-strung barb wire fence, James made a lovely pair of steps (stiles) for getting the group up and over.  There was reference made to accessing the gullies “in STYLE”.  Funny but not quite time to give up your day job. 

Once in the gullies, searchers immediately found mosasaur and shark teeth, turtle bones, fish bones, clam and crab pieces, shrimp burrows, Hamulus tubes, shark, fish and mosasaur vertebra, and more.  One member found complete turtle skull which James collected for reconstruction.  In another area, James found several pieces of mosasaur bone, jaw and teeth fragments as they were being revealed through the chalk erosion.  There were many interesting fossils (and some non-fossils) found while attendees were searching the gullies.  The heat was a factor, as it usually is in chalk gullies in the summer, but everyone took breaks and kept hydrated so everyone stayed safe and had fun.  Again, I am deeply appreciative of the owners who allowed us access to their property.  I hope I speak for everyone  when I say it was a great day. 

On Saturday, June 15, 2019, a group of BPS members and guests met at a pre-determined meeting spot for a visit/pit stop/supply gather before heading to the field trip destination.  The weather was warm but with slightly lower humidity which was much appreciated.  After a short drive to the site and a short hike to the gullies, James gathered everyone for an informative talk about the age, formation and fossils in the gullies, as well as some collecting etiquette. 

Fossil collectors spread out across the gullies in hopes of findings nice specimens but the gullies weren’t revealing many finds on this day.  Still, not a total shut out, though, with shark teeth, enchodus teeth, fish vertebra, Hamulus tubes, turtle bones, Inoceramus clam fragments, shrimp burrows and other fossils being found.  James checked on some of his previously tagged finds and reinforced them for stability where needed. 

At noon, the group went to the shed for lunch.  It’s always very comfortable there with shade and usually a fresh breeze – just what is needed to recharge the biological batteries!  At that point, too, everyone has an opportunity to compare fossil finds and have them identified.  Then, after a pleasant break, it’s time to move to the second part of the day – the creek!

Just a short drive away, there’s a lovely, shady creek with Cretaceous fossils that are slightly older than the fossils found in the chalk gullies we’d just visited.  There are usually gravel bars by the creek access point but the ever-flowing water moved the gravel from the usual places.  James hiked overland to find a sizable gravel bar for the group to screen.  Everyone was able to find very nice shark teeth as well as gastropod casts, ammonite and baculite segment casts and other fossil and non-fossil pieces.  It is a special place and will remain one of my favorite trips.     
 

Weekend trip to a creek in Butler county, Alabama, with several members camping out for the long holiday.

On a very pretty March 30, 2019, a great group of BPS members and guests met at a predetermined spot in Chilton County before a much-needed field trip.  On a scouting outing several weeks before, the scouting party ran in to a very chatty and generous landowner.  During a pleasant conversation, permission was granted for the group to access his lovely, winding, gravelly creek.  On the day of the field trip, the temperature had gone up and the water level had gone down, making creek access not only possible but nearly enjoyable. 

The wide gravel bars were covered with small pieces of beautiful permineralized wood.  On some, the colors were spectacular but without much detail while others had nice, identifiable wood grain still visible.  The majority of pieces were under two or three inches but some very large pieces were found by members wading in deeper parts of the creek.  At some point, (not while we were there), a 12-foot permineralized log and a smaller (5’) log was recovered.  Goals!!

It’s usually found that time on the water really builds an appetite and this was no exception.  A little after mid-day, a lunch break was called and the group set off to the nearby small town where there was a tasty Mexican restaurant.  Lunch and conversation were great, as was the trip and day!     

On Saturday, March 2, 2019, numerous BPS members and guests traveled through the pouring rain to a fairly close limestone quarry to look for fossils.  The rain stopped by the time we reached the rendezvous location but the temperature began to rapidly drop.  That did not deter any of the fossil enthusiasts nor did it deter our hosts, thankfully!

After a brief lecture in safety and collection from the quarry host, we headed out.  The way to the collection site was slick and muddy but no one got stuck.  We parked in the mud, gathered our tools and headed to the spoil piles to find fossils.  And, as usual, we were not disappointed.  This site has plentiful Mississippian fossils – crinoids, blastoids, bryozoans, brachiopods, and horn corals.  Not so plentiful but also present were several genera of shark teeth.  We all had our strategies planned for finding the elusive shark teeth; some even proved successful.  The quarry chaperones again found nice two Petalodus teeth and maybe more than one BPS member found shark teeth also.  And, as an addendum to last year’s trip report, the large, museum-quality slab was collected and moved to the educational building for sharing – well done!!

