Visitor
Tertiary
08-04-vl-leisa-fossil_8039
Various items found, including cochina, shark teeth, ray teeth, pottery, echinoid
Pliocene
The Pliocene epoch is relatively new - only 2-5 million years ago. It is the most recent epoch of the Tertiary period. It was named after the Greek words "pleion" (more) and "ceno" (new).
Era/Period/Epoch:
June 23, 2007 - Eocene Fossils, Covington Co, AL
The weather was unbearably hot for this June BPS trip to a river in Covington County. Maybe it was the heat, but we had a smaller than normal turnout. The water at this Eocene age site was extremely low, and our usual collecting-holes were sometimes totally flushed clean, and sometimes filled with silt. Very odd. However, we still found some nice specimens and quite a bit of petrified wood, including what appears to be a seed pod. The group scattered along the riverbank and settled down in their chosen collecting spots, making life a little hard on the photographer, but we still got some nice pictures.
Unlike previous years, we were the only collectors that day. It appeared that some "cleanup" work had been done along the riverbank, because it was smooth and un-marred by the holes and trenches dug by commercial collectors in previous years. The landowner asked that we DO NOT DIG at this site, and hopefully, the word has gotten around (BPS never dug here, anyhow). Screening is ok, but NOT digging holes in the banks. Since a number of our members have been appalled in the past at what appeared to be irresponsible digging by people who didn't even know they needed permission to collect here, this was welcome news.
We found ray teeth, shark teeth, sting-ray spines, brachiopods, drumfish mouth plates, and some mystery pieces. Stay tuned! The river was a wonderful place to cool off on such a hot day, so BPSer's took full advantage. Several members camped out overnight (thanks for the A/C, Leisa!), and broke out the canoes the next day in hopes of spotting some more collecting areas. We found some shark and ray teeth, a live turtle badly wanting out of the hole it had fallen into, and had a very pleasant trip UP the river, but did not find the treasure hole we were seeking. So, obviously, we have to go hunting again, right guys?
--Edited by Vicki Lais
(Photos courtesy Claire Smith and Vicki Lais)
The group picture, hey, what can I say? We were late, hot, and hungry!
Very low water level today.
Members hunting for the best collecting spots - the river is quite shallow here.
Jan found several pieces of petrified/ permineralized wood, and what appears to be a nice seed pod.
Jan heading downstream, surveying areas that are normally covered with water.
Sample of the fossils found at this site.
Drumfish mouth plate.
The river is low enough to expose this small waterfall, where, rumor has it, Claire and Becky engaged in a water battle.
Good view of the seed found by Jan.
Wood found by Jan.
That evening at camp, we spread out our finds for the day.
April 21, 2007 - Cretaceous and Tertiary Fossils, Butler Co, AL
The April field trip took us to Butler County where a creek has cut through early Tertiary and late Cretaceous sediments. Once again as with last months field trip to Green County we had some of the best spring weather Alabama can offer, with the temperature reaching a pleasant 76 degrees.
Everyone met at a central location, and a brief introduction to the geology of the area was given before driving about 12 more miles to the entrance to the site. While past trips to this location have found the entrance roads to be very slick from rain, this years access was dry and easy. The entire caravan was able to drive to the limestone hilltop parking area.
The fossil hunting started the moment you exited your car with small gastropods and segments of large ammonites being found on the cleared hill top. The trail down to the creek provided more ammonites.
The creek was beautiful with white quartz sand beaches at many of the bends. Shark teeth, ray teeth, fossil bone, ammonite pieces and nautiloids were found in the gravel bars, along with numerous non-fossilized bones and teeth from various mammals. Some of the more interesting finds were various human artifacts rather than fossils. Indian potshards, some with incised decorations, a couple of projectile points and an Indian pipe, probably of European origin, were found.
The end of the day found the diehard fossil hunters resting at the beach where the trail intersected the creek. The Novaks organized a fire on the beach to roast small sausages, while others brought snacks to contribute, and the Stewarts returned to the parking area to set up camp for the night and fix their dinner.
