MFowler Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 I'm trying to build a book reading list (for myself) so I can learn more about how to identify the fossils of N Texas and where to look for them so I don't have to harass the good people of this forum with the more trivial finds I get. I've had some recommendations and saw some online but there are a lot of them (as I'm sure you know) and I was hoping ya'll could help me narrow down the list. Please remember I'm new at this and not a scientist (Investment Adviser) so the less complex the better...for now anyway :-) Thanks in advance for your help. -Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missourian Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 (edited) There are two that come to mind: A Field Guide to Fossils of Texas http://www.amazon.com/Field-Guide-Fossils-Texas-Publishing/dp/0891230440 Pennsylvanian Fossils of North Texas: http://www.amazon.com/Pennsylvanian-Fossils-Of-North-Texas/dp/1105682145 The first one is pretty good (I'm pretty sure what I have is an earlier printing, but I can't check it at the moment). I haven't seen the second book. Edited March 30, 2013 by Missourian Context is critical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 Every 'trivial' find you post helps educate countless readers (up to 45,000 per month). By all means, get your books, but please don't stop posting your finds! I expect, as time goes by, you'll be starting fewer Fossil ID topics, and more Member Collection topics. Every learner is a teacher. "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley >Paleontology is an evolving science. >May your wonders never cease! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MFowler Posted March 31, 2013 Author Share Posted March 31, 2013 Thanks for the links Missouri. I ordered the NSR fossil guide today and those two you mentioned look good as well. Auspex, thanks for the encouragement. I'll be posting what I found yesterday soon :-) Think I got some good stuff, but I can't find a shark tooth to save my life...maybe I'm trying too hard. Ya'll are great on this forum...the way you involve rookies and answer all our questions that you've probably heard 1,000 times. Creates a good culture, because I will be eager to help newcomers the way you all have me. Thanks to both of you, Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MFowler Posted April 1, 2013 Author Share Posted April 1, 2013 There are two that come to mind: A Field Guide to Fossils of Texas http://www.amazon.com/Field-Guide-Fossils-Texas-Publishing/dp/0891230440 Pennsylvanian Fossils of North Texas: http://www.amazon.com/Pennsylvanian-Fossils-Of-North-Texas/dp/1105682145 The first one is pretty good (I'm pretty sure what I have is an earlier printing, but I can't check it at the moment). I haven't seen the second book. Great...exactly what I was looking for! I ordered the field guide and the NSR book this weekend. I'm gonna wait on the Pennsylvanian book till I read those, but it's next on the list. Thanks again -Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beach Boy Posted April 1, 2013 Share Posted April 1, 2013 Mark I am new to this forum and i can't agree with you more , some of these guys are fossil encyclopedias and are more than happy to help with anything you throw at them. Welcome to the forum Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikecable Posted April 1, 2013 Share Posted April 1, 2013 Not a book, but perhaps your most important resource is the Geologic Atlas of Texas. It is available online here-- http://www.twdb.state.tx.us/groundwater/aquifer/gat/ and you can order paper copies here-- http://www.beg.utexas.edu/pubs/pubs-CrossSecAtlas.php I completed my paper set this summers, as I've had the privilege of attending a number of teacher workshops at the Bureau of Economic Geology at UT Austin over the past few years. The Geologic Highway Map gives you the big picture, but the individural quads are more useful in the field. I would start with the Dallas quad in your area, and then add the eight surrounding quads next. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MFowler Posted April 1, 2013 Author Share Posted April 1, 2013 Mark I am new to this forum and i can't agree with you more , some of these guys are fossil encyclopedias and are more than happy to help with anything you throw at them. Welcome to the forum Dave Hi Dave, I'm a fossil veteran of a whopping 3 weeks now and I learn not one, but several new things every day on this forum. I LOVE IT! These people are fantastic and more than willing to help out a rookie like me and never make me feel like a rookie. Thanks for the welcome, -Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MFowler Posted April 1, 2013 Author Share Posted April 1, 2013 Not a book, but perhaps your most important resource is the Geologic Atlas of Texas. It is available online here-- http://www.twdb.state.tx.us/groundwater/aquifer/gat/ and you can order paper copies here-- http://www.beg.utexas.edu/pubs/pubs-CrossSecAtlas.php I completed my paper set this summers, as I've had the privilege of attending a number of teacher workshops at the Bureau of Economic Geology at UT Austin over the past few years. The Geologic Highway Map gives you the big picture, but the individural quads are more useful in the field. I would start with the Dallas quad in your area, and then add the eight surrounding quads next. Great stuff...thanks! I've heard about those, but haven't been able to find them so thank you for the links. -Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Siphuncle Posted April 1, 2013 Share Posted April 1, 2013 mark- general tip, but not a universal rule: in texas, shark teeth are often found concentrated in thin beds of glauconitic shell hash studded with phosphate pellets. following this trend in the eagle ford members and other formations often helps eliminate much of the strat column if your specific focus is shark teeth. often once you find one, you get dozens to hundreds as these glauconitic lenses or lag deposits are encountered. 2 Grüße, Daniel A. Wöhr aus Südtexas "To the motivated go the spoils." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Siphuncle Posted April 1, 2013 Share Posted April 1, 2013 your exuberance reminds me of my own 10 years ago when the search began! Grüße, Daniel A. Wöhr aus Südtexas "To the motivated go the spoils." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MFowler Posted April 1, 2013 Author Share Posted April 1, 2013 mark- general tip, but not a universal rule: in texas, shark teeth are often found concentrated in thin beds of glauconitic shell hash studded with phosphate pellets. following this trend in the eagle ford members and other formations often helps eliminate much of the strat column if your specific focus is shark teeth. often once you find one, you get dozens to hundreds as these glauconitic lenses or lag deposits are encountered. your exuberance reminds me of my own 10 years ago when the search began! Thanks Dan, I'm adding that to my information file :-) If you asked my wife, she would say I'm 'obsessed' with looking for fossils & this forum :-) We had a nice thunderstorm up here Saturday and all I could think of was when I could get back to the NSR to see what the rain stirred up :-) She's not surprised though because she's known me since I was 16 (now 39) and knows I've always been a rock hound and love digging in creeks. Thanks again, Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boneman007 Posted April 1, 2013 Share Posted April 1, 2013 your exuberance reminds me of my own 10 years ago when the search began! It reminds me of how you are NOW Dan! I won't comment on myself... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Siphuncle Posted April 1, 2013 Share Posted April 1, 2013 (edited) ...i can neither confirm nor deny these allegations...(removing headlamp and climbing down 21 foot extension ladder at 2a.m.) Edited April 1, 2013 by danwoehr Grüße, Daniel A. Wöhr aus Südtexas "To the motivated go the spoils." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erose Posted April 3, 2013 Share Posted April 3, 2013 MFowler, your only hope now is a full frontal lobotomy. But it is probably too late so welcome to the hobby! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MFowler Posted April 3, 2013 Author Share Posted April 3, 2013 I think you're right :-) I know thats what the wife thinks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missourian Posted April 3, 2013 Share Posted April 3, 2013 If that's what 'hope' means, then I want my 'hopes' dashed. Context is critical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts