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Post by liveoak on Mar 8, 2022 11:20:46 GMT -5
Thought I'd show off some of the fossil shells we've collected on the Econofina River in NW Florida . Canoeing down the river we found exposed areas of them in the banks on the sides of the river in a couple of places.
Amazingly many still perfectly intact, small & large. Even the little points on the shells, and some even have fossil barnacles on them.
We've found that although some of them look like present day shells you'd find on the beach, they have subtle differences.
They are from what is called the " Chipola formation".
My husband Tom spent many hours with a dental pick getting some of them out of the matrix .
The larger conglomerate is a sample of what they started out like.
The access to the river is very difficult- these are from the middle section of the river from Walsingham Bridge to Rt 20.
The creek is best known from Rt 20 down, as that is where all the tubers & canoe renters go for the springs.
We floated down from Walsingham with 2 SOT kayaks & a canoe ,with 4 people, but the river was clogged with blow downs, strainers , etc , and now especially since Hurricane Michael I don't even know if it would be passable.
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Post by liveoak on Mar 8, 2022 14:21:41 GMT -5
Not sure if I know how to tag some one- but here's a try . Thought you'd appreciate this one Jim @ jamesp
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,154
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Post by jamesp on Mar 8, 2022 15:16:27 GMT -5
If you guys start hunting coral you will be raising cane about the same issue - river access. Another story for another day. I have a couple of tiny Keowee kayaks like under 10 feet and 30 pounds. Love them. To link just type '@' before their user name. @ l i v e o a k but no spaces = liveoakThose are some impressive and delicate fossilizations Patty. A sign of fine specimens, it's all about a gentle habitat and quality of the preservation process. As you move to the east you will find more silicified fossils like coral and clams and sediments(chert). Yes, those are familiar shells that can be found on the beach. Sure looks like the masses have not picked over the treasures on the Econofina. Have you guys paddled that stretch on numerous occasions ? Have always wanted to hit the Econifina, and the Aucilla. I am certain some friends have collected silicified coral on the Aucilla but me not sure where. The Aucilla a hop and jump from your place. H Michael may have rearranged the river too. May be loaded with deadfalls but may be worth the wrestle. I missed out going to Hurricane pass just west of Mexico Beach after Michael ripped the beach to pieces. There were Native artifacts on the east point of the pass. May still be there. I used to stay at Mexico Beach during out off season. You can get to Hurricane Pass by car with some heavy hiking, best to park at a park east of there and ride bicycle down beach to the pass. Also consider collecting the tip of Cape San Blas, Michael tore it up badly. The south shore of St. Vincent island has insane sea shells. Best to get there by motor boat out of Indian Pass ramp.
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Mark K
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Post by Mark K on Mar 8, 2022 16:57:00 GMT -5
I found a spot in the Keys where there is a deposit like that. I didn't get any large shells out of it, but I did get a perfectly intact worm shell out of it and the entire shell was there, even the tiny point. It is tedious getting the shells out of the matrix.
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Post by jasoninsd on Mar 8, 2022 18:13:43 GMT -5
liveoak - Those were fun to look at! Thanks for posting the pics of those!
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Post by liveoak on Mar 8, 2022 19:02:55 GMT -5
jamespSt Vincent is our place to go to. In fact we're overdue for our spring trip. We go over the pass with our 12' SOT kayaks & usually have the entire 7 mile beach to ourselves. That place is a treasure. Time for a geography lesson (since you've been giving me a history lesson on the shards :-) I think you are thinking of the other Econfina River- as there are 2. The one we are taking about is in Bay County FL., further west. We've been on the Aucilla & the Wacissa - interestingly, there is a dug "slave canal" that connects them. I think someone pulled a mastodon skull out of there some years back with a spear point still in it. Now that would be find. We might not have rocks down here, but at least we have fossils :-) Patty
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Post by liveoak on Mar 8, 2022 19:23:05 GMT -5
The University of Florida has a site that we were able to look up and identify the fossil shells.
The fossils are not QUITE like the present day ones you find on St Vincent, etc
(and I have quite a collection of modern era shells.)
The fossil shells from the Chipola formation on the Econfina are different---evolution at work.
It looks like they are updating their site - but is worth the effort when it starts working again- excellent site for ID's fossils:
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Post by fernwood on Mar 9, 2022 3:23:49 GMT -5
Those are very well preserved. It must have taken a lot of time to remive the matrix and leave the points on the shells.
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jamesp
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Posts: 36,154
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Post by jamesp on Mar 9, 2022 5:48:24 GMT -5
jamespSt Vincent is our place to go to. In fact we're overdue for our spring trip. We go over the pass with our 12' SOT kayaks & usually have the entire 7 mile beach to ourselves. That place is a treasure. Time for a geography lesson (since you've been giving me a history lesson on the shards :-) I think you are thinking of the other Econfina River- as there are 2. The one we are taking about is in Bay County FL., further west. We've been on the Aucilla & the Wacissa - interestingly, there is a dug "slave canal" that connects them. I think someone pulled a mastodon skull out of there some years back with a spear point still in it. Now that would be find. We might not have rocks down here, but at least we have fossils :-) Patty Ah, you know about that paradise. 7 miles of beautiful beach all to yourself. Some fine shells sure roll in there. During my off-season and after scallop season Sept. 6 I would rent a spot cheap at Mexico Beach. I had a boat and friends would visit weekends to fish. Well, after taking the boys out fishing I had to take their dang wives shell collecting on St. Vincent as if I was not already worn out lol. I dropped them on the beach to collect and got needed sleep in the boat anchored just out in the surf. Lady's love to collect shells ! Well there are two Withlacoochee's, why not two Econfina's ! The north one has the coral... Thanks for that head's up lol. I'll get them located and figured out. As far as spectacular geology the Suwannee wins that category from White Springs down to the Live Oak music park boat ramp. If you haven't paddled it please consider.
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,154
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Post by jamesp on Mar 9, 2022 5:57:56 GMT -5
The University of Florida has a site that we were able to look up and identify the fossil shells.
The fossils are not QUITE like the present day ones you find on St Vincent, etc
(and I have quite a collection of modern era shells.) The fossil shells from the Chipola formation on the Econfina are different---evolution at work.
It looks like they are updating their site - but is worth the effort when it starts working again- excellent site for ID's fossils:
Great site liveoak. That site will shed light on the incredible fossil inventory of Florida. And Florida is an awesome place to fossil hunt. Those clear rivers and warm weather make a for a heavenly habitat. 95F, 2 to 4 feet of crystal clear cool water, snorkel and mask, sand bottom and a bright sun overhead is an unmatched treasure hunt. The Florida chapter of the Fossil Forum is the Florida fossil hunter's connection. Many of the members are hard hitting paleontologists and experienced hobbyists. www.thefossilforum.com/index.php?/topic/44962-sharks-teeth-with-colors/&tab=comments#comment-487552
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Post by liveoak on Mar 9, 2022 6:51:20 GMT -5
Thanks for the tip on the FL fossil forum jamesp. We'll check it out. You're right fernwood, fortunately my husband has a LOT of patience . But not all of them were stuck in the matrix, some were just loose in the mud & rinsed out perfectly.
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