Inoceramus Cretaceous Clam Fossil

These bivalve fossils were found in the Niobarra and Pierre formations of the Western Interior Seaway.  The Inoceramus sp. clams were one of the more common fossils found from the Cretaceous Period (Mesozoic Era). Some clams could grow over a meter in diameter.

Cretaceous Period Map from Wikipedia.org

These specimens were on display in July 2011 at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  See my write up of that trip: CLICK HERE.

Queens Tears Flower Blooming

This is my first attempt at a YouTube animation and I chose a flower in the sunroom that was blooming as the subject. The plant is the Queen Tears or Billbergia nutans. The video of the flower consists of 87 images taken on 11-11-11 over several hours on a 7 minute interval. The video is set to segments of Wagner's Fantasie, Funeral March, and Finale performed by the U.S. Marine Band.

Thanks to Aunt Nita for the plant with its so exotic blooms.

Video can be found directly at this link: http://youtu.be/4T-K8doGPFs

Same plant blooming in December 2009 (LINK)

African Archean Fossil

This specimen is thought to be over 2.5 billion years old. Bacteria and algae appeared at this time in the water.  Volcanic activity produced increased atmospheric pressure and temperature.  The higher temperature caused serpentization of the sediments thus the green color. In between the layers the micro stromatolites (like algal mats).

This fossil was found in southern Africa's Greenstone Belt.  Its green color definitely matches the formation name.  Unique about the fossil material is it is called butterstone dated to the geologic eon Archean.
See more on eBay: CLICK HERE
 

In addition, here are pictures of oolitic agate formed on a Wyoming seafloor during the Eocene. Check it out on eBay: CLICK HERE