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| June 29, 2008, Sunday Saturday Gretchen Gürtler and I left fairly early for my locality, not as early as we had planned, but early. There had been a couple of inches of rain since our last visit to the locality. We worked our way from site to site, searching the badlands in between for anything new. For as much erosion as was visible, we were not finding much material exposed until we reached sites I, III, IV, and V. At Site III, I collected some Trilophosaurus material. At Site IV, Gretchen collected a Trilophosaurus 5th metatarsal. At Site V, Gretchen found the first Arganodus toothplate known from this locality, and an articulated ilium and pubis. I collected a tiny astragalus there also. At Site I, Gretchen collected another astragalus and a dinosauromorph vertebra, while I collected a large, interesting vertebra. After finishing at Site I, we returned to Lubbock and spent the rest of the evening sorting, preparing, and identifying the material we collected. Today we spent the day making the final edits on our Llano Estacado mosasaur paper for its final submission tomorrow. |
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| June 14, 2008, Saturday The sun had yet to breach the horizon as Gretchen, Katherine, and I headed to the field to meet a friend of the landowner. The sunrise was nice but not fabulous. We saw a number of deer on the way into the ranch. Our first stop was at the "Postosuchus" locality that Gretchen and I had visited March 16. There was quite a bit of metoposaur material exposed but it was too highly disintegrated to collect. Gretchen did discover a huge, nice Koskinonodon atlas vertebra. She also found a Doswellia scute, a couple of rauisuchid teeth, and some phytosaur material. Gretchen and Katherine prospected there while the friend and I went back to the north to where he had collected a couple of dentaries. We then picked up Gretchen and Kat and went on another futile attempt to relocate a phytosaur locality the landowner's friend had found. After failing to find the site, Gretchen, Kat, and I returned to the site where I found the disarticulated metoposaur skull on March 16. We found another exploded metoposaur skull and Gretchen found another rauisuchid tooth. Finally, about 2:00 pm it was getting warm enough that we bailed out and headed home. The rest of the afternoon and early evening was spent preparing Gretchen's specimens. |
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| June 1, 2008, Sunday Gretchen and I left Lubbock at dawn to head for the locality (0690). It was already very warm and the temperature was to exceed 100 degrees. We saw wild turkey, deer, and a variety of other wildlife on the way to the locality. At the locality we started out searching a couple of areas we had not examined in a while. Then we went to Gretchen's phytosaur jaw site. She collected a few elements of float that had been washed out since we were there April 6th. While she was collecting the phytosaur jaw elements, I went to Site 10 and collected some rauisuchid teeth. After that, we headed west. To the west, Gretchen found an interesting vertebra, aetosaur dermal scutes, and other elements. I found an interesting aetosaur paramedian scute and several other interesting elements. We bailed out shortly after noon when it began to heat up. The temperature reached 107* for the high. |
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It was already a hot day as Gretchen Gürtler and I arrived at the locality. As we prepared to hike into the locality, the landowner's son stopped by to visit. We hiked into the locality and Gretchen took off exploring the ravine that trended to the southwest where she found a skull fragment, possibly of a phytosaur. She found a couple of other bone fragments. I found nothing until I reached the southern limit of the locality. There I found part of a rauisuchid tooth, a tiny fragment of an aetosaur scute with the anterior bar, and some Libognathus material. I found a Libognathus dentary with 2 1/2 teeth, a vertebra, and a distal end of a humerus. We finished examining the locality and left about 3 pm with the temperature nearing 100*. The high for the day ended up at 101*. |
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| May 12, 2008, Monday Sunday was a beautiful day in the field. Although it had rained on my locality since Gretchen and I were there a couple of weeks ago, the pickings were very slim. It is hard to complain about not finding much material with the year we have had so far. We saw a belted kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) on the way in to the locality (same place we saw the phalaropes last time). Gretchen collected a small but complete Malerisaurus femur and some vertebrae at Site I. I collected a phalanx at Site XLI and a Trilophosaurus jaw fragment at Site III. I collected an interesting element at Site VI that needs further preparation for identification. I made a few photographs for my research and other than a few minor elements and fragments, we didn't find much else so we left early. This weekend Gretchen and I also went to a friend's ranch to do some target practice. A couple of hundred rounds of ammunition later ........... we had killed a box pretty dead. During the week I didn't get much done except work. I have to develop my negatives for the Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day and get the image submitted. I also have to help Künstler finish a piece of jewelry he is working on for me in exchange for my helping him with a couple of ceramic pieces. |
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| May 6, 2008, Tuesday Last week was not a fun week with a variety of medical tests. Then Meaghan, Katherine, Gretchen, and I made parts of the First Friday Art Trail. We had an enjoyable time and there was a very nice exhibit at LHUCA. I was told tonight someone was trying to find my friend Künstler at the FFAT to see about buying one of his pieces of artwork. Künstler didn't make the FFAT this time but said he was going to make the next one. Saturday and Sunday were spent working on research instead of in the field. We do have to catch up on prep work from time to time. Gretchen and I spent most of Sunday preparing a variety of specimens. Gretchen prepared an interesting, tiny ilium I found at her skull site April 27. Monday was another day of medical tests and identifying fossil specimens. We started getting some rain for a change. Tuesday was a bit back to normal. We had more rain and hail. Several of our localities got some pretty good rains and may get more. I spent Tuesday evening working with one of my regular models. A few nice drawings that I may be able to develop into something good. |
 Reflections from May showers on the streets of Lubbock, Texas. |
| April 27, 2008, Sunday It was a cold, windy, gray morning as Gretchen and I left for the field early this morning. A light mist had fallen in Lubbock in this morning. Our research area had received a heavy rain on Wednesday so we were anxious to get to the field and see what may have been uncovered. There was still a lot of standing water in places when we arrived. On the way in (and out) we saw a pair of Wilson's phalaropes (Steganopus tricolor) in one of the small ponds. First, we went to Site XL to check for additional elements of Gretchen's new phytosaur taxon. Gretchen found a very long (5 cm), gracile, fairly straight ungula (no association to the new taxon). After looking around there for a short while, we headed for sites a bit more protected from the 40 mph+ winds. We had a good day to say the least. Gretchen found her long ungula, phytosaur vertebra, two sub-adult phytosaur ischia, a phytosaur radius, a phytosaur ilium, and an archosaur jaw. I found an interesting vertebra and femur (not one of the usual suspects), an articulated manus of a small reptile (the wrist and three fingers are visible in the block, ~ 5 cm), a number of Trilophosaurus vertebrae, and several vertebrae and spine tables of Momchil Atanssov's new taxon.. We also found a number of other interesting vertebrae, chevrons, another very interesting ilium, another interesting jaw section, and numerous other elements. Just before we left I ran across a small lizard whose markings I did not recognize. Although it had similar markings to one of the earless lizards, the "chevrons" on the back are unlike any lizard I know (but then I am NOT a herpetologist). If anyone recognizes it, please let me know (I know the image is low quality, but if you are interested I will email a higher res image.). |
 Gretchen excavating a phytosaur vert.ebra.  Gretchen's phytosaur ischium.  A small lizard |
| April 20, 2008, Sunday Laid low last weekend and didn't do much but work on papers. Gretchen and I did spend part of Saturday working on her phytosaur material in the lab. Thursday I took her to the "Preview Party" for the Lubbock Arts Festival. Saw many artists/friends, some I have visited with recently and some that I haven't seen in a while. Some I hadn't seen since last year's arts festival. Then, Friday, we went to the opening of the new addition of the Natural Science Research Laboratory. |