At about 2:00, we called a halt to the collecting in order to give the indulgent quarry chaperones the rest of their Saturday.  A handful of collectors reconvened at the nearby (still colorful) Mexican restaurant for refueling and good conversation before the trip home.  This site is so very fun and lucrative for collecting.  I know I’ll look forward to the next visit!

Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019 was an absolutely PERFECT day for a field trip!  There were 14 BPS members and guests who got together to spend a much-needed day in the great outdoors looking for fossils.  The general area was a lakeshore in Franklin County (lower Bangor limestone formation) and our leaders selected 3 sites from which to collect.  The first site, a public boat launch, was fairly void of fossils (except for a nice shark tooth in limestone matrix) but we had heard that the area had been over-collected recently so it was not unexpected.  Even with slim fossil findings, the beautiful very spring-like weather had everyone enjoying the hunt. 

It was decided to relocate to the site we collected last year so we all packed up and headed over.  Thanks to expert navigation by Bob, we made it to the next site quickly and without a hitch – good job, Bob!!  And this site proved to be as productive as it was last year.  The shore consists of fossil slabs and loose fossils that had washed out of the matrix.  Copious crinoid components, bryozoan components, horn corals, bivalves, brachiopods, and blastoids were all found while at this site.  A non-fossil but interesting find was a pharyngeal dental plate from a freshwater drum fish.  It was very pleasant to sit in the warm sun, with the fresh breeze, sifting and searching the washed-out fossils along the shoreline. 

Some called it a great day after this but the remainder of the group ventured on to a road cut several miles away.  Still in the Mississippian strata, we found a few blastoids, a brachiopods and even a couple of trilobites or, rather, the infamous “trilo-butts”.  One specimen was very nice, being in pristine shape as if newly exposed.  By this time, the sun was beginning to set so the remainder of the group wrapped up the hunt and bid the fossil hunt good day.  There’s a great Mexican restaurant on Hwy 157 that is convenient to the interstate so the last of the Mohicans stopped there for good food and conversation before heading the rest of the way home.  What a great day!         

The Annual Fossils of the Black Belt, Hands-On Field Workshop.

BPS participated in the National Fossil Day exhibit on the campus of the University of Alabama, in Tuscaloosa.

On Saturday, Sept. 22, a nice-sized group of BPS members and guests gathered in anticipation of a gully and creek exploration and discovery.  The day was predictably hot but spirits were high – fossils out there, waiting to be found!!  After a brief orientation and explanation of potential finds, the group moved into the gullies and began searching.  Finds from this site included shark and enchodus teeth, shark and fish vertebrae, shell fragments, worm tubes, shrimp burrows, and ubiquitous, sparkly pyritized organic material (still hard for me to resist).  While talking to another member, James spotted a string of shark vertebrae (5-6) on an adjacent gully which he carefully collected and wrapped for transport.  Still really spectacular and incredible to me that an animal used those vertebrae to swim around and live his life and here we find them 80 million years later.  And, they are still in pretty good shape (considering)!

After a lunch break, we moved to the second site (my personal favorite) which is the very productive creek in the next county.  After the hot gullies, a cool wade through a very fossiliferous creek is just what the group likes!  Before we made it to the creek, I had the opportunity to meet the owner and express gratitude for his hospitality and generosity in allowing us access to this treasure on his property.  He told me he was glad we were enjoying it and that he was also glad that so many fossils were being found and appreciated.  Me, too!!

In the creek, my first screen yielded 5 shark teeth!  How can this not be a favorite location?!?!  James and several others went upstream to find gravel bars and while some stayed at the downstream spot that seemed to be yielding nice and plentiful teeth and bone fragments.  Also found were 3 ptychodus teeth of unknown species, 1 Ptychodus polygyrus tooth (way to go LEISA!!!) a piece of Native American pottery (also Leisa) and other interesting fossil, geofact and late hominid artifacts (vintage glass, metal, pottery mostly).  If someone leaves this site empty-handed, it’s because he or she chooses to do so!  There’s something here for everyone!  So, a little before daylight started dimming, the group called a halt to the searching, changed into dry clothes and shoes and bid the lovely creek site good-bye until next time.             

