June 2011 Vertebrate Find Of The Month

[JohnJ]

The field may be a bit smaller this month, but I still shake my head in amazement at what you have found. Which is your favorite for VFOTM?

The poll ends on Wednesday, July 6th. You can also vote in our other Poll HERE.

1. Schizodelphis morckhoviensis dolphin skull – (Miocene Calvert Formation) – MD, USA

2. Unidentified marine bird skull – (Miocene/Pliocene Tangahoe Formation) - New Zealand

3. Pathological bull shark tooth – (Miocene – Pleistocene) – FL, USA

4. Dermal Buckler pair from a stingray or skate – (Miocene / Pliocene) – FL, USA

5. Placoderm Armor fragment – (Devonian Hamilton Group) – Ontario, Canada

[Nandomas]

OH!!!!!

very difficult choice

[flyersfan805]

Agreed, very hard choice this month

[cowsharks]

Great to see some great specimens up for FOTM. I wonder though how many votes are influenced by being able to see the "preliminary" vote counts for each item. For example, it's no secret that right now the dolphin skull and bird skull are neck and neck garnering the majority of the votes. Does that sway anyone from voting for one of the other items with far fewer votes if they think their vote won't make a difference?

Just a thought.

Daryl.

[Auspex]

One can change one's vote also; still, it is still a level playing field. In the end, the criteria behind every vote is in the preferences of the voter, so we make no claims that the results are quantifiably objective.

>Rarity? How many can judge, given the range of fossils in the world?

>Scientific importance? See above.

>Beauty? In the eye of the beholder.

>Desirability? All of the above.

FOTM brings together a bunch of special fossils for our delectation, and is also meant to be fun.

[Terry Dactyll]

''and is also meant to be fun.''

Its always fun... What makes it difficult is the calibre of finds TFF members keep coming up with month after month... Tough month but good luck everyone

[astron]

What's a pitty one of the first two superb finds to come second!!!....

Two awards should be awarded...

[bmorefossil]

What's a pitty one of the first two superb finds to come second!!!....

Two awards should be awarded...

There have been times where 4 or 5 fossils could have won had they been found durring a different month.

[cowsharks]

One can change one's vote also; still, it is still a level playing field. In the end, the criteria behind every vote is in the preferences of the voter, so we make no claims that the results are quantifiably objective.

>Rarity? How many can judge, given the range of fossils in the world?

>Scientific importance? See above.

>Beauty? In the eye of the beholder.

>Desirability? All of the above.

FOTM brings together a bunch of special fossils for our delectation, and is also meant to be fun.

I agree.

"delectation" = delight, for our pleasure.....I learned a new word here.

Daryl.