Earth Science Club of Northern Illinois - ESCONI

ESCONI Field Trip to Rockford-area Gravel Pit, Saturday, July 17th, 2021 #fieldtrip #fossil #illinois #Rockford #ordovician

There will be a field trip to a gravel pit in the Rockford area on July 17th, 2021. This is the same location that has been visited before. Because this is a shared trip with the Rockford club (RRVGMS) there is space for 15 ESCONI members. The trip will be from 9 AM to 12 noon.

1. You and everyone in your group must be a member of ESCONI by July 14th. Have your membership status resolved by then.
2. The minimum age to attend this trip is 18 years old.
3. Hard hats are required!
4. You will be required to sign a waiver from the quarry.
5. Please review the Code of Ethics and Conduct on the ESCONI website. You will be expected to sign-in at the quarry. By signing you agree to follow the Code of Ethics and the conditions on the ESCONI Liability and Waiver form (sent by email to those that sign up). You do not need to print out the waiver form, just know what you’re agreeing to.
6. ESCONI members can sign up by sending me (Dave) an email with the number of members attending and their names. My email is fossil54@att.net No phone calls please. Do not call the quarry. I will acknowledge by return email. If you don't get a reply in 24 hours, send it again!

I will send the address to everyone signed up during the week prior to the trip.

Note: this is a sand and gravel quarry, not the usual hard rock quarry in Rockford. There are fossils, but they come from the glacial till. So, if you are in the mood for a general rock collecting trip, this is for you!

 

Throwback Thursday #63: Field Trip to Lone Star Quarry on April 7th, 2002 #ThrowbackThursday #TBT #history #fieldtrip #fossil #illinois #ottawa

This is Throwback Thursday #63.  In these, we look back into the past at ESCONI specifically and Earth Science in general.  If you have any contributions, (science, pictures, stories, etc ...), please sent them to esconi.info@gmail.com.  Thanks!

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In April 2002, ESCONI had a field trip to Lone Star Quarry near Oglesby, IL.  It looks like a rainy, muddy day.  That trip was part of a yearly series to Lone Star.  In some years, ESCONI had both spring and fall trips. Unfortunately, the trips ended in the late 2000's after an unrelated boating accident on the Illinois River.  Not long after the accident, the quarry closed.  Collecting at this fossil locality was always productive as the quarry exposed Pennsylvanian rock layers that were very fossiliferous.  Brachiopods, crinoids, sponges, trilobites, cephalopods, and even shark teeth were plentiful.  The State of Illinois purchased the Lone Star in October 2018, and there is now a proposal to turn it into a Fossil Park.

For more information, try our previous Lone Star posts in Flashback Friday and Throwback Thursday.

 

ESCONI July 2021 Junior Field Trip - Dave's Down to Earth Rock Shop Saturday, July 12th, 2021 10 AM #earthscience #collecting #rocks #rockshop #paleontology #fieldtrip

Hello juniors families,

 

I am planning a field trip, for juniors families only, on July 12th.  To start the morning out we will meet at a Home Depot in Evanston, IL at 10:00.  There we will have a scavenger hunt to determine  what items, for sale in the store, are made of rocks and minerals that are obtained from nature.   Here your child can earn check marks for an earth resources achievement badge.

 

Then we will walk from the parking lot of Home Depot to Northshore Sculpture Park which is a 17 minute walk.  After viewing sculptures and possibly picking up food at a nearby Greek restaurant we will eat lunch in the park. Then we will walk back to the Home Depot parking lot where we will get in our cars and leave to go to our second attraction.

 

From Home Depot we will drive to the very impressive Dave's Down to Earth Rock Shop, also in Evanston, IL.  We will spend a half hour in the basement on  a tour of the paleontological museum displays.  Then we will go upstairs to the main gift shop and do a brief tour.  At that point everyone can leave whenever they want. I'm expecting that to be no later than 2:00.

 

In order to attend this field trip you must be a member of ESCONI and you must be a junior or a family member of a junior.  You also must sign up with me prior to July 1st. Our limit is 30 people.

 

I will send more detailed instructions on July 1st.  

 

Sincerely,

Scott Galloway

Juniors Program Chair

ESCONI

cell 630-670-2591

 

Mazon Monday #63: Braceville Field Trip Report #fossil #MazonCreek #MazonMonday #paleontology #illinois #fieldtrip

This is Mazon Monday post #63.  What's your favorite Mazon Creek fossil?  Tell us at email:esconi.info@gmail.com.