By dark, everyone headed home, leaving Pam and Bob to enjoy a pleasant night at the site with owls hooting and Whip-poor-wills calling. At daybreak turkeys could be heard at the tree line adjacent to the camp area. After a couple of hours of walking the creek on Sunday morning the Stewarts packed up and reluctantly left the site, letting it return to nature.
--Edited by Vicki Lais
(Photos courtesy Jan Novak, Bob Stewart, Becky Guthrie, and Vicki Lais)
Vice President Greg gives an overview of the geology of the site and collecting rules.
A lot of excited people showed up for the field trip - fossils can even be found on the limestone earth in the foreground.
If you look carefully, you can spot tiny round gastropods, each approximately 3/8 inch across.
Hiking down to the creek from the parking area (and of course, looking for fossils along the way!)
The creek was higher this year than normal, but there were still numerous gravel bars.
A recent storm had washed up a huge pile of brush and trees, and left behind rocky rubble and mud rather than the white sand we normally find.
Nice nautiloid found by David.
Ray tooth and shark tooth.
Unknown item, can anyone identify? Looks kind of like a tooth. . . .but . . . .
Nice turritella in coquina.
Lea's mom was visiting from the Czech Republic, and decided to join us for the fun!
Shells in matrix.
Probably a pottery handle.
Worm tracks in the sand. Fossil worm tracks much like these are found in shale in north Alabama.
Numerous clayballs were found in the creek. This one shows bits and pieces of plant debris. The finder did not examine it closely to determine whether these were fossil leaves or recent, however, based on the geology of the area, they could easily be cretaceous fossil remains.
While Bob & Pam set their tent up . . .
The others built a fire and enjoyed the evening.
The campfire has about died out as some of the diehard fossil hounds hang out wringing that last little bit of enjoyment from the day!
June 03, 2006 - Paleocene Fossils, Clarke and Wilcox Co, AL
Today BPS went way down south to Clarke County, Alabama. We were quite excited because this was a new site Steve found, and we were chomping at the bit, ready to go. We found a good variety of bivalves and gastropods, a few shark teeth and ray teeth. The most numerous fossil we found is Flabellum cuneiforme pachyphyllum, a type of coral from the upper Lisbon formation. This is unlike any corals we have collected in the past, as it has a flattened shape, as if someone took a horned coral and squashed it. Some were tinted a pinkish color, which made them easy to spot in the mostly white matrix. At least one specimen of Endopachys maclurii was found (looks similar to the flat one, but has two bumps on each flat side), and several very tiny round specimens of Discotrochus orbignianus were found. (Specimens from this site are very fragile, and should NOT be placed in a bucket of water to clean, as they will crumble. Even the ones that look thick and solid. Brush them off dry, or very lightly wet them, then put them where they can air dry, perhaps on a wire screen.)
Later in the day we headed to Wilcox County, Alabama, to some huge road construction rubble piles. These rocks were from the Paleocene, Midway Stage. Several nice nautiloid casts (Hercoglossa ulrichi) were found at this site, as was an extremely nice vertebra, which has not yet been identified. The nautiloids are made of compressed sand, and the actual shell has disintegrated. Though they are very heavy and appear sturdy, if left exposed to the weather, or cleaned with water, they will crumble into a pile of sand.
Update: July, 2006 - on the trip, Martha found a large bone that appeared to some of us to be recent, as it was very lightweight; however, Jun Ebersole and James Lamb of the McWane Science Center asked to examine the bone, and determined it is from the only early whale of this species ever found in the state. The specimen has been sent to an early whale expert for study.
(photos courtesy Steve Corvin and Vicki Lais)
Greg is showing the group some specimens from this site - nice corals.
And the group scatters - the low water level makes hunting easy.
All the rocks at this site are filled with shells and corals. The trick is getting them out whole, as they easily crumble.
Becky is looking high . . .
and Anca is looking low!
Greg carefully easing out a small coral.
A nice bivalve found by Vicki.
Nice gastropods found by Leisa.
A large piece of bone found by Martha. According to James Lamb, it appears to be another bone fragment from an early whale found in this area. This specimen has been sent to an early whale expert for study.
