Earth Science Club of Northern Illinois - ESCONI

Mazon Monday #79: Braceville Field Trip (Mazon Creek) Report #fossil #paleontology #MazonCreek #MazonMonday #illinois

This is Mazon Monday post #79.  What's your favorite Mazon Creek fossil?  Tell us at email:esconi.info@gmail.com.

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Here is the field trip report for the Braceville Fall Field Trip, written by ESCONI President Keith Robitschek.  

The September field trips to the Braceville spoil pile started with Saturday and Sunday being mostly sunny and rather warm for a late summer day. We had 43 participants Saturday and 45 Sunday, braving what would become very hot days. In fact, this was the hottest Braceville outing we have experienced in recent memory. Both days the temperature exceeded 90 degrees. Luckily two canopies were ported in and setup near the spoil pile. Thanks go out to the Andersons for bring in your canopy.

On a sad note, the beginning of the Sunday’s outing was delayed by the police and fire department. At around 1:30 Sunday morning a motorcyclist had a problem taking the curve on Berta Road not far from the spoil pile entrance. The accident was not discovered until later that morning. As in all accidents that result in a death, the police have to close off and investigate the accident site. With much appreciation, a big thank you to one of our newer members, Maarten Vonhof and Rich Holm for helping out in getting folks to the west side entrance to the spoil pile.

As most of you know the Midwest has been in drought for a good part of the year. During the walk in, it always seems to be damp on both sides of the path, especially closer to the spoil pile. But, this is misleading considering the water table is close to the surface, with the water filled mine shaft being just a few hundred feet or so from the path and spoil pile. However, the drought was reflected in the state of the spoil pile. The surface of the ground and ridges were dry and dusty, with very little water erosion. As the winds picked up, this dust was even being blown up hill. Digging into the pile showed very little moisture in the first foot to foot and a half in most places.

This fall’s fossil donations, of several buckets, were provided by the Kruty family, Ralph Jewell, Andrew Young, Marie Angkuw, Rich Holm, Connor Puritz, and Keith Robitschek. The types of fossils donated were: Pennsylvanian concretions (mostly ferns and a few Jellyfish), Florida Pliocene (shellfish and shark teeth), Cambrian Trilobite parts, and Devonian material (shellfish and Silurian crinoid calyxes and cephalopod segments). The variety provided many with the opportunity to bring home fossils on both days. It was enjoyed by both the young and the young at heart.

Ready set GO!

or at least the last four years Ralph Jewell an ESCONI member has been making many of his fossils available to members at the Braceville outing, thank you! And maybe thank you to your boss for requesting you to thin your collection at home, maybe…

During this field trip, we had seen an increase in fossil identification requests. Several members brought in concretions for help. Andrew Young, Rich Holm, and Keith Robitschek helped educate our newcomers on how to hunt for concretions on and around the spoil pile. It takes time to train the eye to recognize the different shapes and colors that help discern rock from concretion. Not only were many concretions found on the surface around the pile but also in the ridges. People continue to find concretion clusters when digging in situ. It is great to hear of people taking to heart the message to use the freeze/thaw process to open their concretions. Remember that we have a video now on the ESCONI web site on collecting Mazon Creek concretions. The video is titled “Mazon Monday #66: Video for June 2021 Paleontology Meeting - "Collecting Mazon Creek Fossils" and is located under the Videos page.

Several participants were not only successful in finding concretions but also found several mining artifacts. Timber spikes were found along with a mule shoe, and what looks tobe a connecting hook used to join ore carts, a segment of a miner’s pipe, and a near complete bottle that could be over 100 years old.

All in all, it was a fun weekend and no one went home empty handed.

 

ESCONI Field Trip to a Rockford Quarry Saturday, October 2, 2021, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM #ordovician #quarry #fossil #fieldtrip #illinois #rockford #limestone

Rockford Quarry Field Trip

There will be a field trip to a quarry near Rockford, Illinois on Saturday, October 2, 2021, from 9AM to 12 noon.

The rock is Ordovician, Galena Group. This is a "hard-rock" quarry (dolomite). There may also be glacial deposits, including gravel, in place (not washed and processed) making it possible to find things like native copper. No guarantee of course...

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 Sept 30, 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. Please bring a mask and wear it if you are close to others.
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...

 

Trip Full - ESCONI Field Trip to Danville Shale Pile Fossils - Saturday, September 25th, 2021 #fossils #fossil #FieldTrip #Carboniferous #Illinois #coal #fern #plants #MazonCreek #danville

Danville Field Trip Rules
September 25, 2021

An ESCONI field trip to the Danville Shale Pile for Pennsylvanian fossils is scheduled for Sept 25, 2021 from 10 AM to 3 PM. This is on private property and there is an attendance limit of 25 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.