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This spring’s field trip to the Braceville spoil pile started as a cool, cloudy day with a chance of rain. 45 members chanced the weather to collect Mazon Creek fossil concretions.  Around 10:30, a steady, but light, drizzle fell and continued on and off until after lunch. This drizzle and rain from a few days before washed away dirt and clay which exposed many concretions, which made surface collecting a little easier. The rain didn’t stop a Scarlet Tanager from visiting participants during lunch. By the end of the day, the clay had turned to gumbo, which made everyone's boots feel about ten pounds heavier.

Sunday’s weather was a complete opposite from Saturday's. Cloudy at first, after which it cleared to a wonderful sunny, spring day.  There were 46 members climbing the hill on Sunday. Chuck Nicchia, a long time ESCONI member, brought his new drone.  Along with the traditional photos, taken by few participants, below are a couple images from his flight around the spoil pile. Those photos provide a new point of view of old worm hill.  Thank you so much Chuck!

This spring’s fossil donations were provided by the Kruty family, Andrew Young, and Marie Angkuw.  Both young and old alike went through these donation and were able to bring home a few (already open!) fossils. Some of the fossils and iron pyrite provided by Andrew and Marie were from their last few trips to England.  Included in the donated material were shells, crinoid stems, and cephalopod parts, which are not a part of the Mazon Creek fauna. 

Both regulars and newbies alike had success digging into the ridge lines, finding concretions in both the eroded areas and in situ.  Finding a concretion in situ can lead to finding multiple as they usually come in small bunches relatively close together. 

The freeze/thaw method is the best way to get a concretion to reveal its fossil.  Soak them in water for a few days and then place the container in a freezer.  Once the water has penetrated the rock, the process of freezing (through the formation of ice crystals) may cause the rock to split along the fossil plane, which is usually an area of weakness in the concretion.  To read more, have a look at Mazon Monday #27 "Care and Feeding of Your Mazon Creek Fossil Concretions".

Many of the donations are visible at the feet of our young adventurers.  As they looked through the loot, there were many questions for Andrew and Keith. Is this a fossil?  What is this?

The next few photos were taken by Chuck's drone.

A family digging for fossil treasure!

This next photo invokes memories of old-time photos from gold rush, where the miners trekked up tall ridges to the gold fields in Alaska.

The hill has shrunk, but it's still there for another visit in the fall!

ESCONI Field Trip to Belvidere Quarry - June 26th, 2021 #fieldtrip #fossil #Illinois #quarry #fossilcollecting #ordovician

Belvidere, IL Quarry Field Trip

There will be a field trip to a quarry near Belvidere, Illinois on Saturday, June 26, 2021, from 9AM to 12 noon.

The rock is Ordovician, Galena Group. This is a "hard-rock" quarry (dolomite). If you like Hormotoma or Receptaculites, this is the place for you! The quarry has been active so there is new rock exposed.

If you are sick, have symptoms of covid or have tested positive recently, DON'T COME.
 
Rules

1. Everyone in your group MUST be an ESCONI member as of June 21, 2021.
2. Everyone in your group MUST be at least 18 years of age.
3. Everyone MUST have and wear a hard hat, safety vest, and sturdy boots while in the quarry. No sandals, tennis shoes, and the like. No claw hammers or roofing hammers - use only rock hammers. If you plan on hammering then bring eye protection and wear it.
4. This is a quarry and social distancing should not be a problem. If you are uncomfortable being around others then bring a mask and wear it.
5. Sign up by sending me (Dave) an email with the number of members attending and their names. My email is fossil54@att.net.   No phone calls please.
6. I will acknowledge by return email. If you don't get a reply in 24 hours, send it again!
7. Maximum attendance by ESCONI members is 15. This is a shared trip with the Rock River Valley Gem and Mineral Society.
8. Please review the Code of Ethics and Conduct on the ESCONI website. You will be expected to check-in at the quarry. By doing so you agree to follow the Code of Ethics and the conditions on the ESCONI Liability and Waiver form (sent by email to those that sign up). You do not need to print out the ESCONI waiver form, just know what you’re agreeing to. There may be an additional waiver from the quarry.   

