Belgrade 6-2014

Members of the NCFC met on June 27, 2014 at the Belgrade, Martin Marietta quarry in Maysville, NC.  This was a much anticipated trip due to the fact that hunting fossils had been limited over the last year or so.  There had previously been rain over the last few months in the quarry and hopes were high that there may be some wonderful finds.  Visiting with everyone was such a delight as said by many. Such a great group of members and everyone had a smile on their faces. We all were required to watch a safety video and sign the needed papers to gain entrance to the quarry.  The area which we were all led to was a new area which I had not personally been to. The area was vast and stretched along the borders of the main excavation area. During our trip, they did do one blast.  The weather was exceedingly humid and hot.  Everyone took the precautions needed and we had a safe and productive trip! Around 1:00 the clouds began to roll in and lightening began to strike in the distance. This was the time for us to all pack up and head out. The heavy rain and wind made for an interesting ride out of the quarry. Everyone left with some terrific finds! This is a report of some of the super finds from some of the members. There were many more than these. Mark McKoy and Skylar McKoy found Mako teeth, a whale tooth, crocodile teeth, whale vertebrae, petrified wood and an Angustidens tooth.  Bruce Hargreaves found a crocodile tooth, a Tiger Shark tooth and a three inch shark tooth.  Victor Krynicki found a large vertebrae  and turtle material. Cindi Wyatt found many beautiful shark teeth including Hemipristis and vertebrae. Keith Smalley found large Tuna vertebrae.  Lynn Moore found some shark teeth and petrified wood.  Stephen Jefferies found some shark teeth and a great whale tooth.  Julie Niederkorn found vertebrae, bone and a large gastropod as well as shark teeth. There were at least five large Angustidens found during this trip. A member did find a gorgeous whelk fossil, largest one I have seen in a long time from this quarry.  The whelk was in remarkable condition! I would like to thank the members whom attended and braved the weather! I would also like to extend a thank you from the NCFC to the gentlemen at the Belgrade, Martin Marietta quarry for allowing the club access. Also, a thank you to the gentleman whom supervised us during the hunt.  He is an employee at the quarry.  He loaded up heavy specimens of petrified wood and hauled it up the quarry road for us.  Libby Smalley