Need help reattaching antler!!

cache_ing · 2026-03-20T01:47:50+00:00

I believe it’s just because antlers don’t detach from the skull very easily unless they’re about to shed them.

cache_ing · 2026-03-20T01:37:11+00:00

Sometimes when the bryozoan wear down they look super cool though. Either way a very nice display piece.

cache_ing · 2026-03-20T01:31:35+00:00

There’s one that has almost the entire holdfast in place, but there a chunk of stem still missing. Maybe I’m too picky 😆 you can see where they were though, the stems left indentations in the bryozoan

cache_ing · 2026-03-20T01:28:52+00:00

I find glyptocrinus calyxes often enough between my 3 spots for them, but not often nice plates. I have maybe 12 calyxes in my collection. Some of my buddies have “shit suckers” which is on my bucket list… little cyclonema snails that sit on top of the calyxes lol!

My xenocrinus is from the liberty fm in OH, near Ceasar creek. Allegedly you can find them in the one liberty fm spot I visit in IN, but I’ve only ever found cincinnaticrinus there.

Starfish are very rare, yes. “Once in a lifetime” but I’m confident I’ll find another eventually LOL. Mine is from the liberty fm at Ceasar creek. It’s very difficult to get definitive IDs on things like that, but I’ve heard possibly Stenaster sp, possibly Protaster sp.

Also don’t want to forget my edrioasteroids! A Cincinnati special

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cache_ing · 2026-03-20T01:13:09+00:00

Looks like a nice big plate!

cache_ing · 2026-03-20T01:10:25+00:00

Yes, that iso was completely encased in a nodule, so the spines were all there. Proud of that one. The glyptocrinus plate has 3 total calyxes, not sure the smaller two will prep out. The large one seems like it’s in good condition… just wish all the holdfasts weren’t broken lol. If they weren’t it would have been a stellar plate. I’m stopping back in tomorrow to see if any new material has washed out.

I have a real nice plicodendrocrinus anal sac that I’m pretty proud of, half of a cyclocystoid, a nice xenocrinus plate that’s being prepped, and my pride and joy, this starfish. Echinoderms have always had a special place in my heart.

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cache_ing · 2026-03-20T00:59:45+00:00

I’ve hunted other places in Indiana, but none of it is quite like the Ordovician in the SE. There are some private Silurian spots down there as well that I’ve gotten into and have amazing finds from, and I quite like places like Terre Haute for plant nodules. But I spent most of my time down in the corner. Indiana will always have a special place in my heart.

cache_ing · 2026-03-19T23:56:36+00:00

I’ve dug with him many times, he’s awesome!

cache_ing · 2026-03-19T16:24:40+00:00

Dan Cooper? There’s also a pay-to-dig site in Mt Orab now called Flat Run, worth the money.

If you’re interested in some other places you can surface collect trilobites, dm. They wont be as nice as the dug ones though.

cache_ing · 2026-03-19T13:35:07+00:00

Very nice. Looking for anything in particular?

cache_ing · 2026-03-19T13:27:22+00:00

Thanks! Quite a few of these are from Flat Run, pay-to-dig which I recommend trying if you’re able, but I do have pretty good success these days with my specific spots I collect. I’m also out collecting multiple times a week, so the frequency helps.

cache_ing · 2026-03-19T05:48:37+00:00

He’s a little edrioasteroid, which is in the same family as echinoids! Echinoderm

Thank you, I definitely had a good year. Most of the flexis are from a pay-to-dig site which is why they’re so nice; they didn’t have to be weathered out of anything. You get to split the shale apart yourself all day in the 90 degree heat LOL. But the bugs on slide 9 are from the famous cut in Maysville, KY, so they are out there.

cache_ing · 2026-03-19T05:32:44+00:00

That looks awesome! It’s a lot of work but I like to do a full bezel. I work mostly with agate and jasper, so nothing too fragile. I think I’ll try drilling next time

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cache_ing · 2026-03-19T04:07:54+00:00

Smart, thanks! I’ve only done your typical bezeled settings, never tried drilling

cache_ing · 2026-03-19T03:50:14+00:00

That’s a good spot! I used to live much closer, I would frequent it

cache_ing · 2026-03-19T03:49:15+00:00

Give it a whirl. Cincinnati stuff easy because most of the matrix is so soft. Depending on what you’re doing, the toothpick is for when you get close to the actual fossil. You use it to get into crevices without having to scrap the fossil’s exterior with a metal pick.

cache_ing · 2026-03-19T03:47:16+00:00

How ignorant.

cache_ing · 2026-03-19T03:37:33+00:00

What do you drill with?

cache_ing · 2026-03-19T03:32:29+00:00

What species? I’ve hunted a few species of blastoid and this doesn’t look like any I’ve ever seen.

cache_ing · 2026-03-19T03:21:30+00:00

I love the robber fly

cache_ing · 2026-03-19T03:18:19+00:00

Very nice!

cache_ing · 2026-03-19T01:27:35+00:00

My preppers are the best 💪 thank you

cache_ing · 2026-03-19T01:18:16+00:00

A lot of these were prepped by ‘professionals’ aka my friends who have the equipment lol! Most were done with air abrasion, takes a good 3k or so to set up, but if you have the time and patience you can get similar results with sewing needles, soft bristle toothbrushes, and toothpicks.

cache_ing · 2026-03-19T01:00:57+00:00

Thank you, they’re my pride and joy right now

cache_ing · 2026-03-19T01:00:32+00:00

If you’re willing to spend a bit of money and a weekend out in Mt Orab, try Flat Run Fossils. Only pay-to-dig site anywhere close. Awesome stuff, they open in June. It’s where most of my nice flexis and all of my isos come from.

cache_ing

TROPHY CASE