On August 21, 2021, BPS took a trip to a Cretaceous creek in Greene County, Al.  Despite a high percentage prediction for rain, a group of 19 people took the chance that the rain would not stop an eagerly anticipated chance to collect fossils.  For most of the day, that gamble paid off.  Though the water was a little deep in places, the gravel bars that were present gave everyone the chance to sift, dig, surface collect and generally enjoy the summer weather in a south Alabama creek.  

 

As collectors began to perform their favorite method of collecting, fossils were found.  There were lots of Hamulus tubes picked up, some barnacles (Arcoscalpellum) found, Enchodus teeth, shark teeth, bone and turtle shell fragments, and a very interesting tooth (Protosphyraena) that was a very exciting find.  Also, a nice mosasaur jaw fragment containing some tooth remnants was found, as well as a mosasaur vertebra.  And a Native American arrow point.  AND, one of the guests was able to identify a large group of edible mushroom, Chicken of the Woods, which was partially collected and divided among those who wanted to cook and eat it.  Yes, supposedly it looks and tastes like chicken when prepared.  

 

About mid-afternoon, the thunderstorms broke up the collecting party.  We thought we would try to wait the storm out but, like another recent field trip, the storm had other plans.  Flashing lightning and pelting rain made our decision for us.  Though we all could have stayed a little longer, it was pretty much a perfect day on a really nice creek.    

 

   

On May 29, 2021, BPS members and guests had a much-needed and super fantastic field trip to a very special private property in Montgomery County.  This gorgeous property is lovely to visit and has a creek in the back that kept all attendees screening for hours.  The creek situated in the Mooreville chalk formation of the Cretaceous period so fossil finds from today included shark teeth, enchodus teeth, gastropod steinkerns, and Hamulus worm tubes.  Several very interesting and special fossils were found, including a fragment of mosasaur jaw containing 2 teeth, a nice, large fish vertebra, a possible mastodon cusp, a fossilized rodent tooth, a fossilized beaver tooth and a couple of enchodus jaw fragments including partial teeth.  No wonder everyone was eager to keep screening!

 

Also in abundance were Native American artifacts.  Well-worn pottery shards were common on the gravel bars but a couple of nice pieces of pottery with very distinct decorations were found.  Many quartz and chert points and tools were found also, including a hand sized scraper made from dark chert.  Considering the amount of pottery in the area and the number of points found, it is fairly clear that there was Native habitation somewhere very close to the creek.  

 

Also native to the area, a banded water snake was photographed.  His behavior indicated that he was in his stealth/hunting mode.  Don’t know if he caught anything but he was not terribly disturbed by the humans nearby.  The great photo is provided by our very own Michael – thanks for being in the right spot to snap this cool guy!!

 

This could not have been any nicer of a day and trip.  The weather was ideal and so was the site.  I am happily tired and grateful to have been a part of such a good trip.