Fossil Plants from Cretaceous Laramie Formation - 12/14/2002
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Discussing the dig (left to right): Jennifer Haessig, Dod Reeves, Rich Barclay, Susan Passmore, Tom Nelson.

Discussing the dig (left to right): Jennifer Haessig, Dod Reeves, Rich Barclay, Susan Passmore, Tom Nelson.
Jennifer Haessig (Rocky Mountain Paleontology) discussing past findings at the site and taking field notes.

Jennifer Haessig (Rocky Mountain Paleontology) discussing past findings at the site and taking field notes.
It's difficult digging in the Laramie formation because the matrix rarely splits along the leaf plane. This was a rare exception.

It's difficult digging in the Laramie formation because the matrix rarely splits along the leaf plane. This was a rare exception.
A nice specimen, but the base and apex are missing - making it much harder to identify the leaf.

A nice specimen, but the base and apex are missing - making it much harder to identify the leaf.

A little prep work in the lab using air scribes will reveal the apex of this leaf.

A little prep work in the lab using air scribes will reveal the apex of this leaf.
Two nice fern specimens.

Two nice fern specimens.
A nice specimen, yet the apex of this leaf is gone. The sandstone environment in the Laramie formation where these leaves are found is very unforgiving.

A nice specimen, yet the apex of this leaf is gone. The sandstone environment in the Laramie formation where these leaves are found is very unforgiving.
Some nice ferns.

Some nice ferns.

Some nice ferns.

Some nice ferns.
Susan Passmore (DMNS volunteer)

Susan Passmore (DMNS volunteer)
Wrapped fossils, labeled with the locality are ready for transport back to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.

Wrapped fossils, labeled with the locality are ready for transport back to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.
Ferns and some wood.

Ferns and some wood.

Dod Reeves (DMNS volunteer) wrapping specimens. Rich Barclay (DMNS staff) in background.

Dod Reeves (DMNS volunteer) wrapping specimens. Rich Barclay (DMNS staff) in background.
Tom Nelson (DMNS volunteer) collecting fossils to wrap.

Tom Nelson (DMNS volunteer) collecting fossils to wrap.
Jennifer Haessig (Rocky Mountain Paleontology) labeling wrapped fossils.

Jennifer Haessig (Rocky Mountain Paleontology) labeling wrapped fossils.
Michele Reynolds (DMNS staff) hiding from the camera... as usual.

Michele Reynolds (DMNS staff) hiding from the camera... as usual.




If they would just come out in one piece!

If they would just come out in one piece!
Palm.

Palm.
Leaf showing insect damage (small rings).

Leaf showing insect damage (small rings).

Roots descending into the gray matrix which was above the productive yellowish sandstone layers.

Roots descending into the gray matrix which was above the productive yellowish sandstone layers.
Some hardhats are too boring. Steve Wagner (DMNS volunteer) let his 4 1/2 year old daughter decorate his hardhat. She said, "All these dinosaur stickers will help you find dinosaurs when you're digging." (A budding paleontologist for sure!)

Some hardhats are too boring. Steve Wagner (DMNS volunteer) let his 4 1/2 year old daughter decorate his hardhat. She said, "All these dinosaur stickers will help you find dinosaurs when you're digging." (A budding paleontologist for sure!)
Some hardhats are too boring. Steve Wagner (DMNS volunteer) let his 4 1/2 year old daughter decorate his hardhat. She said, "All these dinosaur stickers will help you find dinosaurs when you're digging." (A budding paleontologist for sure!)

Some hardhats are too boring. Steve Wagner (DMNS volunteer) let his 4 1/2 year old daughter decorate his hardhat. She said, "All these dinosaur stickers will help you find dinosaurs when you're digging." (A budding paleontologist for sure!)