On Saturday, Aug 11, 2018, a small group of BPS members and guests traveled to Jasper County, Mississippi where we were joined by our enthusiastic, knowledgeable host.  We were led to a small working lime quarry that featured, from the Oligocene, outcrops of Bucatunna clay, Glendon formation limestone and Marianna limestone.  The quarry process yielded specimens from the Mint Spring unit but the unit itself was underwater. 

Participants were given some geological facts and some collecting hints and then were free to roam around the quarry.  There were large mined limestone boulders all around the quarry that were fossiliferous and a paddock area where the initial crushing of mined slabs took place that contained fossils.  There was lots of material that was rinsed by rain run-off from collecting shed’s roof, making some fossils in that area easier to spot.

As collectors spread out and began searching, some of the things collected were:  echinoids, scallop shells, tusk shells, forams (coin-sized, single-celled organisms that are still around today), shark and ray teeth, a broken shark vertebra, delicately branching bryozoans, pyritized cone shells, echinoids, pyritized burrows, ghost shrimp claws and lignite.  Lots of treasures at this site!

And, if things were exciting enough, James stepped on a shifting boulder which caused him to lose his balance and grip on his pick.  Who knew those things would bounce??  And, bounce it did – right into James’s head.  Paleontologists are tough and prepared, though.  George retrieved his first-aid kit from his truck and applied a nice field dressing which enabled James to make his way back to his truck.  We couldn’t pass the up the opportunity to record the event for posterity so group photos were taken with Bloody James front and center.  I’d like to nominate that as his new pirate/field name!!  After the photos, James was chauffeured to the hospital where his hard head was declared uncracked and the wound sutured, then he was escorted safely home.  Unfortunate as it was, I’m glad that he’s okay. 

Many thanks to our wonderful host for a great day at a great site!  I hope we’ll be invited to Mississippi again!!       

I want to start this trip report with a huge thank you to Tim for escorting the group on the first half of the trip and for patiently answering all of the questions.  We couldn’t have done it without you!!! 

A baker’s dozen of BPS members and guests, all eager for a field trip, met  in Dallas county to collect in chalk gullies.  It was suggested that we go to a gully that hasn’t been surveyed in over a year so we were all very eager to get to it.  Tim mentioned a few collecting techniques as well as some collecting etiquette, showed an aerial photo of the area to be collected and, after a short hike, we were in the gullies!  Almost immediately, Tim found a mosasaur vertebra and a jaw fragment – a very positive sign!  As groups do, we spread out to explore and mark interesting finds.  There were copious shrimp burrows and strangely hard to resist pyritized organic material (sparkly fish poops), barnacles, some enchodus and shark teeth, a large fragment of a rudist clam, a section of lignite, a previously flagged and recovered fish jaw, and a group of turtle vertebra.  It was, of course, blazing hot so, even though the exploration was exciting, no one complained when the lunch break was called.  We went to a shady place to pause, refresh, and recharge biological batteries.

For the second site, we went to another privately owned, very productive creek  where James joined us.   The recent rains had scoured some areas and deposited about 2 vertical feet of sand onto what used to be lovely gravel bars.  While some of us tried sifting material in old familiar spots, James scouted upstream and alerted the group that there was a gravel bar that would support all of our attention and exploration.  So, after a short hike, we all settled on to the new spot where we were delighted to find large and small, mostly well preserved, shark teeth, gastropod casts, ptychodus teeth, bone bits, a pectoral spine, baculite and ammonite segments and many other fossil and non-fossil finds.

The weather, which is always a gamble this time of year, cooperated all day.  It was hot in the gullies but there was a breeze and the bright sun really helps with fossil spotting.  Clouds started moving in at noon and thunder was heard in the distance (rained on us as we drove to second site) but it never rained on us in the creek and we never had to leave the creek because of lightning.   Based on the smiles and shared finds at the end of the day, I think a great time was had by all!     