The address of the quarry will be sent to those that sign up a few days before the trip.

I will distribute the waiver forms by email to those signed up just before the trip.
 
Questions? Send me an email at fossil54@att.net.

Trip Full! ESCONI Field Trip to Danville Shale Pile Fossils - Saturday, June 5th, 2021 #fossils #fossil #FieldTrip #Carboniferous #Illinois #coal #fern #plants #MazonCreek

Sorry, for now this trip is full!

Danville Field Trip Rules

An ESCONI field trip to the Danville Shale Pile for Pennsylvanian plant fossils is scheduled for June 5, 2021 from 10 AM to 3 PM. This is on private property and there is an attendance limit of 20 people. The gate will be secured once we are in and locked when we leave at 3 PM.

You must register to go on this trip. See rule 7 below for instructions. This is the only way to register.

If you are sick, have any symptoms of Covid-19 or have recently tested positive, DO NOT COME.

Everyone MUST have a face mask and wear it if less than 6 feet from another person.

1. The minimum age is 18 years old. Registration ends at midnight June 1st.
2. You and everyone in your party must be members of ESCONI. No membership dues will be accepted at the field trip site. Have your membership status resolved before the trip, no later than June 1st. You can pay dues by mailing a check, or with a credit card using the PayPal link on the ESCONI website.
3. You will be required to check-in at the collecting site. By attending, you agree to follow the ESCONI Code of Ethics and Conduct (available on the ESCONI website) and agree to the
   conditions set forth in the ESCONI Accident Waiver and Release of Liability Form (sent by email to those that register). You don’t need to print it out, just know what you’re agreeing to.
4. The collecting site is in Vermilion County. If Vermilion County’s covid status slips back from phase 4 to phase 3, the trip will be canceled.
5. The pile is a mixture of “Red dog” shale (bisque fired shale), gray shale and black shale. You’ll be collecting from loose shale which can be hard and sharp. If you decide to dig for concretions, it is much like Braceville, though concretions are less common. Sturdy boots are highly recommended as are gloves. Wear eye protection if using a hammer.
6. Parts of the pile are unstable. You must not go into areas marked with flags/caution tape. Anyone found beyond the markers will be asked to leave and may not be allowed to sign up for future field trips.
7. Sign up for the trip by sending me (Dave) an email with your name and the number of members attending. I will acknowledge by return email within 24 hours. If you don’t hear from me in that
   time, send it again! My email is fossil54@att.net
8. If the trip is full I will keep a waiting list in case there are cancellations. If you are signed up and can’t make it, please let me know.

I will send a map to those that register a few days before the trip. The driving distance is significant.  Depending on where you live, it could take 2 to 4 hours to get there.

 

ESCONI Field Trip to Danville Shale Pile Fossils - Saturday, June 5th, 2021 #fossils #fossil #FieldTrip #Carboniferous #Illinois #coal #fern #plants #MazonCreek

Danville Field Trip Rules

An ESCONI field trip to the Danville Shale Pile for Pennsylvanian plant fossils is scheduled for June 5, 2021 from 10 AM to 3 PM. This is on private property and there is an attendance limit of 20 people. The gate will be secured once we are in and locked when we leave at 3 PM.

You must register to go on this trip. See rule 7 below for instructions. This is the only way to register.

If you are sick, have any symptoms of Covid-19 or have recently tested positive, DO NOT COME.

Everyone MUST have a face mask and wear it if less than 6 feet from another person.

1. The minimum age is 18 years old. Registration ends at midnight June 1st.
2. You and everyone in your party must be members of ESCONI. No membership dues will be accepted at the field trip site. Have your membership status resolved before the trip, no later than June 1st. You can pay dues by mailing a check, or with a credit card using the PayPal link on the ESCONI website.
3. You will be required to check-in at the collecting site. By attending, you agree to follow the ESCONI Code of Ethics and Conduct (available on the ESCONI website) and agree to the
   conditions set forth in the ESCONI Accident Waiver and Release of Liability Form (sent by email to those that register). You don’t need to print it out, just know what you’re agreeing to.
4. The collecting site is in Vermilion County. If Vermilion County’s covid status slips back from phase 4 to phase 3, the trip will be canceled.
5. The pile is a mixture of “Red dog” shale (bisque fired shale), gray shale and black shale. You’ll be collecting from loose shale which can be hard and sharp. If you decide to dig for concretions, it is much like Braceville, though concretions are less common. Sturdy boots are highly recommended as are gloves. Wear eye protection if using a hammer.
6. Parts of the pile are unstable. You must not go into areas marked with flags/caution tape. Anyone found beyond the markers will be asked to leave and may not be allowed to sign up for future field trips.
7. Sign up for the trip by sending me (Dave) an email with your name and the number of members attending. I will acknowledge by return email within 24 hours. If you don’t hear from me in that
   time, send it again! My email is fossil54@att.net
8. If the trip is full I will keep a waiting list in case there are cancellations. If you are signed up and can’t make it, please let me know.

