jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Jul 14, 2013 22:27:17 GMT -5
The coral is a 12 inch vein under 15 feet of sand/soil/clay mix. It sits atop the light beige clay. The coral in this vein is unique. I went 3 days and estimate 400 pounds. The skin is half the weight. So one third will be final workable material. Helen knows how much work this hell hole is. The first day was flooding and had to tie off.    You western folks have petrified wood structures. Guess we have petrified coral structures.  You can see how the center of large coral heads are ill formed in the center. But the rind is great material  This orange grove owner saved the solid formed heads to cap the wall.  Welcome to Florida. Well earned ice cream from an interesting building.  Sand Hill Cranes   I will heat most of this material. |
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Post by Pat on Jul 14, 2013 22:34:01 GMT -5
Beautiful area! Why does the water look gold?
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Jul 14, 2013 22:46:28 GMT -5
Some of the coral from this spot. It changes drastically when heat treated.  First day's haul  This is what it looks like after heat treatment. The blacks are typical of salts being heated. And are unpredictable.   Some more after heat images www.flickr.com/photos/67205364@N06/sets/72157633217576214/ Thanks for visiting |
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Jul 14, 2013 22:53:25 GMT -5
Pat, that is tannins(tannic acid) from decaying vegetation. You see it better with the brightly colored clay bottom.
That water flow is flowing thru a large orange grove in a man made ditch before it gets to this point. But the coral
upstream and downstream is poorly formed. This high grade material runs about 100 feet of creek length. The clay is so
dense that it takes a 4 foot pry bar to remove a softball sized chunk. It had been 5 or 6 years since I collected here and a lot of material had washed out making for easy pickins.
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Post by helens on Jul 14, 2013 23:06:32 GMT -5
Hrm... the hell hole I went to was worse looking than that... where did you find that one? Nice haul too:)! You must be a machine, James. Good thing I didn't see that wall, chipping pieces off it would be easier than digging it out of the 'veins'  . LOL! |
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Jul 14, 2013 23:17:36 GMT -5
That is the same place I sent you guys to. It has a warm weather personality. The elephant ears are 6-8 feet tall.
That was a one day load. Went two more days. I found the other hole. It was a ditch along a dirt road but has been
paved since. Found some blue there. I found an infinite supply but I gotta get permission.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2013 23:47:17 GMT -5
What I admire most is that you keep such careful notes that you can return to the same spot after many months/years of time. AND still find a damn good iced cream! lol
The wall itself looks heat treated.
Check your mailbox.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Jul 15, 2013 0:11:45 GMT -5
I'll be checking the MB. I am fired up. What could it be Scott?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2013 13:01:48 GMT -5
well? Your prolly still sleeping since you posted at 2am.  |
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Jul 15, 2013 20:23:38 GMT -5
I am still waiting for my goodie(s). I am anxious.
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grayfingers
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Post by grayfingers on Jul 15, 2013 21:00:33 GMT -5
Great photos, James!! Love that jungle.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2013 21:30:25 GMT -5
I am still waiting for my goodie(s). I am anxious. It's in your mailbox already. No waiting required. |
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Jul 16, 2013 0:14:04 GMT -5
How do you know Scott?
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bhiatt
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2012
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Post by bhiatt on Jul 16, 2013 22:53:07 GMT -5
Crazy to think that there is fossil coral in that creek thing. How the heck did you spot that? Just walking the creek?What did you do go and take a leak behind the ice cream shop and seen it? kidding.
Watch out for that yellow(snow)coral cause you dont know where jamesp goes.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Jul 17, 2013 10:38:55 GMT -5
James Zappa, sister is Moon haha.
You just look for a creek or a deep excavation Brad. That one is slick and 30 feet below road grade level and will
whip you getting rock out. It is totally covered w/coral downstream.
The first day I went the water was 2 feet deep and going like 62 MPH. But the hard part is prying the stuff out of the clay.
The heat was incredible lest you sit down in the water and work. So the high water kept me cool.
The whole area has a 12 inch vein of coral with 10-30 feet of sand on top of it. Just got to find a ditch or creek that cuts thru to it.
I sent Helen there and she found it a lot of work. But I make it easier with a pull behind sleigh and throw the rocks up 15 feet on to
the ledge one at a time. I tried to tell her but she knew too much. I was laughing my buttocks off thinking about her doing it the hard
way. She won't listen the next time either LOL
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Fossilman
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Post by Fossilman on Jul 17, 2013 11:09:26 GMT -5
As always buddy,totally awesome coral...Great pics too......
Hey,when I lived in North Dakota,we would eat anything that walked flew or swam..LOL
My buddy shot a Sand Hill crane (Legal in ND)I tried it,to gamey,but ground up the meat and added my secret spices and made jerkey...Oh man it was good...Thats the only way I'll eat duck or goose too...
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
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Post by jamesp on Jul 17, 2013 11:32:42 GMT -5
I like jerked wild meat too Fossilman.
Got the coolest recipe to make jerky using peanut oil.
I think the temp is 500F which the peanut oil can handle.
Then throw the marinated meat in and give about 3-6 minutes.
Presto, super moist but heavily jerked.
Them deer out eating my livelihood have had both thighs jerked in short order.
The consistency is exactly jerky.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2013 15:44:01 GMT -5
James Zappa, sister is Moon haha. James with sister and pseudofather  |
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Jul 17, 2013 16:05:37 GMT -5
There they are. Great photo. He died about 20 years ago at a young age.
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quartz
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breakin' rocks in the hot sun
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Post by quartz on Jul 17, 2013 21:24:01 GMT -5
Beautiful stuff, and a lot of work to get it, thanks for the show.
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. LOL! 
