Earth Science Club of Northern Illinois - ESCONI

Mazon Monday #270: Braceville Field Trip Report for Spring 2025 #fossils #paleontology #MazonCreek #MazonMonday #braceville #spoilpile #coal

This is Mazon Monday post #270.  What's your favorite Mazon Creek fossil?  Tell us at email:[email protected].

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We had absolutely beautiful weather for both Saturday and Sunday, although it did get a little windy on Saturday.   Attendance was excellent with very few no shows.  Members who couldn't make it, cancelled early to enable those on the waiting list to attend.  We had a group of people from the Kalamazoo Geological & Mineral Society (KGMS).

As usual, the Anderson's shared some tasty donuts as everyone waited to go in.

The posion ivy was out... or is that boxelder maple?

The fossil pour was very popular... we gave out some very nice fossils, which were supplied by Ralph Jewell, Anthony Friend, Phil Anderson, and Rich Holm.  Additionally, some of the fossils from Roger Bohn's family donation were part of the pour.

Here is Saturday's...

And, on Sunday.

Arjan Mann, Cal So, and a couple others from the Field Museum joined us.

Required selfie... this one was on Saturday.

Plenty of smiles on the pile

Unfortunately, I didn't get any photos, but worms, jellies, and other typical Braceville fossils were found open.  More importantly, some very nice shapes were found to feed the summer freeze/thaw!

Is that an insect?!?

Artifacts are common at Bracevlle.  Andy found a pony shoe.   This was probably used by the ponies in the mine.

Bryan Nugent found some bricks.

See you in the fall!

ESCONI Field Trip to Mount Orab for Trilobites - Saturday, June 21st, 2025 #fossils #fossil #FieldTrip #ordovician #ohio

This trip is full.  We are taking names for a waiting list.

ESCONI will have a field trip to Flat Run Fossils in Mt. Orab, Ohio on June 21st, 2025. Flat Run Fossils is a new pay-to-dig site in the famous Mt. Orab trilobite beds. For many years, thousands of gorgeous Flexicalymene and Isotelus trilobites have been collected from this area. Other possible finds include brachiopods, graptolites, and rare crinoids. I have had the opportunity to collect this area before and it is always a great and productive time. You will certainly walk away with many trilobites – they are not hard to find!

Trip details:

• We will be collecting 8am - 4pm on Saturday June 21st, 2025.
• Registration is open May 6th - June 6th. No registrations will be accepted outside that timeframe. You must be an ESCONI member as of May 6th, 2025.
• The fee for the site is $70 per person. Payment will be due two weeks before the trip, with refunds available up to 48 hours before the trip. I will send those who register a link to pay online. If you don’t pay by Saturday June 7th, you don’t get to come.
• We need at least 10 people to make the trip happen. The maximum group size is 20.
• You get to keep any and all fossils you find! Large pieces of unsplit shale cannot be removed from the site though.
• The minimum age is 8 years. Children 8 to 15 dig for free with a paying parent. Anyone 16 or older must pay.

To register for this trip, send Connor Puritz an email with the names of ESCONI members attending. His email address is [email protected]. He will confirm via return email within 24 hours. If you do not hear back from him within that time, send it again. If you register for the trip but can no longer make it, please let him know ASAP so other members can attend.

 

Note that Flat Run Fossils allows individual diggers to visit. However, by going with ESCONI, you get a special discounted price! You’ll also get to dig with experienced trilobite hunters who will help you find and safely collect your trilobites. This site will be a 4-5 hour drive for most ESCONI members. I recommend arriving the night before. There are a number of hotels ~25 minutes away in eastern Cincinnati. There are many good publicly accessible fossil sites nearby that you can collect too if you want to keep collecting on Sunday or longer. I will send a list with some recommendations to those who register.

 

ESCONI Field Trip to Napoleon Quarry in Napoleon Indiana - May 31st, 2025 #fieldtrip #indiana #silurian #ordovician #cystoids #trilobites #brachiopods

This trip is currently full.  There is a waiting list.

There will be an ESCONI field trip on Saturday, May 31, 2025, to the quarry just east of Napoleon, Indiana. There is an attendance limit of 15 people. We need to meet, no exceptions, at the quarry entrance at 8:30 a.m. EDT. The quarry exposes the Silurian Massie Shale, which produces abundant cystoids as well as trilobites, crinoids, brachiopods, bryozoans, sponges, and coral. There is also a dump pile of Ordovician Whitewater Formation which produces brachiopods and other typical marine fauna. The quarry will be a several hour drive for most people, so consider the distance when making your plans.

 

Napoleon Field Trip Rules


 

1. The minimum age is 18 years old. You must register for this trip. Registration opens on April 30th and ends on May 29th.
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 29th. You can pay dues by mailing a check, or with a credit card using the PayPal link on the ESCONI website.
3. The address of the quarry is 8792 N County Rd 300W, Batesville, IN. It is located just east of Napoleon IN (US 421) on SR 229/48.
4. You must have the following safety gear: sturdy (preferably steel-toed) boots, hard hat, safety glasses, and safety vest.
5. To register for this field trip, send Connor Puritz an email at [email protected] with your name and the number of members attending. If you don’t hear back within 24 hours, send another email. Do NOT call the quarry.
6. If the trip is full there will be a waiting list in case there are cancellations. If you are signed up and can’t make it, please let Connor know.
7. When you register for the trip, you will be sent 2 forms provided by the quarry. Print these out, sign them, and bring them to the quarry.
8. 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 these out - just know what you’re agreeing to.

 

ESCONI Field Trip to Braceville, IL for Mazon Creek Fossils - Saturday, May 17th and Sunday, May 18th, 2025 #MazonCreek #fossils #fossil #FieldTrip #paleontology

This trip is full.  We do have a waiting list.

Braceville Field Trip Rules for May 2025

The ESCONI field trips to Braceville for Mazon Creek fossils are set for May 17 and 18, 2025 from 9 AM to 3 PM. You can attend one or the other, but not both days. There is an attendance limit of 50 people each day.

You must register to go on this trip. See rule 6 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.

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 11th.

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 11th. 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. You’re going to be digging in clay and rocks – dress accordingly! Boots and gloves are strongly recommended. No open-toed shoes or soft climbing shoes. Hard hats are not required. 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. Bring a bucket to carry your fossils in. 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.

5. 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.

6. Sign up for the trip by sending me (Jeremy) an email with the names of all members in your group, 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 [email protected]

7. 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 Danville Shale Pile Fossils - Saturday, April 26th, 2025 #fossils #fossil #FieldTrip #Carboniferous #Illinois #coal #fern #plants #MazonCreek

This field trip is full

Danville Field Trip Rules for Saturday, April 26th, 2025

An ESCONI field trip to the Danville IL Shale Pile for Pennsylvanian fossils is scheduled for Saturday April 26, 2025 starting at 10 AM. 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. Plan on being off the hill at 3 PM to give time for specimen identification and pictures.

You must register to go on this trip. See rule 6 below for instructions. This is the only way to register.

1. The minimum age is 18 years old. Registration opens on March 26th and ends on April 24th.
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 April 24th. 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 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. Sturdy boots are highly recommended as are gloves. No tennis shoes or soft climbing footwear. Wear eye protection if using a hammer.
5. 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.
6. Sign up for the trip by sending Connor Puritz an email at connorpuritz AT gmail.com with your name and the number of members attending. If you don’t hear back within 24 hours, send another email.
7. If the trip is full there will be a waiting list in case there are cancellations.

If you are signed up and can’t make it, please let Connor know.

Those that register will be sent a map and more information 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 the Napoleon Quarry in Napoleon, IN - for Ordovician/Silurian Fossils - Saturday, October 26th, 2024 #Ordovician #silurian #fossils #fossil #FieldTrip #paleontology #cyctoid #indiana #trilolite

Cystoid from a field trip to Napoleon - from a University of Kentucky website.

There will be a field trip for ESCONI members on Saturday, October 26, 2024, to the quarry just east of Napoleon, Indiana. We need to meet, no exceptions, at the quarry entrance at 8:30 a.m. EDT. We have the chance to collect Silurian (Osgood Member of the Salamonie Dolomite--digging may be required) and possibly Ordovician rocks. This quarry is located southeast of Indianapolis, IN. Consider the distance when making your plans.

Rules are as follows:

1. You must register to attend this trip, and must be an ESCONI member as of October 12, 2024.
2. Everyone in your party must be at least 18 years of age.
3. The attendance limit is 25.
4. The address of the quarry is 8792 N County Rd 300W, Batesville, IN. It is located just east of Napoleon IN (US 421) on SR 229/48.
5. Everyone will sign a waiver.
6. You must have the following safety gear: sturdy (preferably steel-toed) boots, hard hat, safety glasses, and safety vest.
7. When you register for the trip, you will be sent 2 forms provided by the quarry. Print these out, sign them, and bring them to the quarry.