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| April 6, 2008, Sunday It was a busy couple of weeks. A lot of time was spent sorting and preparing the material we collected in March. Today, Gretchen Gürtler, myself, and two grad students left early for the field. We saw a great deal of wildlife today. All together, some dozen white-tailed deer, wild turkey, scaled quail, a garter snake, rattlesnakes, and a pheasant. The two grad students have been working hard the past few months preparing the material Gretchen and I have been collecting. Our first locality was a microfossil site. It had last been visited by Gretchen and I in November, 2006. There was quite a bit of fossil material exposed. I found several coelacanth quadrates, three very large procoelous vertebrae of one of Atanassov's new taxa, Rauisuchid (Postosuchus) teeth, Vancleavea vertebrae, and a rattlesnake. Gretchen found a nice Colognathus specimen, a coelacanth quadrate, several very nice, small femora, and some Koskinonodon material. I also went and check on the Tecovasuchus locality. We then went to check on an area where a skull in the Museum's collection had came from. We were unable to find the site; however, I did find a poorly preserved mammoth tusk sticking out of a bank. We went to the third locality where we spread out to cover more territory. Gretchen and I did head towards the site where she found the scapula-coracoid (may actually be Poposaurus) and the Adamanasuchus paramedian plates. On the way I found what appears to be another Adamanasuchus paramedian plate and a number of Rauisuchid teeth. We found a number of phytosaur and metoposaur teeth also. After checking the scapula-coracoid site, Gretchen found the ramus of a phytosaur jaw. We then hiked a half mile to the west. I left the grad students to examine some of the most prolific areas while Gretchen and I headed west. Gretchen found part of a dicynodont squamosal. We found more phytosaur and metoposaur material. Then I found a partial phytosaur skull and Gretchen found a phytosaur jaw section. I found what appears to be another Adamansuchus paramedian plate. Gretchen then found a small area that had abundant phytosaur material, including dorsal vertebrae, teeth, scutes, etc. Then we headed home. |
 Gretchen collecting
Triassic vertebrate material  A large phytosaur tooth (preserved
portion = 7cm)
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| March 23, 2008, Sunday Friday we got a moderately early start to the field on our "Spring Break" holiday, leaving for the field about 8 am. Gretchen and I arrived on the ranch and met with Doug Cunningham and the landowner about 9 am. I then showed Gretchen one of the archeology sites where I worked last year. We met again with Doug and headed to the locality where we were to remove a phytosaur skull and jaw. When we arrived, we briefly surveyed the skull and jaw and then scouted the area. We found a variety of moderately scrappy material. While Gretchen pedestalled the skull, I removed the jaw. After jacketing the skull, we surveyed some more. I found a series of four fused sacral Postosuchus vertebrae. Very close by, I found a Postosuchus coracoid. Then Gretchen found a piece of a Postosuchus maxilla and a large Postosuchus tooth nearby. She then found a very large phytosaur sacral vertebra associated with the proximal ends of a pubis and ischium. The next locality where we went was another one where Doug had previously located a phytosaur skull. I took several photos of the skull and then we continued to the Chindesaurus locality. There wasn't much exposed there. I did find a small "theropod-like" tooth before leaving for the next locality. At the next locality, I planned to show Gretchen a skull and ilium I had found previously. The skull wasn't worth recovering. There were some ribs and vertebra near the skull. Gretchen began digging to see if there was anything recoverable there. The vertebrae on the surface were bone dust; however, Gretchen did find some underneath (after we moved a 300+ pound rock). We recovered a block with at least three complete phytosaur vertebrae before leaving for Post. Saturday, we got a leisurely, late start and went to my research area. First, Gretchen went to where she found her Paleorhinus skull. Then she went to the area where she found part of an unidentified braincase (see Jan. 21). She found a squamosal that appears to belong to a new species of Paleorhinus. I went to several of my sites and found a fragment from one of the dicynodont squamosals. We found lots of other fragments and "exploded" metoposaur material, but nothing else of consequence before we returned to Lubbock. Today (Sunday) was spent preparing and tentatively identifying the various specimens we collected the past two days. It was a good day for it since it was cold and sleeting early this morning.We collected some interesting material. |
 Gretchen trenching around the Pseudopalatus skull  Gretchen excavating the new Paleorhinus squamosal
 Gretchen preparing the new Paleorhinus squamosal. |
