This is the “Fossil Friday” post #167.  Expect this to be a somewhat regular feature of the website.  We will post any fossil pictures you send in to esconi.info@gmail.com.  Please include a short description or story.  Check the #FossilFriday Twitter hash tag for contributions from around the world!

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I don’t know about you guys, but I like to see before and after fossil photos.  Today, we have a nice example of how what you find in the field may look better… much better, when you get it home and clean it up.  If you need another example, check out George Witaszak’s insect in Fossil Friday #165.

This beautiful fossil surprise comes from ESCONI member Jake Fill.  He’s been collecting for a few years and has bagged some very nice Mazon Creek fossils.  This fern is Reticulopteris munsterii, which is an uncommon species of seed fern.  It really cleaned up nice!

Thanks for sharing, Jake!  That’s a nice find… and a very nice specimen!

Before

After cleaning