David is heading to another location. The corals and shells were found from the bluffs to the waterline, while Steve engages in his favorite activity, getting wet!
Jan, look over here!
Shark teeth and a ray "tooth".
A nice larger shark tooth found by Steve.
Steven has found coral and a shark tooth.
Some shells found by Vicki.
Shells and corals in Vicki's bag.
One last look at the river before we head for lunch, then on to the next site.
Later in the afternoon we headed north to Wilcox county, to this pile of rocks from nearby road construction.
This was spotted on the way in, but the rock was too hard to easily remove the fossil.
Jan and Lea headed over to this pile of rocks where they found . . .
a cast of a very large nautiloid!
More nautiloid casts.
Claire found this piece of nautiloid barely out of the ground. She dug quite a while to work it loose.
This is what Claire found inside the nautiloid after removing the matrix. Beautiful quartz crystals!
Martha searching for an easy way up, which required the skills of a mountain goat!
Becky has found some nice gastropods.
And a large nautiloid cast in extremely hard rock!
Claire had a very nice day. In a wash near the nautiloid filled with crystals, she found this large vertebra.
Side view of the vertebra.
As the die-hard fossil hounds called it a day, we were treated to a beautiful sunset!
October 1, 2005 - Cretaceous and Tertiary Fossils, Butler Co, AL
Some Hardy Souls headed down to Butler County, Alabama with an overnight campout in mind. Great weather, hot, dry, made getting to the site a breeze. The Hardy Souls set up camp and settled into our tents, anticipating a great day of hunting. We fell asleep serenaded by the sweet sounds of coyotes howling. Around midnight, more strange noises began and we finally identified it as the pitter patter then deluge of a midnight rain, as Vicki frantically climbed out to put things under shelter. Claire slept peacefully through the whole thing. We stayed nice and dry but the chalk road didn't. This brought some reshuffling of cars and drivers to meet the rest of the gang up at the filling station.
It was an international gang this time, with 5 members from the Czech Republic, 3 exchange students from Sweden, one long-term member from Armenia and a couple all the way from exotic LA (Lower Alabama), along with the local members. We have had several debates as to whether we need to change our name to Birmingham International Paleontological Society, or Birmingham Paleontological Society, Internationale!
It was so gorgeous when we all got down there that people were sitting out in beach chairs and enjoying what could have easily passed for the Gulf coast's white, sandy beaches. Some folks got into the swim - literally - as one of those privileges of living in a tropical climate on Oct 1 in Alabama. A variety of fossils were found, including nautiloids, tiny gastropods, shark teeth and coquina stone filled with various shells including turritella. We also found a good amount of pottery shards, some other artifacts and a deer skull (recent, but included to show what the teeth look like). Several comments were made regarding the beach, on the order of "it didn't really matter whether we found fossils or not, this was a great place to hang out"!
The deer skull has a backstory. While wandering off for a solitary hike up the creek, Vicki managed to get herself thoroughly lost. In the dark. Forgot that trail-laying stuff from Girl Scouts, right Vicki? Well, it turned out well in the end, when Vicki took off and finally found the road, as well as gaining some nifty scratches. Things improved the next morning after Claire and Lea got out the weedeaters and cut a beautiful path down to the creek. Kudos, Kids! And Vicki is going to do a refresher course if she can find her old Girl Scout Handbook.
After a very full day, most of the group repaired to the campsite for a wine-tasting, while others continued the hunt. (It's not dark yet, right?) After forcing themselves to get up and moving again, most of the group headed back to home and reality. Claire, Lea, Paige, and Vicki camped another night, and enjoyed the peace of the creek for another day.
--Edited by Vicki Lais
(Photos courtesy Lea Martin, Jan Novak, and Vicki Lais)
Leisa thoughtfully provided our 3 Swedish exchange students with everything they needed to enjoy the day's trip.
Due to rain the previous night, we left the cars at the entrance and loaded all our gear in Greg's truck.
Scouting the parking area, which was newly bulldozed.
Some of the group on the long hike down.
Along the final stretch to the creek, members stop to check the limestone outcrops for nautiloids and gastropods.