Please bring 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 Sept 22nd.
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 22nd. 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 impacts outdoor group activities, the trip may 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, September 25th, 2021 #fossils #fossil #FieldTrip #Carboniferous #Illinois #coal #fern #plants #MazonCreek #danville

Danville Field Trip Rules
September 25, 2021

An ESCONI field trip to the Danville Shale Pile for Pennsylvanian fossils is scheduled for Sept 25, 2021 from 10 AM to 3 PM. This is on private property and there is an attendance limit of 25 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.

Please bring 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 Sept 22nd.
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 22nd. 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 impacts outdoor group activities, the trip may 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, September 11th and Sunday, September 12th, 2021 #MazonCreek #fossils #fossil #FieldTrip #paleontology #illinois

The Braceville Field Trip is currently full, however we are taking names for the waiting list.

The ESCONI field trips to Braceville for Mazon Creek fossils are set for Sept 11 and 12, 2021 from 9 AM to 3 PM. You can attend one or the other, but not both days. There is an overall attendance limit of 50 people each day. NOTE THE TIME CHANGE FROM PREVIOUS TRIPS!

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!

Please bring a mask and use it if you are within 6 feet of someone else.

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 September 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 Sept 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 puts limits on outdoor activities then the trip may be cancelled.
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 mine 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 9 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, September 11th and Sunday, September 12th, 2021 #MazonCreek #fossils #fossil #FieldTrip #paleontology #illinois

The ESCONI field trips to Braceville for Mazon Creek fossils are set for Sept 11 and 12, 2021 from 9 AM to 3 PM. You can attend one or the other, but not both days. There is an overall attendance limit of 50 people each day. NOTE THE TIME CHANGE FROM PREVIOUS TRIPS!

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!

Please bring a mask and use it if you are within 6 feet of someone else.

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 September 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 Sept 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 puts limits on outdoor activities then the trip may be cancelled.
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 mine 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 9 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.

Field Trip Report: Starved Rock Clay Pit, July 24th, 2021 #fieldtrip #fossil #mineral #illinois #paleontology #geology #carboniferous

Here's a field trip report from ESCONI Vice President Dave Carlson for the Starved Rock Clay Pit field trip back on July 24th, 2021.

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Usually we are concerned about mud at the clay pit, but not this time. It was quite dry for this trip, even to the point where some rain would have been welcome in order to clean things off and keep the dust down. As always, we do the best with the conditions we have.

Recent work had changed the configuration of pits. Some of the underclay was brought to the surface forming blue/gray/purple piles. The Colchester coal was exposed intact showing cracks filled with calcite. Calcite has also mineralized the black shale but that didn't stop some folks from breaking large pieces open. The calcite cement varies from clear to tan to brown and the crystals can be showy. They are also fluorescent in LW UV. 

These pictures are from Ceal Tobias.

Fossils were also recovered in the black shale like this stick found by Rob Russell.

Also some invertebrate fossils like these found by Connor Puritz.

Above, Pseudorthoceras, and below, Desmoinesia.

The only vertebrate specimens were Listracanthus, a shark denticle, like this one found by Kyle Schroeder.

A few plant fossils were found in the gray shale. This Annularia was found by Melissa Parages.

This fern was found by Ceal Tobias.

This location always produces stable pyrite in various forms, such as balls and cylinders, and pyritized wood which is unstable and subject to pyrite disease.

This is a unique and geologically complex location. It can be challenging to collect at the clay pit but with persistence and patience, interesting fossils and minerals can be found.

    

ESCONI Field Trip to Starved Rock Clay Pit, July 24, 2021 #fieldtrip #fossil #Pennsylvanian

There will be a field trip to the Starved Rock Clay Pit on Saturday, July 24, 2021 from 8 AM to noon. The trip is shared with the Lincoln Orbit Earth Science Society (LOESS) of Springfield. The clay pit is located just south of Starved Rock State Park.

Other than the glacial overburden, everything at the clay pit is Pennsylvanian. From top down the layers are:

Mecca Quarry Shale - Black shale, hard.
Francis Creek Shale - Mudstone from deltaic deposits
Colchester No. 2 coal
Underclay - paleosol where the plants that made up the coal were rooted

This location produces pyrite balls, pyritized wood, occasional vertebrate and invertebrate fossils in the black shake, and Mazon-like concretions. From my experience, the concretions do not split like typical Mazon concretions, but tend to degrade to flakes when subjected to freezing/thawing. The entry road is made with rock from the nearby Lone Star (Buzzi-Unicem) quarry (LaSalle Limestone and gray shale).

Rules:

1. Everyone in your party must be at least 18 years old and an ESCONI member (unless you're a member of LOESS) by July 21, 2021. The ESCONI attendance limit is 20.
2. Meet at the entrance to the clay pit by the buildings. The entrance is on the east side of Rt 178 just north of Rt 71. It’s not right at the corner, but just a little closer to the park. Take a look on satellite view and you’ll see a couple buildings. We’ll drive between those and around the north tip of the pond to go back to the clay pit area closer to Rt 71. Please don’t use the other roads on the property. This is private property.
3. Bring and wear a hard hat and safety vest. Boots are required as this location can be very muddy. If you plan to hammer on rocks then bring and wear eye protection. This is a big place, and a wagon or cart can be helpful.
4. This is not a hard-rock quarry, and the walls are not high, but exercise caution near any wall. If it looks unstable, don't go near it. Stay away from any equipment or cables.
5. The commercial product here is clay removed from pits in the quarry floor. These pits accumulate water. You must not go in the pits or the water. The mud in and around the pits can suck you in and not let go!
6. If the entry road is in bad shape or there has been recent rain, vehicle access may be limited. We'll find out when we get there. If there is too much rain in the days leading up to the trip we will cancel.
7. Please review the ESCONI Code of Ethics and Conduct on the website. It applies to field trips like this one. An ESCONI liability waiver will be sent to those that sign up. You don’t need to sign it – just know what you’re agreeing to by attending.

Sign up by sending me (Dave) an email at fossil54@att.net giving the number of ESCONI members attending and their names. I will confirm by return email within 24 hours. If you don't hear from me in that time, send it again!

 

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

ESCONI held a field trip to a Belvidere, IL quarry on June 26th, 2021.  Some of the finds were Hormotoma snails, nautiloids, and trilobites.  Here are some photos from ESCONI member Therese Cushing.  Thanks, Therese!

 

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

Here is a report about the Danville Shale Pile field trip on Saturday, June 5th, 2021.

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Danville, Illinois, ESCONI Field Trip – June 5, 2021

The weather was warm and partly cloudy Saturday, June 5^th, at the new Danville spoil pile. By midday, the temperature would reach into the 90s. Keith Robitschek started the event with his safety talk. “You’re not in Kansas anymore. You are on Pandora” … “There’s nothing like an old school safety brief to put the mind at ease.” Following the safety talk, Andrew Young discussed the geology and scientific significance of the location we were about to collect. He truly got the juices flowing! Accompanying the 22 participants was our very own Jack Wittry. Both Jack and Andrew were not only photographing our finds, but they were greatly involved in the identification of the specimens. We hope to be collecting here for quite some time. It will give all participants the opportunity to find something unique and also contribute to an identification guide Jack and Andrew are currently working on. A more comprehensive document of the site’s (Herrin Coal Roof Shale) Pennsylvanian fossils is also in the works.

Regulars and newbies alike had success in finding both shale-based fossils and concretions. Finally, Pennsylvanian fossils with instant gratification! The Red Dog shale is relatively hard but easily chipped and scratched. The black shale is very flaky and layered. Each fossil slab needed to be separated from one another. Some people used bubble wrap, but there are other methods of protection for both temporary and permanent storage. For display, consider small easels or shadow boxes. The back side of the black shale will need stabilizing. Keep in mind, should you decide to donate your find(s) to a museum or similar scientific community, leave the stabilizing to them. As we move forward, we will provide more structured information on safe storage practices and stabilization.

To help keep everyone connected, Dave Carlson, one of our Field Trip Chairmen, created an email chain for all participants to discuss and contribute images to. Thus far, mostly ferns have been found (both seed and spore forms), also lycopsid stems and bark, a few actual seeds and cones, and a couple of shellfish in both concretions and shale. Yet to be identified, the shellfish look similar to clams and scallops. The following images have come from that email chain. Thank you all so much for contributing.

Found by Joe Vitosky, this fossil is a Calamostachys cone.

Found by Rob Russell, this fossil appears to be a seed.

Found by Marie Angkuw, this fossil is an Alethopteris.

Found by Sue Dibblee, these fossils are various forms of fern.

Found by Ben Riegler, this fossil looks to include ovipositional scars located under and to the right of the penny. These scars are caused by insects laying eggs under the surface of plants.

Found by Charles Nicchia, this fossil is a form of bark with leaf scars.

Found by Diane Bedrosian, this fossil is a form of Lepidodendron bark with leaf scars.

Found by Bruce Lauer, this fossil is a form of shellfish yet to be identified.

Found by Rob Russell, this fossil is a form of shellfish yet to be identified.

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 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