On March 31, thirteen BPS members and guests had the pleasure of visiting a working limestone quarry in Morgan County.  The weather was superb, the attendees were enthusiastic and the fossils were everywhere!  The fossils found were primarily Mississippian (Paleozoiz era).  Many crinoid stems and whole crinoids were found as well as blastoids, bryzoans, brachiopods and corals.  There were many nice examples of these fossils and even a "museum quality" slab of whole crinoids that was just too heavy to carry out.  Maybe someone will remember to bring the helicopter next time!

The quarry employees who accompanied us were very helpful and even managed to maintain a positive attitude while giving up a part of their Saturday to be with those of us who love to look for fossils.  One of the employees was lucky enough to find an elusive shark tooth, as did one of the BPS members.  Though we could have stayed much longer, the group ended their searching at 2:00 (as promised) to give the employees the rest of their Saturday afternoon.  After the quarry, the group headed to a nearby Mexican restaurant for good food and conversation.  It was another very enjoyable field trip on a nearly perfect day!  

Dr. George Phillips of the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science in Jackson, Mississippi, held the 15th Annual Fossil Road Show, where various groups from around the south were invited to set up exhibits and help identify fossils.  The BPS exhibit showcased Alabama fossils, and photos of various BPS fossil digs in Alabama.

The mid-day presentation "An Introduction to the World of Tiny Fossils" was by Dr. Mark Puckett of The University of Southern Mississippi.

There were several professional paleontologists assisting with fossil identification.  Dr. David Dockery was quite interested in the collection of tiny shells collected by Vicki on the February 2017 trip to Blue Springs, MS.  He is considered the expert on these shells.  James Lamb of UWA set up a working 3D printer to show how they are used in replicating fossils.  Dr. George Phillips and several other experts were scattered around the venue, helping the public, and enjoying the exhibits.
 

For the February field trip, six stalwart fossil hunters ignored the gloomy forecast and journeyed through a storm front to a lovely Franklin County lake site.  As it turned out, the weather was perfectly suited to fossil hunting with partly sunny skies, comfortable temperatures and a fresh breeze - no rain the entire day!  Accompanied by the sound of waves lapping the shoreline, the amiable group had no trouble finding many different Mississippian fossils:  Crinoid stems and several whole crinoids with calyx and arms, bryzoans (Archimedes), blastoids, horn corals, bivalves, unresistable (sizable!) hash slabs and even coral heads at a second site.  For a day with a marginal forecast, a good time was had by all.   

Last trip to the gullies before hunting season starts.

The 2017 Fossil Teacher Workshop held jointly by the University of West Alabama and the Geologic Survey of Alabama In Dallas County, Alabama.  Students attended a lecture in the morning, then went into the field to learn about how to find and identify fossils.  BPS volunteers provided assistance setting up meals and materials, and support in the field.

The Alabama Museum of Natural History hosts an annual National Fossil Day event in the Grand Gallery.  BPS set up an exhibit table, as did numerous groups from around the area.

Best day ever for collecting in the gullies - weather was cool, only low 90's, unlike the usual 110 or higher in the shade.

Hot, hot, hot today.  Creek was a welcome relief.

BPS members were invited to participate in a salvage operation at Ft. Tombecbe, where debris and artifacts were falling into the river and being lost to science.  A number of BPS members showed up to assist Dr. Dumas.  As buckets of debris were funneled down, various members took turns screening to remove the worst of the silt/dirt.  The material left in the screens was taken to the lab for a more detailed examination.

On a rainy Saturday, a number of BPS members braved the weather to collect in a quarry in Bibb County.  Numerous brachiopods, a few trilobites, a whole sponge, and bryozoans were found.

The annual Fossil Teacher Workshop held jointly by the University of West Alabama and the Geologic Survey of Alabama was held at a gully site this year, and was set up a bit differently.  After the morning lecture, teachers and leaders were divided up into 3 groups, and each group went their own direction to map the stratigraphy of the layers between Point A and Point B.  After lunch, and discussion of the exercise, students went to another area to collect fossils.  One BPS student, Andrew Barnes, found the bones of an ancient bird, most likely a pterosaur.  These are extremely rare, and this excellent find will probably turn out to be the most complete bird specimen found in Alabama.  BPS volunteers provided assistance setting up meals and materials, and support in the field.

