May be my last fossil outing of the 2010 year as the weather is due to change any day.... and what a day it was!
Set out with GB and good friend Lebowski for some Grand County fossil hunting today. We hit 5 or 6 spots where layers were exposed on a new area which GB had found fossil evidence previously. Every spot was productive and the matrix varied.
We didn't find many keepers but still some really cool stuff.

GB and Lebowski searching the loose rock layers on the hillside


Many un-salvageable fossilized clusters like this


Here's a nice page that Lebowski found


Some unknown fossilized organics next two pics



continued......

Here's an interesting piece that I found



Jeff spent a little time at this spot....... hmmmmm


..... and found this! Nearly complete leaf. Very nice.


I have a few specimens which I took home and will have to photograph tomorrow. One of them is interesting and peculiar.

Sweet finds you guys! What a great day you had out there and thanks for sharing the pics and adventure with us all.
We will all be looking forward to the rest of the story when you get the others cleaned and photographed too.

CP

i saw a show the other day and a man was trying to sell a "Mazon Creek" fossil. and he metioned Illinois. this peeked my interest and i did a search for it and low sand behold it was close to me(somewhat) . i may have to do a road trip next spring/summer to aquire some of these.lots more research to do yet! my wife was wanting to goto Nevada to dig their fossils in the winter while it was relatively tolerent temps. but this is much closer and the temps are fine!

Ok, here are a few more pics.

This is my mystery piece.... something with roots or marine life? I haven't seen this before.


Large leaf that was different from the rest, it has nice color


A fair pair


... and a nice lil' Dendritic formation

Great finds guys! Definately looked liked a fun day! Your Large leaf that is different from the rest almost looks like a maple leaf.
Thanks for sharing the pics and adventure with us Swizz! Sure makes one want to go out and rake up the leaves so to speak before winter.