Tylosaurus

A very large group of 31 people showed up for the July BPS trip to Greene county. Thanks to James Lamb, our trip leader this time, we visited some Cretaceous sites that we have not visited for at least 10 years, so we were all pretty excited. The first site was a chalk gully which has produced nice mosasaur bones in years past. James Lamb gave a short training session on how to collect in chalk gullies, how to walk around in them (slowly and gently), how to collect (when you find something, look up-hill to see if there are more), and other collecting tips. There are numerous pieces of what looks like rubble scattered throughout a gully - each piece of "rubble" is actually part of a fossil, though most of them are unrecognizable without close examination, sometimes under a microscope. James Lamb checked some areas where fossils had been found in the past, and discovered another bone, which was flagged so that it could be retrieved on the way out. Bob found a bone which turned out to be part of a turtle. Also, we found a wide variety of other fossils, including another mosasaur vertebra, a couple of mosasaur teeth, Tylosaurus flipper bone, several shark teeth, including a large one found by Sylvie. Ammonite pieces, worm tubes, burrows, a tiny fish tooth, a fish vertebra, and oyster shells were also found. One member asked James to go check some bones she had flagged; he discovered they were bones of a recent rabbit, and as he was approaching her to return the flag, he asked "Are you keeping that mosasaur vertebra there by your foot?" Well . . . She would've had she seen it first! Many fossils are light colored and blend in well with the environment. It takes time to adjust ones eyes to be able to spot them. We also discovered some fresher fish bones, leading to the conclusion that the birds who regularly raid the catfish farms have been using the gulley as their dining hall. Though we were hot and dripping wet, we were willing to stay longer, wondering what was in the next gully, and the next, and . . .

After rounding up the gang (which is a minor miracle in itself!), we hiked back to our vehicles for lunches, then headed for the creek. Finally, time to get wet and cool off! Out with the sieves, from collander baskets to "real" geology sorters, to home made wood-sided screens. At least a dozen ptychodus teeth turned up - Claire may be the "winner" on these, she had found 6 at last count. Every screen we searched had several shark teeth, and other fossils were also found, including a large fish vertebra, gastropod steinkerns (internal molds), worm tubes, and one very nice arrowhead. We left relatively early (hey, some of us would have stayed til dark if we could have!), and many of us stopped by a famous BBQ joint to continue the fun and fossil discussion.

--Edited by Vicki Lais

(photos courtesy Bob Stewart, Steve Corvin and Vicki Lais)

James Lamb gives a refresher talk on rules about collecting at museum sites, BPS ethics, and landowner restrictions.

Typical Greene County, Alabama chalk gully.

James Lamb explaining gully collection techniques.

Even the younger members had fun.

Flipper bone of a Tylosaurus found by James Lamb.

Many "pieces" are scattered throughtout the gully, and according to James Lamb, they are all fossils.

Small piece of turtle shell found by Bob.

Some typical fossils found in chalk gullies - one finds hundreds of worm tubes, and only a few shark teeth.

Shark teeth are "normal" to find in gullies, but Sylvie found one whose size is truly spectacular for these gullies!

Large ammonite section found by Vicki.

Mosasaur vertebra found by James Lamb (right beside Vicki's foot, darn it!)

Fish vertebra.

Nice mosasaur tooth.

Another piece of ammonite.

Small mosasaur vertebra found by Leisa as we were leaving the gullies "Everybody just stepped right over it or passed it by without noticing".

After lunch we headed to the creek to screen for teeth and whatever else we might find.

One of the many ptychodus teeth found in the creek.

Typical finds after washing the sand/mud from the gravel - notice the shark teeth and the piece of bone.

Another load of "pay dirt" - fish vertebra, shark teeth, ptychodus tooth.

Closer shot of the fish vertebra.

Nice internal mold of a gastropod.

A laid back group, keeping cool, having fun. There were various groupings of people all along the creek - some went upstream, some went downstream. James Lamb is collecting material to be used in an upcoming exhibit at McWane Science Center.

How many shark teeth can you see in this picture?

Sample of teeth found by Bob.

Wesley found a very nice point.

Headed home after a wonderfully pleasant day of collecting!