Turns out, a sandstone ridge near our house is highly fossiliferous.

In fact, we’ve dubbed it “Ammonite Ridge,” thanks to the abundant fossils of these ancient ancestors of the nautilus.

Mike and I enjoy exploring the ridge, looking for new discoveries. Recently, we scrambled to the top with some friends.

And look what we found!

 

Fossils of ammonites, which are extinct marine mollusc animals (most of the fossils we found are 6-8 inches in diameter, some are considerably larger)

 

 

 

 

Fragments of ancient clamshells

 

 

 

 

 

 

Petrified wood embedded in the sandstone (Melody has her hand on a branch)

 

 

 

 

 

An actual dinosaur footprint, which had already been discovered and has been identified as an Ankylosaurus track

 

 

Here is a closer look of the Ankylosaurus track. No, it doesn’t look like a footprint – this is one of those times when you scratch your head and say, “How do paleontologists know?” It’s pretty amazing that scientists can figure out this stuff.  :>

All photos by Patrice Rhoades-Baum

 

 

If you enjoy geology and paleontology, click HERE to read “A Survey of Fossils and Geology of Red Rock Canyon Open Space, Colorado Springs, Colorado” by Sharon Milito.