of course!
Fossil hunting along beaches is best during the stormy time of the year, especially when the tides are cooperating. The storms and tides cooperate to remove tons of sand from beaches and leave large rocky, and rock laden, expanses [IBL]. We got lucky, not only did the storm season and the tides cooperate, but we also had perfect weather!
We've been planning this trip for a while, Dana and me. December was too busy, so we were hoping for January... maybe February (but leaving it that long we were concerned something else would come up and we would miss the winter beach). The low tides in January fell during good daylight hours during the first and 3rd weeks of January (we had good weather the first week too). We had the time for a longer trip, so we considered the Pacific Coast of Washington and Oregon. Since the total time to get to the areas along the Pacific coast that I know have fossils would take anywhere from at most 1 hour difference-in-drive-time and it was expected to be 10+ degrees warmer (F, of course) on the central Oregon coast, I chose Oregon... it seemed worth the extra drive!
While our excursion was short, away only 3 days including drive time, it was very successful so several blog posts will be used to discuss this excursion.
Here are a few preview images to hold you while I go through a short checklist of "things to bring" (for the scientists out there this is the "Materials" list!) and basic prep for those who would like to plan their own beach fossil excursion:
Things to Bring (Materials)
sturdy bucket(s)
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water
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rubber tub w/ lid
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snack(s)
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small containers /ziploc bags
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camera(s)*
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toothbrush (old)
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map*
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magnifying glass
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notebook
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rock hammer*
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fossil book(s)*
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tape measure / ruler*
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tidal chart/ info
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*not necessary but nice to have!
Preparing for fossil hunting on the winter beach is generally very different than "going to the beach" in summer. Make sure you prepare for the weather (usually cold and wet), dress in layers so you can adjust for changing weather, and have a plan for getting you (your group) warm and dry. Water and snacks are very important as you are likely to lose track of time (I can't imagine why ; ) and suddenly find that you are, or someone in your group is, very depleted! The items on the list above will generally make your fossil hunting expedition easier and more enjoyable, especially if you have a group with you that may need to take breaks from the actual fossil hunting. Some science / educational activities associated with this will be discussed in a separate blog on this excursion.
A couple quick notes on this type of activity if you are new to it or "it has been a while":
> if you are not a yoga enthusiast and/ or under 30, bending over repetitively over the course of hour(s) may make you sore ; ) .
> watch the tides and waves closely! The general rule is "do not turn your back on the ocean". There is good reason for following this rule of thumb while fossil hunting, it is very easy to "forget" that waves/ surf is unpredictable and that you have a changing tide when you are distracted by fossils and agates luring you across a beach and you can end up very wet, at the least.
> extra care/ attention needs to be taken when taking young children and individuals with health issues on this type of excursion.
OK, enough of the "prep" information! If you'd like more info about that feel free to ask/ e-mail and more can be provided.
Join us in our ongoing Quest...
... continued in... Coastal Fossils - Gifts of the Winter Beach #2 [IBL]
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