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Colorado Prospector - Gem and mineral prospecting and mining forums _ Fossil Finds, Processes, Adventures and Outings _ Leaf Fossils

Posted by: swizz Mar 29 2012, 05:47 PM

Hi all,
I went fishing today and worked one of my fossil layers in the canyon on the way home (NF) to complete my day. happy088.gif
Most of the fauna fossils I find from this location are severely fragmented (not specimen grade) and the matrix is fairly brittle.
This one is nearly a complete leaf (unknown species) in a decent matrix... so I made a keeper out of it. Fun!

Posted by: traddoerr Mar 30 2012, 03:32 PM

that is a great find! we to can't seem to find a complete specimen either. Yours will make for a nice display.

Posted by: russau Mar 31 2012, 05:13 AM

about 42 years ago,when i was in the Army in Europe ,i was out walking with my camara and came upon a hillsdie covered with larger limestone boulders to hold the soil back. i started to take a "shortcut" up them ole rocks when i was about 2/3 the way up i slipped on one of the smaller rocks and banged my knee,and it hurt like......... well it just hurt! as i sat rubbing my knee, i watched that ole rock ,that i slipped on, tumbell down the hillside. i thought to myself,"self,go get that rock and teach it a lesson", so i proceeded back down that hill to "capture" that rock and i was going to throw it to teach it a lesson. well just before i threw it i glanced it over and low and behold it was a perfect slice of a 5 1/2 diameter snail.i forgot its rotation, but i kept it and carried it all darn day in my travels. i kept this ole rock on my shelf forever and for some reason (in all of my moves) i cant find it anymore.maybe it finnaly snuck off???

Posted by: swizz Apr 2 2012, 09:18 AM

Good story russ! laught16.gif

I did a repeat of my last adventure yesterday with good results again. This time I took a friend and we spent about an hour working the layer on the way back from fishing.

This was my only keeper. Very good leaf with sawtooth edges, which can reveal some climate conditions from that period.


This is one of my friend's keepers and it is the first I've seen. It appears to be a fossilized twig from a Spruce tree of some kind. Very interesting and also can reveal climate conditions from the period. I was jealous of this one, find of the day!


These last two pics show the type of material we were working. As you can see it is very rich in fossilization. This is a fairly thick set of layers and just keeps on giving (easy to split). Eventually I hope to find an insect fossil hiding in these layers.... never know. For now I'm happy exploring the ancient plant life.



Posted by: Kevin In Centennial Apr 3 2012, 10:36 PM

(like!)

Posted by: Mrs.CP Apr 4 2012, 07:08 AM

thumbsupsmileyanim.gif I really like the first one you posted, great finds Swizz!

Posted by: swizz Apr 4 2012, 09:12 AM

Thanks my fellow nerds Kev and Denise. happy.gif

More fishing and fossil hunting again tomorrow... hopefully I'll find another keeper.
really really want to find an insect fossil though

Posted by: Mrs.CP Apr 4 2012, 07:33 PM

Have a great time tomorrow! fishing1.gif emoticon-misc-004.gif

With your luck you will do even better than that........You will probably find an insect on a leaf! thumbsupsmileyanim.gif

Posted by: swizz Apr 30 2012, 04:26 PM

Today I started on this wedge of layers


This is a few layers into it.... lots of fossilization in each layer




Here's my keeper for the day. It's a raised fossil of a twig with a couple branches. greensmilies-025.gif Not many people can get excited about finding a twig, it's a good find though. greensmilies-012.gif

Posted by: Woody Apr 30 2012, 09:09 PM

That is some good looking stuff you got going there Chris. I am going to try and "strong arm" you someday and a see if we can't rake up some of those leaves together. Maybe someday we can make a road trip from north to south. Take a couple days off and go on a fossil hunting expedition. I know a lot of secrets about this great state of ours! Have a good one, Woody.

Posted by: swizz May 1 2012, 05:33 AM

We can hit this layer anytime on the way to & from the claims. It's along side of the hwy on NFS managed land (unclaimed of course). thumbsupsmileyanim.gif
Jeep is less than 10ft away from where I'm digging. I would definitely like to come down your way for Shark teeth or Trilobites at some point though!
... and oops - in my initial post I referred to this fossilized area as "fauna". I meant "flora"... have not found any fauna fossilization here yet. slaphead.gif

Posted by: Mrs.CP May 1 2012, 07:14 AM

Awesome finds, especially the branch! That one is definately a keeper! signs021.gif

Posted by: CODIVER May 1 2012, 08:35 PM

very cool, I have found some great shell fossils in glenwood canyon i will try to get some pics up. Have you found anything els in with the leaves?

Posted by: swizz May 2 2012, 06:30 AM

QUOTE (CODIVER @ May 1 2012, 08:35 PM) *
Have you found anything else in with the leaves?


Nothing other than flora fossilization so far but the potential is there.

Posted by: swizz Sep 21 2012, 08:55 PM

This chunk weighs about 25lbs. It has a lot of clustered leaves in it's layers.