To register for this field trip, send John Catalani an email with the number of ESCONI members attending. His email address is: [email protected]. No phone calls please. Do NOT call the quarry. He will confirm via return email within 24 hours and attach the two documnets. If you do not hear back from him within that time, send it again!

NOTE: John will be away from his computer until 09-30-2024. So, requests will be answered beginning that date.

 

Mazon Monday #234: Braceville Field Trip Report for Fall 2024 #fossils #paleontology #MazonCreek #MazonMonday #pennsylvanian #braceville #fieldtrip

This is Mazon Monday post #234.  What's your favorite Mazon Creek fossil?  Tell us at email:[email protected].

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ESCONI hosted the Fall 2024 edition of the Braceville Field Trip over the weekend of September 7th and 8th. The primary focus of the event was searching for Mazon Creek fossils and concretions. The site, commonly referred to as "Worm Hill," is known for its variety of marine fossils, including worms, jellyfish, sea anemones, and clams, with marine worm fossils being particularly common.

The weather was perfect for both days of the event, with temperatures in the mid-70s and clear skies, completely free of rain. Conditions were ideal, allowing a full turnout of 50 participants each day. Familiar faces mingled with some new visitors, and notable attendees included Arjan Mann, Mike Donovan, and Naiomi Cookson from the Field Museum, as well as Alan Keith, who traveled from Texas. There were several generous contributions to the fossil dump from Andrew Young, Ralph Jewell, Marty Houdek, Elizabeth Gentry, Rich Holm, Alan Keith, Connor Puritz, and Phil Anderson.

Saturday's group selfie

The hill is looking about the same.  Althought, it was much larger in the past.  If you are curious about its history, have a look at Mazon Monday #30.   The spoil pile is from a shaft mine operated through part of its history by the Braceville Coal Company.  It was their No. 2 mine.  They operated it from 1892 - 1900.  It was the second most productive of their six mines, producing almost 1.8 million tons of coal.  The mine covered about 249 acres.  The company was targeting the Colchester coal seam, which sits at a depth of between 103 and 110 feet with a thickness of 3.5 feet.

From the look of the road outside the spoil pile, some of the collectors were very excited to get to the site.

After burning rubber in the road, here's the group of eager fossil hunters rushing to get to the hill...

Of course, we had the famous fossil dump... there were generous contributions from Andrew Young, Ralph Jewell, Marty Houdek, Elizabeth Gentry, Rich Holm, Alan Keith, Connor Puritz, and Phil Anderson.  Thanks!

Discussions around the pile

Those orange buckets really glow in the sun!

Concretions!

Nice one, George!

Is that a new Estwing, Jeremy?   What's in your hand?  A frog?!?  Is he helping you dig?

Is there a better way to spend Saturday night after a long day of hunting fossils?... Dinner at the Tully Monster Pub and Grill in Morris!

See you guys again in the spring!

Note: some of these photos came from Ralph Jewell, who has a great thread over on the Fossil Forum.  Check it out!  Other photos came from Andrew Young, Phil Anderson, Eileen Routson, Jody Gosain, Taleka Robinson, Chad Stevens and others.  Thanks!

ESCONI Events for September 2024 #events #fieldtrips

Field trips require membership, but visitors are welcome at all meetings!

Sat, Sep 7th	ESCONI Field Trip to Braceville, IL for Mazon Creek Fossils Details can be found here.
Sat, Sep 8th	ESCONI Field Trip to Braceville, IL for Mazon Creek Fossils Details can be found here.
Fri, Sep 13th	ESCONI General Meeting - 8:00 PM via Zoom - Topic: "Tiny Time Capsules: How we use some of the smallest fossils to study global paleoceanographic change" by Patty Standring of the University of Texas Zoom link
Sat, Sep 14th	ESCONI Junior Meeting - 6:30 PM (starts at 7:00 PM) at College of DuPage Room 1038A - Topic: "Desktop Water Treatment System" by Scott Galloway (Please note the building and room change!) Specifics of this meeting are available from Scott Galloway, 630-670-2591, [email protected]. The meeting will be in person at the College of DuPage Technical Education Center (TEC), Room 1038A (Map). Please note the room change!
Sat, Sep 21th	ESCONI Paleontology Study Group  - 7:30 PM at the College of Dupage - Topic: "Show and Tell" Technical Education Center (TEC) Building - Room 1038B (Map)
Sat, Sep 21th	ESCONI Field Trip to a Vulcan DeKalb Quarry for Ordovician Fossils (This field trip is full, but we are taking names for the waiting list) Details can be found here.
Sat, Sep 28th	ESCONI Field Trip to a Danville Spoil Pile for Pennsylvanian Fossils (This field trip is full, but we are taking names for the waiting list) Details can be found here.
	ESCONI Mineralogy Study Group  - no meeting. See you next month!

