Illinois Fossils

Nice finds for sure. I think I would be tempted to drill through a couple of the cylinder crinoid pieces lengthwise in top left corner of your photo and run a cord through for cool pendants.

Chuck

Nice collection, good variety. Lucky you. Thanks for the show.

Cool,a bit of everything....Awesome!

that one(just right of center) looks like red horn coral from Utah.

I've thought the same thing myself but have never gotten around to trying it. I might have enough of them now to make a choker.

That one was actually my favorite find of the day. Wasn't sure what it was but it's cone shaped so horn coral makes sense.

I personally haven't explored a great deal of the river. A former co-worker , who basically grew up there, told me that "Indian beads" are everywhere. He was talking about crinoid stems of course. As you can see from the pic they are plentiful. I can tell you where these were found. I go to Matthiessen State Park. It is a series of canyons cut from sand stone which used to be the private hunting grounds of a wealthy Chicagoan. He left it to the state at his passing. There are a couple water falls and some really interesting sights. The park itself is worth a visit. You'll want to go into the Dells area. Any way at the bottom of the canyon is a creek/stream. Follow the creek south (I'm terrible with direction so I think it's south) but downstream none the less, out of the park proper. The creek joins the river and there is a sizeable gravel bar there. When the water is low it's an ankle deep wade to get to the bar and it's really good hunting there.
You might want to check out the Braidwood State Fish and Wildlife Area. www.dnr.state.il.us/lands/Landmgt/PARKS/R2/MAZONIA.htm It's closer to Chicago. Haven't been there myself but is on my someday list. Hope this helps.