2008-06-28
08-06-vl-jaw-286
As we hear screams of excitement from Claire, everyone begins converging on the site where Jan found a nicely preserved fish jaw with teeth, and also vertebra and other bones.
08-06-vl-turtle-308
Numerous pieces of fossil turtle are scattered around this area.
08-06-vl-trek-274
At lunchtime, James Lamb made the rounds of flags where members had marked fossil finds, with many of us tagging along to learn the proper scientific names (or at least hear them said out loud!), and see if what we found was actually fossil material!
08-06-vl-turtle-359
As James Lamb excavates dirt, more and more turtle bone is exposed, Also a large shell is in the same area.
08-06-vl-cool-off-267
We had an area designated as the "Cool Off Station" stocked with cold drinks and fans, manned by Greg, where members dropped off their ice chests and retreated when they got too hot. If you look carefully, you can see coolers hung in the trees, in an attempt to keep out the fire ants. Thanks to Don, who brought popsicles for everyone to enjoy! There was a great view of the gullies from this vantage point.
08-06-vl-bone-253
Mosasaur bone of an adult or larger juvenile found in the roots of the tree.
08-06-vl-mosasaur-site-248
James Lamb spotted the bones of an adult mosasaur skull, and several (5-6) vertebra of a baby mosasaur, mostly caught in the roots of the small tree. One was so lightweight, it was caught in a spiderweb! The bulk of the bones washed down the gully long ago.