The following two pics are both sides of a palm-sized leaf which opened like a book. It is interesting that there are crystallized dendritic formations showing on the matrix at the tip of the leaf.



Posted by: Mrs.CP Sep 22 2012, 07:50 AM

Awesome finds and great pictures Chris! It almost looks like a limb end in the bottom middle picture near the leaf. thumbsupsmileyanim.gif
The dendritic tips look really cool against the leaf. Good job!
SCORE!

smiley-clapping.gif

Posted by: ColoradoProspector Aug 10 2014, 01:29 PM

Some very neat fossils at this spot for sure as the pics already show on page 1. thumbsupsmileyanim.gif Recently I got to visit this spot with Swizz and I actually found a few neat samples myself. We'll definitely have to visit there again.
Here are a few pics of some I brought home, many different types of plant leaf and stem material. I have no idea on the id's of each plant other than what looks to be a large maple leaf.
Each picture hopefully shows the texture each fossil has of the original stem/veining for each plant type too.












Thanks for the fossil stop off Swizz, fun stuff! happy112.gif

Posted by: swizz Aug 11 2014, 06:53 PM

Dan, those look great! In the second pic... I've seen this up there before.... that stalk on the lower portion of the rock, I think it's either Asparagus or Bamboo. The fossilization on the bottom image still looks like Dendrite to me.
It was totally my pleasure to pick that locale with you! I'm so glad we stopped there on our way. I can spend a whole afternoon there getting lost in those layers, so fascinating. Not many people can appreciate a good lil fossil hunting session but a bunch of us here sure can!
I'm uploading a couple pics of my finds shortly....

Posted by: swizz Aug 11 2014, 07:06 PM

These are my keepers from that short dig.

Unknown Fossil
https://flic.kr/p/oDTxVjhttps://flic.kr/p/oDTxVj by https://www.flickr.com/people/121086004@N07/, on Flickr

This is kinda rare for that area, I've only seen one other... either a small fern or pine needles fossilized.
https://flic.kr/p/oFVhXMhttps://flic.kr/p/oFVhXM by https://www.flickr.com/people/121086004@N07/, on Flickr

Posted by: Caveman Aug 11 2014, 08:42 PM

Beautiful finds!

Posted by: Mrs.CP Aug 18 2014, 07:06 AM

Very cool finds guys! You will have to spend more time at that spot next time, think of all those goodies just waiting to be found. thumbsupsmileyanim.gif

Posted by: swizz Apr 7 2015, 07:54 AM

Here are a couple more keepers from the same formation. Was back there having big fun with MikeS and Dave a couple days ago. happy088.gif

https://flic.kr/p/rHxNZ3https://flic.kr/p/rHxNZ3 by https://www.flickr.com/people/121086004@N07/, on Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/rHEExihttps://flic.kr/p/rHEExi by https://www.flickr.com/people/121086004@N07/, on Flickr

Posted by: Crusty Apr 7 2015, 08:21 AM

Awesome! Wish y'all were closer :(

Posted by: swizz Apr 7 2015, 08:30 AM

It is on the way to the claims Crusty so if you ever want to check it out when you're up this way just let me know! We spent less than an hour there and just footsteps away from the vehicle. happy088.gif

Posted by: Crusty Apr 7 2015, 09:31 AM

QUOTE (swizz @ Apr 7 2015, 08:30 AM) *
It is on the way to the claims Crusty so if you ever want to check it out when you're up this way just let me know! We spent less than an hour there and just footsteps away from the vehicle. happy088.gif


Will definitely take you up on that! Would love to check it out!


Posted by: NewRockHounder Apr 9 2015, 12:10 AM

jawdrop.gif

Posted by: joshualoun Apr 9 2015, 11:29 AM

awesome

Posted by: swizz Apr 9 2015, 11:43 AM

Josh, Colin,
You guys are also welcome up here any time. I can put you on a little Gold and a lot of fossils in the same area.

Posted by: Dave S. Jun 23 2015, 04:34 PM

emoticon-object-018.gif Hello all.


Just wanted to show a few pics of the fossils found with Swizz. And one I found previous.

A leaf fossil



A fossil specimen of ancient Horsetail plant ( reed like plant that still grows there today) the two brown splotches above the plant, are cross sections(slices) of the same plant.





A pine cone bud? or a mammal turd?






A piece of wood? Seed pod? or a insect cocoon(butterfly)?




And an almost complete spiral/cone shell fossil from near Green Mtn. Res.








Posted by: Crusty Jun 23 2015, 07:32 PM

If this is close to Swizz's joint, maybe if we get tired of slinging overburden, maybe we can take a field trip to check this area.

Posted by: swizz Aug 27 2015, 09:32 AM

I am rained out from work and heading out to look for some more Flora fossils. I've had VERY few days at all to prospect, mine, or do anything this season due to my biz and family events. I have to take advantage of any day I can (really looking forward to the labor day club outing). Will add pics if I find any keepers today.

