Hi Dave,

Cool fossil!  I am an amateur like you. I did some searching on the web and found an article about brachiopods with spines. Perhaps the author has the knowledge you are after. Also there are some references about identifying similar brachiopods you mentioned. Good luck hunting let me know what you find…[Read more]

Hello Apostoulos,

“Horn coral. Horn coral, any coral of the order Rugosa, which first appeared in the geologic record during the Ordovician Period, which began <b>488 million years ago</b>; the Rugosa persisted through the Permian Period, which ended <b>251 million years ago</b>. (Britannica Encyclopedia)”  I know virtually next to nothing…[Read more]

Possibly a horn coral. Where did you find them?

Perhaps this is a calyx.  Good eye to  pick up this subtle detail. However it is too indistinct to be sure it is a calyx.  Check out some images of better preserved calyx at:https://www.google.com/search?q=crinoid+calyx&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi43eLPlP7YAhXHg-AKHX30CVoQ_AUICigB&biw=1280&bih=630#imgrc=_

Jim

Most definitely crinoids. You could probably also find them in a nearby outcrop.

Jim

Hi Gail,  I have not collected any fossils in the West so I am not very familiar with fossils in that area.  My best guess to get the discussion going is that it is a bone of some kind. (maybe a hoof, but I am very much guessing.)  If I found a similar fossil in a marine sediment I might be tempted to call it a coral, but I think it may be a bo…[Read more]

No poster was attached. I see it now.  Thanks.

The “Poka-dotted” fossils in photos 1&2 are bryozoans.

Jim

Here are some good guides to dinosaur…[Read more]

It is probably not possible with a small piece to identify a dinosaur bone to this level.  There is a good discussion of this on the fossil forum:

http://www.thefossilforum.com/index.php?/topic/38748-could-this-be-real-t-rex-bone/

My only direct experience with dinosaur bones was on a tour of the Gobi desert.  We were told if you licked a rock a…[Read more]

I agree. Where can we go for oysters?

Jim

Yes thanks.

Jim

Hi Lance @lance-comfort,  I am just trying to learn about fossil identification so I think your knowledge base is much greater than mine.  I did do some web searches about Lopha species.  I did find one East Coast citation in North Carolina for Lopha frons

http://discoverlife.org/mp/20q?guide=Mollusca_Bivalvia_species&flags=HAS:

Also checking fu…[Read more]

Thank you Eleanor for a wonderful webinar series.  I am glad for your email on how to become certified by listening to the webinars online and making a comment here on each webinar.

I have watched each webinar online and here are my comments and questions:

Session 1 (Fossil Collecting):  Nice to hear how important how amateur paleontologist is t…[Read more]

Lance,

I agree it looks like some kind of bone, especially in your close up views.  Look at this website showing microscopic images of bones.  https://www.pinterest.com/pin/311241024224539876/

Some place like the Smithsonian could help you to identify it.  Keep us posted.

Jim

How heavy is it?  Does it float?