The Alabama Museum of Natural History hosts an annual National Fossil Day event in the Grand Gallery.  BPS set up an exhibit table, as did numerous groups from around the area.  This year, BPS highlighted photos of the dinosaur dig for the newly named species of hadrosaurid (duck billed dinosaur), Eotrachodon orientalis.

The BPS August field trip was to the UA museum archives in Tuscaloosa, where we were treated to a behind the scenes look at the collections.  Many items are from the 1800's or early 1900's, so their preservation is remarkable.  The collections include not only items from Alabama, but from many other states, and around the world.
 

BPS members were invited to participate in the 13th Annual "Fossil Road Show" held in Jackson, Mississippi, at the Mississippi Museum of Natural History.  BPS showcased Alabama fossils, and set up a display of photos of the dinosaur dig for the newly named "Eotrachodon orientalis" that was found and excavated several years ago by BPS members under the leadership of James Lamb. 

Rock and fossil clubs from around the south (mostly Mississippi) set up very interesting exhibits and had fascinating stories to tell about their display items.  A number of professional paleontologists and "amateur experts" attended the Fossil Road Show to assist in identifying odd rocks and fossils brought in by members of the public. Thanks to George Phillips for this opportunity for fossil enthusiasts to share their love of fossils!

On probably what turned out to be one of the most beautiful days in January, BPS members set off for North Alabama, to a site that hasn't been collected in at least 25 years.  Numerous archimedes, blastoids, crinoids, and trilobites were found.  With a Mardi Gras cake for a lunch treat, then dinner that evening at a local restaurant, we couldn't have asked for a more pleasant day.

The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa celebrated National Fossil Day at Smith Hall on October 21 - a week late this year - all the paleontologists were attending the annual SVP meeting on National Fossil Day!  BPS was invited to set up an exhibit, along with a number of other exhibitors, including the Geologic Survey of Alabama, the Marine Science Club, the Alabama Museum of Natural History (who had spectacular specimens on display), geology classes, and the Evolutionary Studies Club.  There were a couple of paleontolgists giving lectures, and the opening of a new exhibit at Smith Hall later that evening.

A trip back to the gullies, not as hot as usual, actually very pleasant.  A number of shark vertebra and various fish fossils and jaws were found.  Several shark teeth and enchodus teeth were also found.

Weekend trip to a creek in Butler county, Alabama, with several members camping out for the long holiday.

Trip to a creek in Butler county, Alabama.  A good turnout for the hot weather.  Creek was good for cooling off while hunting fossils.

A beautiful Monday morning, with lots of clouds keeping heat to a bearable level.  We went to a new area this trip, where several crinoid heads and pieces, blastoids, archimedes, horned and other corals were found.  Just after moving to a new collecting location, the bottom dropped out, and though we were quite ok with collecting in the rain, the quarry managers said the roads would get slick, so we had to make an early exit.  The group enjoyed lunch at a very interesting Mexican restaurant.

Report to come.

The Mississippi Museum of Natural History in Jackson presents a "Fossil Road Show" each year.  The public is invited to bring their "mystery rocks" and have them identified.  It also provides a venue for local groups to showcase their rocks, fossils, and club activities.  BPS members Don and Jill Hill set up a fossil exhibit for BPS, and spent the day telling visitors about the Alabama fossils on our exhibit tables, visiting with other like-minded groups, and checking out the numerous exhibits.

BPS members went to North Shelby Public Library, where they did a presentation to approximately 53 students and their parents.  Riley Chandler gave the presentation on Dinosaurs, and Don Hill and Vicki Lais set up the fossil exhibit.  There were numerous give-aways available, including posters, postcards, and fossils.  One young attendee announced to Ms. Higgins "this was the best Homeschool Hangout, ever!"  Thanks to all those who came to hear the talk!

BPS traveled to Munford, AL one beautiful Sunday to do a lecture and fossil exhibit for the Alabama Freethought Society.

The teacher workshop was held near Selma, Alabama this year.  It was taught by professors from the University of West Alabama and geologists from the Geological Survey of Alabama.  Volunteers from BPS assisted with fossil identification, food preparation, and generally provided assistance as needed.  Teachers visited several large outcrops. Fossil finds included oysters, bivalves, snails, mosasaur vertebra, bryozoan, worm tubes, turtle, and shark teeth.   A very rare brittle star fossil was found by one of the teachers, which will be housed in a museum.