Posted by: Crusty Aug 27 2015, 09:34 AM

QUOTE (swizz @ Aug 27 2015, 09:32 AM) *
I am rained out from work and heading out to look for some more Flora fossils. I've had VERY few days at all to prospect, mine, or do anything this season due to my biz and family events. I have to take advantage of any day I can (really looking forward to the labor day club outing). Will add pics if I find any keepers today.





Happy hunting!!


Posted by: swizz Aug 27 2015, 08:01 PM

Wow, it was a glorious day! I found some interesting stuff and will update with pics when I get a chance. thumbsupsmileyanim.gif

Posted by: swizz Sep 14 2015, 06:53 PM

Here are some pics from that little excursion.

This one took about 1.5 hrs of careful extraction.
https://flic.kr/p/yDcn8Mhttps://flic.kr/p/yDcn8M by https://www.flickr.com/photos/121086004@N07/, on Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/yCeEbdhttps://flic.kr/p/yCeEbd by https://www.flickr.com/photos/121086004@N07/, on Flickr

Here's the final extraction. Crusty is now the owner of this one. happy088.gif
https://flic.kr/p/yDWM2ihttps://flic.kr/p/yDWM2i by https://www.flickr.com/photos/121086004@N07/, on Flickr

Not quite as good as the other (missing partial upper left) but a keeper. Rare to find a complete leaf.
https://flic.kr/p/yE1kVZhttps://flic.kr/p/yE1kVZ by https://www.flickr.com/photos/121086004@N07/, on Flickr

Posted by: swizz Sep 14 2015, 06:58 PM

Other finds of interest from the day.

https://flic.kr/p/yCeqK5https://flic.kr/p/yCeqK5 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/121086004@N07/, on Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/yCe8f5https://flic.kr/p/yCe8f5 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/121086004@N07/, on Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/xGaH9mhttps://flic.kr/p/xGaH9m by https://www.flickr.com/photos/121086004@N07/, on Flickr


Posted by: Mrs.CP Sep 15 2015, 11:38 AM

Sweet fossil finds!! That one that Crusty gets is pretty nice, good job extracting them!! smiley-clapping.gif

Posted by: swizz Sep 28 2015, 02:07 PM

Thanks Denise! I took home some rough that I can pick layers apart from this winter. I had a ton of fun that day and am planning to get back there at least one more time before ol man winter returns. Into a good layer there now.

Posted by: Mrs.CP Sep 29 2015, 09:22 AM

greensmilies-012.gif Going to make it a multitask dig day when you head out to remove some overburden on your claim? happy112.gif

Posted by: swizz Sep 29 2015, 10:06 AM

I"m thinking I need to spend a full day at each. emoticon-misc-004.gif

Posted by: swizz Sep 29 2015, 11:09 AM

I have the rest of the day off so I'm gonna go fossil hunting now for the heck of it. thumbsupsmileyanim.gif
Hopefully I can add a few more finds to the thread.

Posted by: Mrs.CP Sep 29 2015, 11:55 AM

You lucky duck!! Have fun out there today and stay safe. Looking forward to seeing more of your fossil finds! char098.gif

Posted by: Crusty Sep 29 2015, 01:12 PM

Here's the final extraction. Crusty is now the owner of this one. happy088.gif https://flic.kr/p/yDWM2ihttps://flic.kr/p/yDWM2i by https://www.flickr.com/photos/121086004@N07/, on Flickr [/quote]

Thanks for the treasure! Would love to check that spot out sometime!


Posted by: swizz Sep 29 2015, 04:58 PM

QUOTE (Crusty @ Sep 29 2015, 01:12 PM) *
Thanks for the treasure! Would love to check that spot out sometime!

Maybe we could meet there on one of the next times we go to the claims. It's only about 30-40 minutes from where I live but you generally travel to the mine from the WY side. I think you would like it.... even for just an hour or so. I spent about 4 hours there today.

Posted by: swizz Sep 29 2015, 05:26 PM

My neighbor Steve came along this time. We prospected new areas without too much luck and then spent a few hours at my old leaf dig which is never disappointing. Here are some pics from today. Really fun!

This is Steve working one of the layers.
https://flic.kr/p/yijgn3https://flic.kr/p/yijgn3 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/121086004@N07/, on Flickr

Here's a great twig bookend that he found.
https://flic.kr/p/zgbRtghttps://flic.kr/p/zgbRtg by https://www.flickr.com/photos/121086004@N07/, on Flickr

Other stuff....
https://flic.kr/p/zfm8dphttps://flic.kr/p/zfm8dp by https://www.flickr.com/photos/121086004@N07/, on Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/yXKgQJhttps://flic.kr/p/yXKgQJ by https://www.flickr.com/photos/121086004@N07/, on Flickr

Posted by: Crusty Sep 30 2015, 07:59 AM

QUOTE (swizz @ Sep 29 2015, 04:58 PM) *
Maybe we could meet there on one of the next times we go to the claims. It's only about 30-40 minutes from where I live but you generally travel to the mine from the WY side. I think you would like it.... even for just an hour or so. I spent about 4 hours there today.



After next week, I've got nothing but time, so I could just ride up there on my bike and meet you!

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