I will send a map to those that register a few days before the trip. The driving distance is significant.  Depending on where you live, it could take 2 to 4 hours to get there.

 

Trip Full! ESCONI Field Trip to Braceville, IL for Mazon Creek Fossils - Saturday, May 15th and May 16th, 2021 #MazonCreek #fossils #fossil #FieldTrip

The Spring Field Trip to Braceville is full!  We are still accepting reservations for the waiting list.

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Braceville Field Trip Rules
May 2021

The ESCONI field trips to Braceville for Mazon Creek fossils are set for May 15th and 16th, 2021 from 8 AM to 2 PM.

You can attend one or both days. There is an attendance limit of 50 people each day. You must register to go on this trip. See rule 7 below for instructions. This is the only way to register.

If you are sick, have any symptoms of Covid-19 or have recently tested positive, DO NOT COME.

Everyone MUST have a face mask and wear it if less than 6 feet from another person.

1. Families are welcome, but the minimum age is 5 years old. Children must be supervised at all times by their parent or guardian. Registration ends at midnight May 8th .
2. You and everyone in your party must be members of ESCONI. No membership dues will be accepted at the field trip site. Have your membership status resolved before the trip, no later than May 8th . You can pay dues by mailing a check, or with a credit card using the PayPal link on the ESCONI website.
3. You will be required to check-in at the collecting site. By attending, you agree to follow the ESCONI Code of Ethics and Conduct (available on the ESCONI website) and agree to the
   conditions set forth in the ESCONI Accident Waiver and Release of Liability Form (sent by email to those that register). You don’t need to print it out, just know what you’re agreeing to.
4. The collecting site is in Grundy County. If Grundy County’s covid status slips back from phase 4 to phase 3, the trip will be canceled.
5. You’re going to be digging in dirt and mud – dress accordingly! You may want to bring a shovel, pickaxe, trowel, or hammer. Use only a rock hammer, not a claw hammer or roofing hammer. If you decide to hammer on something, use eye protection. There may also be insects and poison ivy. Hard hats are not required. Bring a bucket to carry your fossils in. Gloves are strongly recommended. The collecting site is an old spoil pile on private property. There may be old rusty tools or other iron pieces embedded in the pile. Sliding down the hill could be very painful.
6. The top of the pile is unstable and not safe to stand on. Do not go above the flags/caution tape markers. Anyone found above the markers will be asked to leave and may not be allowed to sign up for future field trips.
7. Sign up for the trip by sending me (Dave) an email with your name, the number of members attending and the day(s) you are attending. I will acknowledge by return email within 24 hours. If
   you don’t hear from me in that time, send it again! My email is fossil54@att.net
8. If the trip is full I will keep a waiting list in case there are cancellations. If you are signed up and can’t make it, please let me know.

Meet at 8 AM at the entrance to the collecting site on S Berta Road, just east of the intersection with Division St (Braceville IL). A nearby landmark for driving directions is the Braceville Gardner Cemetery, 7295 East Braceville Road, Braceville. I can send a small map to anyone that needs it.

 

 

 

ESCONI Field Trip to Braceville, IL for Mazon Creek Fossils - Saturday, May 15th and May 16th, 2021 #MazonCreek #fossils #fossil #FieldTrip

Braceville Field Trip Rules
May 2021

The ESCONI field trips to Braceville for Mazon Creek fossils are set for May 15th and 16th, 2021 from 8 AM to 2 PM.

You can attend one or both days. There is an attendance limit of 50 people each day. You must register to go on this trip. See rule 7 below for instructions. This is the only way to register.