| March 16, 2008, Sunday We got a late start on the day as we drug ourselves to the field. It was a gray, gloomy day with a cold wind blowing across the plains. We went to a number of localities that hadn't been visited in a year-and-a-half to four years. For the most part, all we found was phytosaur teeth and an abundance for fragmentary and disintegrated material. At the first locality, I found an exploded metoposaur jaw and two exploded fragmentary metoposaur skulls. Then I found some pieces that may belong to a Paleorhinus skull I collected several years ago. Then I discovered a disarticulated metoposaur skull that appears about 50% complete. Gretchen was collecting some fragmentary material and then she found an interesting bone (at right) that she will need to prepare before we hazard an identification. While the Butvar was drying, we went to another locality but didn't find much but phytosaur teeth and coprolites. After going back and collecting Gretchen's specimen, we scouted a wide area prospecting for new sites and trying to locate a "lost" site. Earlier in the week, I finished piecing Gretchen's Adamanasuchus paramedian plates together, prepared a Trilophosaurus interclavicle, another Trilophosaurus dentary, and a variety of other elements. Saturday, Gretchen worked on preparing her Paleorhinus skull while I worked on a variety of my projects. |
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| February 24, 2008, Sunday The past couple of weeks have been busy (like that is anything new!). This weekend was spent mostly transcribing field notes and keeping up with "aetogate". We did get some more of Gretchen's Adamanasuchus paramedian plates pieced together, along with her scapulacoracoid, and Koskinonodon interclavicle. Friday I exhibited some artwork for the MOTTUA Art History Lecture Series. In two weeks, March 7, I will be exhibiting some of my photography during Lubbock's First Friday Art Trail at BERGMAN's (3838 50th). Nancy Melton exhibits her custom design jewelry there. Today Gretchen and I got a late start to a locality we hadn't visited since February 1, 2004. I couldn't believe it had been that long ago. We worked our way over to where we have two phytosaur skulls buried. There is one large skull and jaw upside down and a juvenile phytosaur skull underneath the large skull. The skulls appeared to still be well protected. I began looking for a small skeleton I buried and was looking for on July 31, 1999, when I found a partial skeleton and carapace of a baby aetosaur (paramedian scutes width <2") , possibly belonging to our new aetosaur taxon. Today, finally I found additional material and then even more. Then Gretchen found partial paramedian scutes of two sub-adult aetosaurs. For the rest of the day we found little more. |
 Gretchen Gurtler digging
aetosaur paramedian scutes.
Baby Aetosaur scutes.
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| February 10, 2008, Sunday The week had been rather nice for February. Saturday was beautiful, even if we did spent part of it in the museum and library. This morning was cool and brisk. Gretchen Gürtler and I didn't leave for the field until about 8:15. It was a beautiful day. We had several areas of the locality that we wanted to examine. Gretchen, as always, started finding interesting material. Most of the initial finds were Koskinonodon, phytosaur, and aetosaur. The first "good" find was a Postosuchus vertebra Gretchen discovered (see top right), while I was collecting some "interesting" coprolites. Next Gretchen found what appears to be a Stagonolepis plate. She found Apachesaurus vertebrae. Then Gretchen found a Postosuchus (Poposaurus) scapula and coracoid (second from top). She continued to search the badlands (3rd from top). It was about this time that we noticed a continuing parade of sandhill cranes migrating north. Seems like a few weeks early, but not too far out of line. While the Acryloid was drying, we continued searching. I spotted a siltstone-sandstone outcrop that reminded me of one where I had collected some tracks several years ago at another Tecovas locality. I went over and almost immediately found some VERY interesting tracks, that until I have time to verify, appear to be the same taxon as what I found earlier. I will have to photograph them and send them to Dr. Robert Weems, who identified the tracks from the first locality. Gretchen came over and we ended up with a couple of slabs with tracks on them. Pretty Way Kewl!!! Then Gretchen found a small Koskinonodon interclavicle (see photo, 4th from top) and parts of several aetosaur (Adamanasuchus) paramedian plates. I found almost a dozen Rauisuchid teeth in the area, and quite a few phytosaur teeth. While the consolidant dried we ate a bite of lunch and then went to the plant locality. Unfortunately, the clays were too dry and so I left the localities without collecting any more plants. We then went back to remove the interclavicle and after that, we crossed a ridge where we found a number of specimens. Most of the specimens we collected over the ridge are going to require more preparation before they can be identified. I did find more Rauisuchid teeth and a "Coelophysoid" tooth. Gretchen collected several different , interesting skull fragments. I collected a huge phytosaur proximal ischium. As we headed back to the pickup, the coyotes serenaded us. We headed home, seeing more white-tailed deer. The sun was setting beautifully in the west as we left to return for dinner and to sort through some of the day's discoveries. We did well today. |
