This site is on PRIVATE LAND. I was privileged to hunt on the mesa with the express permission of the owner.
Baculite Mesa
Although on private land, the owner of Baculite Mesa allows collecting for personal use on a limited basis with pre-approved permission.
Pierre Shale
In this area, the Pierre shale is a loose muddy shale, punctuated outcrops of hard rock.
The terrain is quite barren. Water and sun protection is essential on hot days.
Baculite Ammonoid
This is typical of the baculite fragments which give this area its name.
Baculite Mesa
These hard rock formations poke up through the muddy shale and are fossiliferous.
Bivalves
Some of the outcrops are full of bivalves of several different species.
Red Outcrop
There are no fossils in the red outcrops.
Baculite Fragment in Situ
Another Baculite Fragment in Situ
More Baculite fragments in situ
Baculite Fragments of the Pierre Shale
These are the fragments I took home after about 2 hours of hunting. I left many more in place.
Bivalves of the Pierre Shale
At least three different bivalves are present. The only other fossil I found was a small gastropod in matrix.
Baculite Mesa
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