Finally, the path to the creek, which is just over that ridge. There was no path here the day before, which is how Vicki got lost. A huge thanks to Lea and Claire for cutting all the underbrush for us!
Sun and sand - on with the sunscreen!
Sylvie and Michael screening for shark teeth.
The layers of years of flooding are clearly shown in this high bank.
Loni's granddaughter has found a treasure, but they are new bones, not fossil.
The Novacks starting a long trip way up the creek.
Two of our newest members from Mobile, Becky and Keith. Keith is holding a nice shark tooth that was found in the shell filled bank shown below.
Lea examining one of her finds.
Screening for shark teeth.
Leisa has found a nice bone artifact, and some cochina stone.
Closer view of the cochina. This stone is filled with fossil shells, including turritella, and is widely found in Florida, where it is cut into blocks and used as a building material.
Beautiful weather, temperature in the 90's (in October????), and we certainly took advantage of it!
Paige keeping cool while screening for shark teeth.
South Alabama is a beautiful place, and our fossil hobby gives us wonderful opportunities to see such treasures as this fern bank.
South Alabama is also known for the Spanish Moss hanging from many of the trees. It was used as packing material many years ago.
Many times fossil worm trails (trace fossils) are found in sandstone and shale material. Here is the modern day equivalent.
James has found a vertebra, but it is recent.
Many sandstones and shales show wave patterns, captured here in modern day sand.
Nice deer skull found in the creek. Claire is now the proud owner.
"What kind of teeth are these?" is a frequent question. This should aid in identifying deer teeth.
This area was covered with larger rocky material, and yielded many pottery shards, but few fossils.
We weren't alone on the creek, these may be tracks of the coyotes we heard "singing" during the night.
Vicki's collection.
Paige collected quite a few shark teeth.
Hanging out at the campsite, late afternoon. We also collected small gastropod specimens in this area.
Discussing our finds for the day; hanging out and enjoying each others company.
July 31, 2004 - Monroe Co, AL
This month BPS members headed to Monroe County in South Alabama, where we collected in the Lisbon Formation and Gosport Sand. Steve and Gilbert took their boats, so we spent the day scouting several miles along the riverbanks. Due to rain earlier in the week, the water level had risen 6-8 feet since the scouting trip, so the ledges were mostly underwater, and our collecting was restricted to the upper reaches. Numerous gastropods, turritella and trace fossils that appear to be burrows of some kind were found, also a few shark teeth, echinoids, and even a piece of permineralized wood were found. Some of the bivalves were complete and hardened. Many of the turritella and other shells found in the Gosport Sand were so fragile that it took careful digging to keep the shells from dissolving as they were touched. When broken open, a number of the "burrows" had shells inside them. Wildlife was also spotted, including an alligator and alligator tracks, numerous herons, and Steve spotted the largest water moccasin he had ever seen in his many years in the outdoors, startled him so much he threw his fossils in the river beating a path back to the boat! Sorry 'bout that, Steve!
Members participating in this long trip were Greg, Jan, Steve, Leisa, Gilbert, Carolyn, Vicki, Nancy and Miss Daisy.
(Photos courtesy Nancy Kenfield, Steve Corvin, and Vicki Lais)
Along the shoreline.
Greg and Steve, getting ready to check out this landing.
Shells in matrix. Sand is wet, and shells will disintegrate at the slightest touch. Careful excavation is essential.
At slightly higher elevations, the shells are dry and hard. Leisa found these.
A representative sampling of shells in this locality.
Shell impressions.
Shell layers in the bank.
Turritella found by Steve.
Sand dollar found by Steve.
Nice collection of sand dollars found by Steve.
Large boulders, appearing to be trace fossils, perhaps burrows.
Many of the burrows had shells inside.
Tooth found by Steve.
Gilbert after a long hard day on the river.
A view of the bluffs, mostly grown over now.
End of another great collecting day!
On the way down, some of us apparently took a wrong fork in the road.... that sign was deceiving.
And we entered into a strange land, populated by the most bizzare critters! (Forkland??)
For scale, note that Vicki is hugging the tin man's leg. Both the ship and car (above) are REAL.
Alabama countryside near Forkland.