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| February 5, 2008, Tuesday Busy week, as usual. Sorted through more interesting fossil material. I have to help Künstler get some ceramic pieces ready for an exhibit in less than a month. I don't have time to help. Sunday, Gretchen spent the afternoon preparing her Paleorhinus skull, while I was working on a myriad of different small projects getting a few things wrapped up. Ran across a couple of very interesting fossils from Antarctica. One needs a little preparation to possibly enable identification. Both are very interesting jaw sections. Unfortunately, today I did free up a block of time, so I should be able to concentrate on several manuscripts. That should help things progress more rapidly for the next few months. That should also give me more time to complete the locality database of the extant invertebrate collection (mostly echinoderms) I have donated to the Natural Science Research Lab. |
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| January 28, 2008, Monday Besides working, I spent much of the week trying to identify the skull fragment Gretchen found last Monday. I don't know what it is; only what it isn't. It is interesting. Axel Hungerbühler and I kept exchanging email trying to identify a specimen he had and Gretchen's skull fragment. I think we pretty well got Axel's figured out but he has to finish preparing it to tell for sure. No luck with Gretchen's skull fragment. Sunday, Gretchen spent much of the day preparing her Paleorhinus skull while I worked on a variety of specimens that we collected recently. Then there were elements of the usual and not so usual suspects; metoposaurs, Trilophosaurus, Doswellia, phytosaurs, Shuvosaurus, dicynodont, and Atanassov's taxa. |
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| January 21, 2008, Monday It was a cold, gray, windy morning as Gretchen Gürtler and I headed for the field. Gretchen is searching the badlands near her skull site. It is hard to believe that it has been three months since we have been in the field together (if you don't count Big Bend). It was a miserable day to begin with, but became nicer as the day wore on and into evening. There had been some erosion at the locality; however for most of the sites there was little material exposed. Gretchen went to her Paleorhinus skull site and searched for more material coming out. She found a couple of small fragments but no post-crania. She did find a large skull fragment from another skull nearby. I headed to other localities. I found a few small vertebrae and the usual stuff. I found one, poor Trilophosaurus jaw fragment (at right). I went back to where I had found a dicynodont squamosal fragment on our last trip and found what may be a dicynodont rib. Gretchen and I then went to Site I and visited all of the Sites where Paleorhinus material has been collected at the locality before returning home. The past few weeks have been busy getting work done. The weather hadn't been conducive for going to the field so I had been working on the collections and on documents. Along with a time consuming class, I have had a couple of new projects added to my agenda. The hill seems to be growing faster than I am climbing! |
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| January 1, 2008, Tuesday As I often say, life is like a Jimmy Buffett song. Here is to "just another candle" and our next "trip around the sun". New Year's day was a beautiful day in West Texas. Spent part of the day in "the dungeon" working. To the right is one of the images I am working on to update my portfolios. I have been remiss at updating them because of working on my paleontology research. I looked at changing my home page and bio, but I haven't changed my feelings expressed on my home page and I think the Bio by Mere couldn't be expressed any better. Wilhelm Künstler came by the past couple of days for my help to work on some art projects. He has a couple of special commissions he is working on with short deadlines; so, I will try to help him a bit. Well, I need to get to work. Tomorrow begins a long month at work. Here is a toast to our next "trip around the sun" together mein liebchen. |
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