If you are sick, have any symptoms of Covid-19 or have recently tested positive, DO NOT COME.

Everyone MUST have a face mask and wear it if less than 6 feet from another person.

1. Families are welcome, but the minimum age is 5 years old. Children must be supervised at all times by their parent or guardian. Registration ends at midnight May 8th .
2. You and everyone in your party must be members of ESCONI. No membership dues will be accepted at the field trip site. Have your membership status resolved before the trip, no later than May 8th . You can pay dues by mailing a check, or with a credit card using the PayPal link on the ESCONI website.
3. You will be required to check-in at the collecting site. By attending, you agree to follow the ESCONI Code of Ethics and Conduct (available on the ESCONI website) and agree to the
   conditions set forth in the ESCONI Accident Waiver and Release of Liability Form (sent by email to those that register). You don’t need to print it out, just know what you’re agreeing to.
4. The collecting site is in Grundy County. If Grundy County’s covid status slips back from phase 4 to phase 3, the trip will be canceled.
5. You’re going to be digging in dirt and mud – dress accordingly! You may want to bring a shovel, pickaxe, trowel, or hammer. Use only a rock hammer, not a claw hammer or roofing hammer. If you decide to hammer on something, use eye protection. There may also be insects and poison ivy. Hard hats are not required. Bring a bucket to carry your fossils in. Gloves are strongly recommended. The collecting site is an old spoil pile on private property. There may be old rusty tools or other iron pieces embedded in the pile. Sliding down the hill could be very painful.
6. The top of the pile is unstable and not safe to stand on. Do not go above the flags/caution tape markers. Anyone found above the markers will be asked to leave and may not be allowed to sign up for future field trips.
7. Sign up for the trip by sending me (Dave) an email with your name, the number of members attending and the day(s) you are attending. I will acknowledge by return email within 24 hours. If
   you don’t hear from me in that time, send it again! My email is fossil54@att.net
8. If the trip is full I will keep a waiting list in case there are cancellations. If you are signed up and can’t make it, please let me know.

Meet at 8 AM at the entrance to the collecting site on S Berta Road, just east of the intersection with Division St (Braceville IL). A nearby landmark for driving directions is the Braceville Gardner Cemetery, 7295 East Braceville Road, Braceville. I can send a small map to anyone that needs it.

 

 

 

Mazon Monday #26: Braceville Field Trip Report #fossils #MazonCreek

This is Mazon Monday post #26.  What's your favorite Mazon Creek fossil?  Tell us at email:esconi.info@gmail.com.

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The weather could not have been better for the annual Fall trip to Braceville, IL for Mazon Creek concretions this past weekend.  For both days, we had lows in the 50s and highs around 70 degrees.  There were 51 participants on Saturday and 42 on Sunday, with 9 of those on Sunday from the Kalamazoo Geological and Mineral Society (KGMS).  Thanks for joining us!

We had several donations of fossils.  Most notable was the donation from Ralph Jewell, Thanks!  He donated several buckets of concretions, Mississippian fossils, Ordovician fossils, Pliocene fossils, and some fossils from Morocco.  Hopefully, people won't be too confused with their findings!  Everyone went home with something... be it finds from the spoil pile or the donated fossils.

There is a great field trip report by Ralph Jewell on the Fossil Forum.  If you aren't a member over there, you are really missing out on some great information and discussions.  Sign up... it's free!  You will learn more than you ever imagined about fossils and their place in the natural world!

Here are a couple videos of the distribution of donated material on Saturday.

Sunday.

Here is a photo of the hill... it's shrunk since my first visit in 2004.

A view from the top

Various photos from the day

ESCONI Field Trip to Braceville - Saturday, September 19th and Sunday September 20th, 2020 #MazonCreek #fossils

Braceville Field Trip Rules - Sept 2020

The ESCONI field trips to Braceville for Mazon Creek fossils are set for Sept 19 and 20, 2020 from 8 AM to 2 PM. You can attend either (but not both) day(s). There is an attendance limit of 50 people each day.

If you are sick, have any symptoms of Covid-19 or have tested positive, DO NOT COME!

Everyone MUST have a face mask and wear it if less than 6 feet from another person.

