GMS Field Trip

GMS Field Trip
Middle to Late Cambrian Fossils in Alabama
Saturday, January 10, 2015

Once again a horde of rockhounds inundated a local restaurant as field trip participants assembled for the January field trip. Most of us were dressed in so many layers to endure the arctic chill predicated for the day that we could hardly bend our arms and legs. But new member Bob Moffa bounced happily into the crowd wearing a short sleeved Hawaiian shirt! He did wear a jacket once we got outside.

So many people attended this trip that we had to split the group into two, with Charles starting half of the group in one location while I helped the second half in another location. At the first location, attendees collected limestone with weird markings. We’re still not entirely sure what the markings are, who or what made them, and when they were made, but they are still fun to collect. It was so cold at that location that pieces had to be pried from the ice.

At the second location, we were sheltered by a cove, so it was warm enough to shed at least one layer of clothes. There we collected trilobites in shale and pieces of trilobites in small concretions. Lots of trilobites (and trilo-bits) were in the loose shale, so surface collecting was easy. Some people dug shale from the bank and were rewarded with nice plates containing multiple specimens. Since collecting at the first location was quick, the group from the first location rejoined the rest of the group within a few minutes. Dr. Bob Madden brought a case of some of his best trilobites for everyone to see and drool over. They definitely inspired us to keep looking!

Juniors discovered the joy of tromping on crispy ice. They also discovered some frozen fish. One eager little girl wanted to take her frozen fish home, but her mom finally convinced her that a trilobite would be a better souvenir for the day. According to junior member Trey, finding trilobites was his job and it was the best job ever!

After lunch we visited the third location. That location has concretions scattered along the shoreline. Cobb member Marlene Clark found one of the best brooksellas of the day within a few minutes of hitting the beach! Compared to last year, fewer brooksellas were found, but the quality of the specimens found was incredible. Only one person found a trilobite, but there were many curious concretions and possible fossils. Bobby Smith gave me a Babar the Elephant and a grumpy giant sunfish :o)

Overall it was a great trip. There were many firsts for people and most went home with at least one prize for the day!

Lori Carter
On behalf of Charles Carter, GMS Field Trip Chair
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