I was happy as a clam when I saw bit on the BBC website about fossil finds in Wyoming that detail the early explosion of mammal species after the extinction of the non-avian dinosaurs. Further poking around the t00bz uncovered an interview on Chicago Tonight with Dr Lance Grande of the Field Museum, the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois. In the course of the interview, Dr Grande displays some gorgeously preserved fossils:
I am especially intrigued by the bird fossils which show the early evolution of parrots and the hummingbird/swift divergence. Also fascinating to me are the fossils of long-tailed, day flying bats and a carnivore with the earliest appearance of a prehensile tail.
Dr Grande's book, The Lost World of Fossil Lake: Snapshots from Deep Time, looks gorgeous. Hopefully, he'll be conducting a book tour that will bring him the NYC in the near future... I know some people who'd want to have a word with him.
I would like to know how clams got to be so happy.
ReplyDelete~
The fossels of the big fish eating the small fish, and the two sting rays mating are amazing. Caught in the act, in both instances.
ReplyDeleteDr. Grande (AWESOME name - pretty sure he came up with that on his own and changed it from Friedrich Roche to Lance! Grande!) would have a field day in my sock drawer.
ReplyDeleteHe might not initially be fascinated by just another damn Hadrosaur Pelvis - honestly, the things were the cattle of the Upper Cretaceous - but when he realized that there is very clearly a .375 H&H lead slug buried in the fossilized bone, oh, I think THAT will get his attention...
Coincidentally, my kid is out in Drumheller, Alberta with his grandparents and spent today at http://www.tyrrellmuseum.com/ ....His Facebook Timeline is chock full of fossil pics. He's having a blast and extra-especially enjoyed the dinosaur poop.
ReplyDeleteWell YEAH.
ReplyDeleteI mean Duh. Who doesn't?
how clams got to be so happy.
ReplyDeleteThey got legs.
Oh dear.
ReplyDeleteZZ Top as a shellfish vendor.
Think I'll have a cocktail...
I would like to know how clams got to be so happy.
ReplyDeleteI'd ask them, but they were delicious!
The fossels of the big fish eating the small fish, and the two sting rays mating are amazing. Caught in the act, in both instances.
It's an amazing look at a moment in time. My all-time favorite fossil is that of two dinosaurs fighting.
52 million years! I thought that the Earth was only 3000 years old. ;p
All this proof MUST be lies!!!!
Of course, you being 29, and all...
Dr. Grande (AWESOME name - pretty sure he came up with that on his own and changed it from Friedrich Roche to Lance! Grande!) would have a field day in my sock drawer.
Dr Roche would be a good paleontologist name!
He might not initially be fascinated by just another damn Hadrosaur Pelvis - honestly, the things were the cattle of the Upper Cretaceous - but when he realized that there is very clearly a .375 H&H lead slug buried in the fossilized bone, oh, I think THAT will get his attention...
Put it in the Large Hadrosaur Collider!
Coincidentally, my kid is out in Drumheller, Alberta with his grandparents and spent today at http://www.tyrrellmuseum.com/ ....His Facebook Timeline is chock full of fossil pics. He's having a blast and extra-especially enjoyed the dinosaur poop.
Well, I'm jealous now!
Well YEAH.
I mean Duh. Who doesn't?
It annoys the flies.
They got legs
Beards, too.
ZZ Top as a shellfish vendor.
I thought those guys were Orthodox rabbis!