1. Families are welcome, but the minimum age is 5 years old. Children must be supervised at all times by their parent or guardian. Registration ends at midnight Sept 16 th .
2. You and everyone in your party must be members of ESCONI. No membership dues will be accepted at the field trip site. Have your membership status resolved before the trip, no later than Sept 16th. You can pay dues by mailing a check, or with a credit card using the PayPal link on the ESCONI website.
3. You will be required to check-in at the collecting site. By attending, you agree to follow the ESCONI Code of Ethics and Conduct (available on the ESCONI website) and agree to the
   conditions set forth in the ESCONI Accident Waiver and Release of Liability Form (sent by email to those that register). You don’t need to print it out, just know what you’re agreeing to.
4. The collecting site is in Grundy County. If Grundy County’s covid status slips back from phase 4 to phase 3, the trip will be canceled.
5. You’re going to be digging in dirt and mud – dress accordingly! You may want to bring a shovel, pickaxe, trowel, or hammer. Use only a rock hammer, not a claw hammer or roofing hammer. If you decide to hammer on something, use eye protection. There may also be insects and poison ivy. Hard hats are not required. Bring a bucket to carry your fossils in. Gloves are strongly recommended. The collecting site is an old spoil pile on private property. There may be old rusty tools or other iron pieces embedded in the pile. Sliding down the hill could be very painful.
6. The top of the pile is unstable and not safe to stand on. Do not go above the flags/caution tape markers. Anyone found above the markers will be asked to leave and may not be allowed to sign up for future field trips.
7. Sign up for the trip by sending me (Dave) an email with your name, the number of members attending and the day you are attending. I will acknowledge by return email within 24 hours. If you don’t hear from me in that time, send it again! My email is fossil54@att.net
8. If the trip is full I will keep a waiting list in case there are cancellations. If you are signed up and can’t make it, please let me know.

Meet at 8 AM at the entrance to the collecting site on S Berta Road, just east of the intersection with Division St (Braceville IL). A nearby landmark for driving directions is the Braceville Gardner Cemetery, 7295 East Braceville Road, Braceville. I can send a small map to anyone that needs it.

 

ESCONI/KGMS Field Trip to Cheney Limestone, Bellevue, MI - Saturday, September 12th, 2020 #FieldTrip #minerals #fossils

There will be a field trip to the Cheney Limestone quarry near Bellevue, MI on September 12, 2020, from 10 AM to 3 PM (Eastern). This is a joint trip between ESCONI and the Kalamazoo Geological and Mineral Society (KGMS). There are 20 spots for ESCONI members.

The rock formation at this quarry is the Bayport Limestone, Mississippian in age, in the Michigan Basin

Both fossils and minerals can be found there. Typical fossils include brachiopods, corals, pelecypods and echinoderms, often coated with glauconite. Minerals include calcite, barite, pyrite, marcasite and chalcopyrite.  Also rarely found are sphalerite, fluorite, celestine and vivianite. Mostly medium-temperature hydrothermal minerals.

The quarry is located at 9400 Sand Rd, Bellevue, MI.

Rules

1. You and everyone in your party must be a member of ESCONI by Sept 9, 2020. Minimum age is 18.
2. Register by sending me (Dave) an email with the number of people attending. My email is: fossil54@att.net.  I will respond within 24 hours. If you don’t hear from in that time, send it again!
3. Registration ends at 11:59 PM Sept 9, 2020.
4. If the trip is full I will keep a waiting list. If you register but find out that you cannot attend please let me know.
5. You must have and wear a hard hat, a safety vest and sturdy boots. Long pants are required.

When you arrive at the quarry, park by the side of the road and wait for instructions.

Depending on where you live it could take a few hours to drive to the quarry. There don’t appear to be any hotels in Bellevue. If you’re staying overnight, try Battle Creek.

Some pictures of pyrite, calcite and marcasite specimens from this area can be seen at: https://www.mindat.org/loc-10031.html

A very relevant article entitled “History, Geology, and Mineralogy of the Bayport Limestone Quarries, Bellevue, Eaton County, Michigan” appeared in Rocks and Minerals magazine in 2018. The author was kind enough to provide a PDF of the article which I can send (for personal use only) to any trip participant who wants it.

 

ESCONI Field Trip Report - Belvidere Quarry July 26, 2020, #fossils #Ordovician

By all reports, it was a hot, hot day at the quarry on Sunday.  Everyone was masked up and ready to go!  This document has information on the geology around Belvidere.  The original can be found here.