ESCONI Field Trip to Danville Shale Pile Fossils - Saturday, September 28th, 2024 #fossils #fossil #FieldTrip #Carboniferous #Illinois #coal #fern #plants #MazonCreek

This trip is full, but we are accepting names for the waiting list.

Danville Field Trip Rules for Sept 28th, 2024

An ESCONI field trip to the Danville IL Shale Pile for Pennsylvanian fossils is scheduled for Sept 28, 2024 starting at 10 AM. 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. Plan on being off the hill at 3 PM to give time for specimen identification and pictures.

You must register to go on this trip. See rule 6 below for instructions. This is the only way to register.

1. The minimum age is 18 years old. Registration ends at midnight Sept 24th.

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 24th. 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 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. No tennis shoes or soft climbing footwear. Wear eye protection if using a hammer.

5. 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.

6. 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 [email protected]

7. 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 the Vulcan DeKalb Quarry, for Ordovician Fossils - Saturday, September 21st, 2024 #Ordovician #fossils #fossil #FieldTrip #paleontology

An enrolled Isotelus found on a pervious field trip

Vulcan DeKalb Quarry Field Trip Sept 21, 2024

There will be an ESCONI Field Trip to the Vulcan DeKalb (aka Larson) Quarry on Saturday Sept 21, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The quarry is located at 15622 Barber Green Road. The rock at  this location is predominantly Ordovician from the Maquoketa and Galena formations. We will be sharing the quarry with a group from Lizzadro.

Everyone in your party MUST be an ESCONI member as of 11:59 PM Sept 16th and at least 18 years old to attend this trip.

1. The attendance limit is 24.
2. The parking lot is on the south side of the Barber Green Road, but it isn't big. Follow any directions given by quarry management on parking.
3. Everyone will sign a waiver from the quarry. 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: sturdy, preferably 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 an email with the number of members attending. The email address is: [email protected] 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 Braceville, IL for Mazon Creek Fossils - Saturday, September 7th and Sunday September 8th, 2024 #MazonCreek #fossils #fossil #FieldTrip #paleontology

Braceville Field Trip Rules

Sept 2024

The ESCONI field trips to Braceville for Mazon Creek fossils are set for Sept 7 and 8, 2024 from 9 AM to 3 PM. You can attend one or the other, but not both days. There is an attendance limit of 50 people each day.

You must register to go on this trip. See rule 6 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.

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 3rd.

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 September 3rd. 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. You’re going to be digging in clay and rocks – dress accordingly! Boots and gloves are strongly recommended. No open-toed shoes or soft climbing shoes. Hard hats are not required. 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. Bring a bucket to carry your fossils in. 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.

5. 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.

6. Sign up for the trip by sending me (Dave) an email with the names of all members in your group, 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! I will be out of town Aug 9 and 10 so my response may be delayed. My email is [email protected]

7. 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 Hamilton, IL for Railroad Creek Geodes on August 10th, 2024 #geodes #fieldtrip #illinois

There will be a field trip to Vickers Geodes in Hamilton, IL on August 10, 2024. Hamilton IL is across the Mississippi River from Keokuk Iowa. The address is 511 South 9^th St. The geodes at this location range from golf ball to basketball in size! They are in shale and need to be dug out, so bring big tools like a pickaxe and crowbar, and expect to get dirty.

This is a pay-to-dig site and open to the public with no age restriction. The cost to participants is $25 per 5-gallon bucket paid to the landowner.

We will meet up at 9:00 AM at the site, but arriving late is OK. Because of the distance, consider arriving the night before and staying overnight. If enough people do this maybe we can get together for dinner on Friday. Please let me know if you’re interested in coming on this trip. My email is [email protected]

Note: Because this site is open to the public, you do not need to be an ESCONI member to attend.

You can see some pictures on Facebook at:

 https://www.facebook.com/p/Railroad-creek-Vickers-Geodes-100064783084085/

Also a nice video from “That Camping Couple” on YouTube at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyM4MT3hhe0

 

ESCONI Field Trip to Rockford Gravel Pit - Sunday, June 23rd, 2024

ESCONI Field Trip to Rockford Gravel Pit

A field trip to a Rockford gravel pit is scheduled for Sunday, June 23rd, 2024. 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.

