Opisthopteryx gracilis Fish Fossil

Opisthopyteryx gracilis fish fossil on display at Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in 2010.  Fish swam around in the late Cretaceous period in what is now Lebanon.

Huronia Silurian Cephalopod Iowa

Middle Silurian cephalopod fossil on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.  The fossil is labeled Huronia from Iowa (420 million years ago).  Image was taken in 2010.

Trace Fossil in the Making?

The picture shows a fresh water mussel out for a jaunt.  The U shaped trail is about 8-10 cms wide and the creature making it is about 13 cm long. 

I find the shells of this animal on local river banks and lake shores but have not seen one this size alive in its habitat.  It looks it uses its foot to move through the sediment in search of food.  Picture taken in Kentucky.

Thanks to my friend Herb for sending this image along.