Here are some pictures if you didn't brave the heat.

ESCONI Field Trip to to Belvidere Quarry - Sunday, July 26, 2020 #FieldTrip #Ordovician

There will be a field trip to a quarry near Belvidere, Illinois on Sunday, July 26, 2020, from 9AM to 12 noon.

 

The rock is Ordovician, Galena Group. This is a "hard-rock" quarry (dolomite). If you like Hormotoma or Receptaculites, this is the place for you! The quarry has been active so there is new rock exposed.

 

Note that if Boone County reverts back to phase 3 before the date of the field trip, then the trip will be cancelled.

 
Rules
 
1. Everyone in your group MUST be an ESCONI member as of July 23, 2020.
 
2. Everyone in your group MUST be at least 18 years of age.

3. Everyone MUST have and wear a hard hat, safety vest, and sturdy boots while in the quarry. No sandals, tennis shoes, and the like. No claw hammers or roofing hammers - use only rock hammers. If you plan on hammering then bring eye protection and wear it.

4. Everyone MUST have a face mask. This is a quarry and social distancing should not be a problem, but if you are within 6 feet of anyone, wear the mask. You will not get in if you do not have a mask. You must make the decision for yourself if being with a group of people in a quarry is the right place for you to be right now. If you are sick, do not attend.
 
5. Sign up by sending me (Dave) an email with the number of members attending and their names. My email is fossil54@att.net   No phone calls please. Do not call the quarry.
 
6. I will acknowledge by return email. If you don't get a reply in 24 hours, send it again!
 
7. Maximum attendance by ESCONI members is 30.

8. Please review the Code of Ethics and Conduct on the ESCONI website. You will be expected to check-in at the quarry. By doing so you agree to follow the Code of Ethics and the conditions on the ESCONI Liability and Waiver form (sent by email to those that sign up). You do not need to print out the ESCONI waiver form, just know what you’re agreeing to. There may be an additional waiver from the quarry.

   
    The address of the quarry is 4525 Irene Road, Belvidere, Illinois.

    I will distribute the waiver forms by email to those signed up just before the trip.
 
    Questions? Send me an email...
  

ESCONI Field Trip to Vulcan DeKalb Quarry - Canceled! #fieldtrip

The field trip to Vulcan DeKalb on April 4, 2020 has been canceled.  Stay safe and health!

 

 

ESCONI Field Trip to Vulcan DeKalb Quarry - Saturday, April 4th, 2020 #fieldtrip

There will be an ESCONI Field Trip to the Vulcan DeKalb (aka Larson) Quarry on Saturday April 4, 2020 from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM. The quarry is located at 15622 Barber Green Road. This trip is combined with a visit from Dr. Roy Plotnick’s class from UIC, and Dr. Reed Scherer’s class from NIU. The rules are shown below:

Everyone in your party MUST be an ESCONI member as of 11:59 PM April 1st and at least 18 years old to attend this trip.

1. Because this is a combined trip, there are only 10 open slots for ESCONI members.

2. The parking lot is on the south side of the road, but it isn't big. Follow any directions given by quarry management on parking.

3. We will have site-specific training, and everyone will sign a waiver.  Waiver forms will be distributed by email a few days before the trip. You DO need to print out and sign the Vulcan waiver, and bring it along. You DO NOT need to print out the ESCONI Accident and Liability form. Your signature on the sign-in sheet affirms that you have read the ESCONI Accident and Liability form and agree to the conditions in it.

4. We will be collecting in a designated area on the overburden shale dump only.  We cannot go anywhere else in the quarry.

5. You must have the following safety gear: steel-toed boots, hard hat, safety glasses and safety vest.  These must be worn at all times on the property.

6. No rock hammers, chisels, or large shovels.  We can keep the fossils we find as long as they can easily be carried. A wagon can be helpful.

7. Photographs of the quarry or quarry facilities are not allowed.  Photographs of fossils ARE allowed, and Vulcan management would like to have pictures of nice specimens.

8. Please review the ESCONI Code of Ethics available on the ESCONI website.  This applies to field trips.

If you have unique or impressive specimens found at this quarry, and are willing to bring them for the group(s) to see, please do so.

To sign up for this field trip, please send Dave Carlson an email with the number of members attending. The email address is: fossil54@att.net  No phone calls please. You will receive a confirmation via return email within 24 hours. If you do not hear back within that time, send it again!