YOU MUST REGISTER TO GO ON THIS TRIP. See rule 6 below.

1. You and everyone in your group must be a member of ESCONI.
2. The minimum age to attend this trip is 18 years old.
3. Hard hats, safety vests, sturdy shoes and eye protection 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 check-in at the quarry. By doing so you agree to follow the Code of Ethics (on the ESCONI website) and the conditions on the ESCONI Liability and Waiver form (attached to this email). You do not need to print out the ESCONI waiver form, just know what you’re agreeing to.
6. To register, send me (Dave) an email with the names of the ESCONI members attending. My email address is
   [email protected]

The address of the gravel pit is 6230 Beltline Rd, Rockford, IL.

Therese and Duane from RRVGMS will be hosting this 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!

ESCONI Field Trip to Rockford Gravel Pit - Sunday, June 23rd, 2024

ESCONI Field Trip to Rockford Gravel Pit

A field trip to a Rockford gravel pit is scheduled for Sunday, June 23rd, 2024. 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.

YOU MUST REGISTER TO GO ON THIS TRIP. See rule 6 below.

1. You and everyone in your group must be a member of ESCONI.
2. The minimum age to attend this trip is 18 years old.
3. Hard hats, safety vests, sturdy shoes and eye protection 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 check-in at the quarry. By doing so you agree to follow the Code of Ethics (on the ESCONI website) and the conditions on the ESCONI Liability and Waiver form (attached to this email). You do not need to print out the ESCONI waiver form, just know what you’re agreeing to.
6. To register, send me (Dave) an email with the names of the ESCONI members attending. My email address is
   [email protected]

The address of the gravel pit is 6230 Beltline Rd, Rockford, IL.

Therese and Duane from RRVGMS will be hosting this 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!

 

ESCONI Field Trip to Napoleon, IN for Silurian/Ordovician Fossils - Saturday, June 1, 2024 #fossils #paleontology #silurian #fieldtrip #ordovician

Cystoid from a field trip to Napoleon - from a University of Kentucky website.

There will be a field trip for ESCONI members on Saturday, June 1, 2024, to the quarry just east of Napoleon, Indiana. We need to meet at the quarry entrance at 8:30 a.m. EDT. We have the chance to collect Silurian (Osgood Member of the Salamonie Dolomite) and possibly Ordovician rocks.

Rules are as follows:

1. You must register to attend this trip, and must be an ESCONI member as of May 18, 2024.
2. Everyone in your party must be at least 18 years of age.
3. The attendance limit is 25.
4. The address of the quarry is 8792 N County Rd 300W, Batesville, IN. It is located just east of Napoleon IN (US 421) on SR 229/48.
5. Everyone will sign a waiver.
6. You must have the following safety gear: sturdy (preferably steel-toed) boots, hard hat, safety glasses, and safety vest.
7. When you register for the trip, you will be sent 2 forms provided by the quarry. Print these out, sign them, and bring them to the quarry.

To register for this field trip, send John an email with the number of members attending. His email address is: [email protected]. No phone calls please. Do NOT call the quarry. He
will confirm via return email within 24 hours. If you do not hear back from him within that time, send it again!

NOTE: This quarry is located southeast of Indianapolis, IN. Consider the distance when making your plans.

Please print these documents

• Download Napoleon Quarry Hazard Training Check List
• Download Napoleon Quarry Liability Release

 

ESCONI Field Trip to Braceville, IL for Mazon Creek Fossils - Saturday, May 4th and Sunday May 5th, 2024 #MazonCreek #fossils #fossil #FieldTrip #paleontology

Both days are full!  We do have a waiting list.

Braceville Field Trip Rules
May 2024

The ESCONI field trips to Braceville for Mazon Creek fossils are set for May 4 and 5, 2024 from 9 AM to 3 PM. You can attend one or the other, but not both days. There is an attendance limit of 50 people each day.

You must register to go on this trip. See rule 6 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.

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 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 May 3rd. 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. You’re going to be digging in clay and rocks – dress accordingly! Boots and gloves are strongly recommended. No open-toed shoes or soft climbing shoes. Hard hats are not required. 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. Bring a bucket to carry your fossils in. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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 [email protected]
7. 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.

