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You probably think this is just a bunch of rocks. Maybe even leverites, as in leave it right there. But you’d be wrong.
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OK, I’ve been promising fossils for a while. It’s only been a week and a half since I went camping and fossil hunting at Marble View in the Kaibab National Forest.
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Worm castings on veranda wall
After I give a geology talk I encourage Grand Canyon visitors to look for fossils on the walls of the lodge and veranda while I put props away. Then I lead a fossil walk part way out Bright Angel trail.
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Bright Angel Trail
Kaibab limestone makes up the top layer of rock walked on here at Grand Canyon National Park. It was deposited about 270 million years ago when an ocean covered southern New Mexico and most of Arizona, Utah and Nevada. Many marine fossils can be seen.
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Brachiopods are ocean bottom dwelling bi-valves yet are not related to clams or oysters. They were the most plentiful fossil on earth from the Paleozoic Era yet are rare in today’s oceans having never fully recovered from the devastation that occurred during the end of the Permian.
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Kaibab limestone makes up the top layer of rock walked on here at Grand Canyon National Park. It was deposited about 270 million years ago when an ocean covered southern New Mexico and most of Arizona, Utah and Nevada. Many marine fossils can be seen.
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Brachiopods are ocean bottom dwelling bi-valves yet are not related to clams or oysters. They were the most plentiful fossil on earth from the Paleozoic Era yet are rare in today’s oceans having never fully recovered from the devastation that occurred during the end of the Permian.
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Sponge fossil in limestone and small fan coral on lower left corner
Sponges are also bottom dwellers and the simplest form of multi-cellular animals. Sponges feed, breath, reproduce and excrete by pumping water through the pores in their bodies. They vary in color, shape and size.
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Crinoids, also known as sea lilies or feather-stars, have a stem formed of many stacked discs and grow in colonies on the ocean floor. The stem is topped with multiple feather-like feeding arms that filter small particles of food from the water.
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The button-like crinoids have long been gathered and used for beads. Archeologists excavating at the Grand Canyon discovered crinoids strung by the Ancestral Puebloan Native Americans that lived here about 1000 years ago.
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A work in progress
So I’m going to string some of my fossil finds along with some turquoise. That is if I ever get off the computer long enough.
For more glimpses into life around the world go to My World Tuesday by clicking here.
Sponges are also bottom dwellers and the simplest form of multi-cellular animals. Sponges feed, breath, reproduce and excrete by pumping water through the pores in their bodies. They vary in color, shape and size.
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Crinoids, also known as sea lilies or feather-stars, have a stem formed of many stacked discs and grow in colonies on the ocean floor. The stem is topped with multiple feather-like feeding arms that filter small particles of food from the water.
.jpg)
The button-like crinoids have long been gathered and used for beads. Archeologists excavating at the Grand Canyon discovered crinoids strung by the Ancestral Puebloan Native Americans that lived here about 1000 years ago.
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A work in progress
So I’m going to string some of my fossil finds along with some turquoise. That is if I ever get off the computer long enough.
For more glimpses into life around the world go to My World Tuesday by clicking here.
Very interesting. I never think of an ocean once covering that part of the country. I hope you'll show your finished project.
Oh WOW!! What a super interestng post Gaelyn. I would LOVE to go fossil hunting there. It is so exciting to find something but of course you have to know what to look for. Things like spear points are often missed because they look like a chip of stone which of course they are. LOL!!
That necklace is going to be terrific!!
What a rich full life you lead,Gaelyn. Fossil hunting is the most fun you can have that includes walking. I have some scattered around the house which we found up in the mountains of the Haute Province and somewhere I have a sea urchin that I found on the beach years ago. Amazing to think they are millions of years old.
Oh what a great collection. You have really brought back the memories of my childhood looking for stuff that I wouldn't find here..LOL…
Nice one Gaelyn, I like the worm castings.
I've personally not found much except a petrified oyster and some opal chips and smoky quartz crystals.
Ooooh! Great collection and work. So interesting.
Fascinating, Gaelyn! What a great post and terrific shots! What a beautiful world you live in, too!
You do have a great life Gaelyn, living in nature as you do. And I can imagine that it's like a treasure hunt linking you to the past when you find a fossil. Very interesting post and photos!
I wish I lived close enough to go to there and see all of the beauty and wonderful fossils. Someday maybe.
Great post, I seem to recall taking a fossil walk down the Kaibab many years ago. One of the most interestin and informative ranger hikes I can remember.
a good monday ms. gaelyn…did enjoy the fossil post very much. and do share your work of art when you get it strung!
have a lovely evening.
hugs
Wow, fascinating fossils post! How lucky those visitors are who get to hear your geology talk and look for fossils on the walls. Your turquoise and crinoid project looks cool.
You had some great finds! The crinoid/turquoise necklace will be lovely and meaningful. I didn't know the Native Americans would string these fossils as beads. Interesting post with great photos.
Gaelyn: What neat finds you have made, go girl.
Great post. We have fond fossils (brachiopods I think, but not sure) in the Sandia Mountains of New Mexico. Very cool.
How cool is that. I remember my nephew when he was little he loved to collect rock and always talked about being a geologist/archeologist. He joined the Navy instead. Now, he's out.
Very fascinating post. Gaelyn. It looks like you had fun. I know what you mean aobut getting off the computer. I haven't even eaten my lunch yet! Yikes!
Totally loved your guided fossil walk! They are certainly a unique piece of Nature's artwork!
Fascinating, Gaelyn. I bet these are really cool in person. 🙂
Beautiful pictures and very interesting. I'm sure you get tired of the computer now and then so I look forward to see the finished necklace!
Wonderful post !!!
Fossil hunting can be so much fun. It's quite incredible, holding in your hand, something that was alive many 1000's of years ago..
Hope you show your necklace once it is finished..
This was a fascinating post and great photographs.
Wonderful post. So much great information. I've always found fossils fascinating. History to be read if we know how. Thanks so much!
You're certainly very knowledgeable – I bet you're a great guide. Fossils are fascinating – 200 million years? Can't even wrap my brain around that.
Interesting. Tourist are allowed to take their geological finds?
oh what an interesting post and I am sure that's going to be a marvellous necklace
Fascinating! I've learned so much today from your post, thank you. Also, can't wait to see your finished project 🙂
Gaelyn, I never thought of making jewelry out of fossils — what a neat idea and a great part of your world to share.
Fascinating world that you live and travel in! To think of the ocean covering that part of the world in the past makes the current worrying about the ocena rising a few feet seem like small potatoes.
When I have my students study the earth history I always refer to the rich geologic history of the Grand Canyon. great photos.
Just think how old those fossils are! It reminds us how small and insignificant we are…
Fascinating post and loved the photos also. I always head over to see the fossils on museum visits. The thought of how old they are is mind boggling.
That looks so interesting! I think Joan and I will have to plan a trip to visit you after you have been to SA so we can fossil hunt!
Hi Gaelyn,
Great fossil finds and interesting post! Your necklace will not only be beautiful but will contain memories of the Canyon. Extra special!
Cool necklace. Did you make that pattern? I imagine a "kit", if that is what it is, would be a great gift for my mom…
On August 7th, one of my blogger friends just posted a picture of a fossil or rock that was found in her father's farm field. Please take a look and see if it looks like something petrified.Thank you….love your blog!
http://jackie-teacherspet.blogspot.com/You can find her blog at:
Would love your input on this rock Daddy plowed up years and years ago.
Smiles,
Jackie
Somehow I missed this post Gealyn, but it came up today (Oct20) with the LinkWithin. Beautiful! Had no idea there were so many fossils to be found fairly close by.
You're right "if I can get off the computer long enough!"
Great Crinoids , Don't try to take them from the beach in the indiana dunes national lake shore, we have a new comendant / whatever .. I have collected crinoids on the indiana beaches for 45 yrs. some people in the area had to remove there art work for fear of the new NPS Leader here In NW IN.. luv the ones with stars in the center. jjmc