ESCONI Field Trip to Field Museum Meteorite and Fossil Invertebrate Collections - Saturday, February 22nd, 2020

ESCONI Field Trip to Field Museum Meteorite and Fossil Invertebrate Collections

There will be a field trip to the Field Museum in Chicago on Saturday February 22, 2020 starting at 10 AM. This is a behind-the-scenes visit to view the collections of meteorites and fossil invertebrates. Here are the rules:

1. This trip is free (no entry fee) but you and everyone in your group must be ESCONI members.  Have your membership status worked out before the trip. No money or dues will be accepted on the day of the trip.

2. Meet at the west door to the museum (between the museum and Lake Shore Drive) at 10 AM.

3. Families and kids are welcome.

4. Maximum attendance is 30. The group will be split. One part will start viewing meteorites, while the other goes through fossil invertebrates, then they will switch. Total time for both areas is about 1 hour.

5. Registration is required by February 20, 2020. To register, send me (Dave) an email with the number of members attending. My email address is fossil54@att.net

Thanks to Irene Broede for arranging this trip, and to Jim Holstein and Paul Mayer for hosting it.

 

ESCONI Field Trip to the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum at Benedictine University October 26th, 2019

There will be an ESCONI Field Trip to the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum at Benedictine University at 10 AM on October 26, 2019. The museum is located in the Birck Hall of Science at Benedictine University in Lisle, IL.

1. We are limited to a group of 20.
2. No age limit – families are welcome.
3. There is no cost for the trip.
4. We will have a guided tour of the museum with emphasis on geology, paleontology and archeology. They will also bring specimens that are not currently on display out for us to view.
5. Everyone in your group must be a member of ESCONI. No dues will be accepted on the trip, so have your membership status resolved before then.
6. Registration is required. Sign up by sending me (Dave) an email with your name and the number of members attending. No phone calls please. My email is fossil54@att.net

A map of the Benedictine campus can be found at http://www.ben.edu/map.cfm.  I will find out where we can park.

 

ESCONI Field Trip Report - Braceville Fall 2019, #fossils #MazonCreek

The Fall 2019 trip to Braceville was on September 14th and 15th this year.  The weather was great on Saturday, maybe a little hot for digging.   On Sunday, the day started out wet, with a steady down pour in early morning, but a few hardy souls went in right from the beginning!  It was two good days of fossil collecting, renewing old friendships, and making some new friends.  It may take a little while with the freeze/thaw preparation, but hopefully, we'll all come away with some awesome new fossils for our collections!

With all the rain we have had this year, the path got pretty overgrown this year.

There were some wet areas and they really turned to mud on Sunday.  Here is a little video summary of the trip.

A lunch time selfie...

We did the customary dump of fossils on both Saturday and Sunday.

 

There was a special visitor on Saturday...  A caterpillar from an Imperial Moth was found.

Here are various pictures from the 2 days of fossil fun!

ESCONI Field Trip To St. Paul Quarry, in St. Paul, IN - October 25th, 2019

There will be a field trip to St. Paul Quarry (Silurian; Waldron Shale) on Friday, October 25th, 2019.  Please note: the date is subject to the Quarry's work schedule and may be moved or canceled.  You must be a member of ESCONI on or before Friday, October 11th, 2019 to attend.

1. The trip is from 9:00 am to around 3:00 pm Eastern time.
2. We need to meet at the Office at 8:45 Eastern time to sign release forms.
3. Hard hats are required as are sturdy shoes/boots. NO street shoes, sandals, or sneakers. Please review the Code of Ethics and Conduct on the ESCONI website.
4. Safety vest is encouraged as are safety glasses.
5. The minimum age to attend this trip is 18 years old.
6. You must be a paid member on or before October 11, the ESCONI General meeting.
7. We are limited to 20 participants.
8. Sign up with John Catalani at Fossilnautiloid@aol.com.
9. Since it has happened in the past that the quarry has cancelled the field trip, e-mails are required in case participants need to be contacted. 

The quarry address is: 519 S. County Line Rd, St. Paul, IN 47272 (map).  Their website is: https://newpointstone.com/st-paul/.

 

Please email John Catalani at fossilnautiloid@aol.com to sign up for the trip.  No phone calls.