 

Trip Full: ESCONI Field Trip to Danville Shale Pile Fossils - Saturday, April 27th, 2024 #fossils #fossil #FieldTrip #Carboniferous #Illinois #coal #fern #plants #MazonCreek

This trip is now full.

Danville Field Trip Rules for April 27, 2024

An ESCONI field trip to the Danville Shale Pile for Pennsylvanian fossils is scheduled for April 27, 2024 starting at 10 AM. 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. Plan on being off the hill at 3 PM to give time for specimen identification and pictures.

You must register to go on this trip. See rule 6 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.

1. The minimum age is 18 years old. Registration ends at midnight April 24th.
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 April 24th. 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 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. No tennis shoes or soft climbing footwear. Wear eye protection if using a hammer.
5. 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.
6. 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 [email protected]
7. 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 Vulcan Manteno Quarry on Saturday, October 28th, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM #fieldtrip #fossil #Silurian #quarry #dolomite

This trip is full!  A waiting list is being kept.

----------------

There will be an ESCONI Field Trip to the Vulcan Manteno Quarry on Saturday October 28, 2023 from 9 AM to 12 noon. We last visited this location in 2018. The rock there is Silurian dolomite. The quarry is located at 6141 Highway 50, Manteno, Illinois.

The rules are shown below:

1. You must be an ESCONI member and at least 18 years old to attend this trip. Max attendance of 24.
2. Follow any directions given by quarry management on parking.
3. We will have site-specific training from quarry management.
4. Your attendance indicates that you agree to follow the ESCONI Code of Ethics and be bound by the conditions set forth in the ESCONI Liability Waiver for this trip. The ESCONI Code of Ethics and Conduct is available on the website. The ESCONI Liability Waiver for this trip will be emailed to those who sign up.
5. Collect only in areas designated by quarry management. We will not go into the pit.
6. 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.
7. No rock hammers, chisels, or large shovels. We can keep the fossils we find as long as they can easily be carried.
8. 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.
   
9. To sign up, send me (Dave) an email with your name and the number of members in your party. 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 [email protected]

You should be able to find this quarry by searching on "6141 IL 50 Manteno" in Google. That will provide a map and satellite view.

If there is a need to cancel (like for weather) I will send out an email as far in advance as possible. Please check your email before departing for the quarry.

 

ESCONI Events September 2023 #events #calendar #fieldtrip

Field trips require membership, but visitors are welcome at all meetings!

Fri, Sep 8th	ESCONI General Meeting 8:00 PM - Topic: “Tropical rainforests - A 300-million-year-old history” by Fabiany Herrera, the Assistant Curator of Paleobotany at the Field Museum Zoom link
Sat, Sep 9th	ESCONI Junior Meeting - 6:30 PM at College of DuPage - Topic: "North Carolina Microfossils" Specifics of this meeting are available from Scott Galloway, 630-670-2591, [email protected]. The meeting will be in person at the College of DuPage Tech Ed (TEC) Building, Room 1038A (Map).
Sat, Sep 16th	ESCONI Field Trip to Braceville, IL for Mazon Creek  Fossils.  ***Trip Full*** Details are here.
Sat, Sep 16th	ESCONI Paleontology Meeting 7:30 PM - Topic: "Brag Night!" This meeting will be hybrid with both Zoom and in person available at the College of DuPage Tech Ed (TEC) Building, Room 1038B (Map). Zoom link
Sun, Sep 17th	ESCONI Field Trip to Braceville, IL for Mazon Creek  Fossils. ***Trip Full*** Details are here.
Sat, Sep 23rd	ESCONI Field Trip to Danville, IL for Pennsylvanian Fossils.  ***Trip Full*** Details are here.

 

TRIP FULL: ESCONI Field Trip to Danville, IL - Saturday, September 23rd, 2023 #MazonCreek #fossils #fossil #FieldTrip #paleontology #fern #plantfossils #coal #spoilpile

This trip is now FULL.

Danville Field Trip Rules for Sept 23, 2023

An ESCONI field trip to the Danville Shale Pile for Pennsylvanian fossils is scheduled for Sept 23, 2023 starting at 10 AM. 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. Plan on being off the hill at 3 PM to give time for specimen identification and pictures.

You must register to go on this trip. See rule 6 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.

1. The minimum age is 18 years old. Registration ends at midnight Sept 20th.
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 20th. 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 ESCONICode 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 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. No tennis shoes or soft climbing footwear. Wear eye protection if using a hammer.
5. 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.
6. 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 [email protected]
7. 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.