My friend Jordan and I went to the Joggins fossil cliffs recently and found so many fossils it blew our minds. I mean, seriously, I thought we might find one and I figured that would only be if we were really lucky AND looked really hard. In fact we found many, maybe even dozens of fossils! Unfortunately (but understandably) you can’t take the fossils from the Joggins site, so I documented them instead. On the plus side I do have most of the images to share with you, check out the gallery below. I’d love to hear your comments or ideas about what they are. The majority of the fossils are trees, roots and other types of flora, but there are a few oddballs which we couldn’t identify.
The Joggins fossil cliffs are a UNESCO world heritage site. It’s located near Amherst on the Cumberland basin on the Bay of Funday (directions). If you are passing any where near there I recommend checking out the fossil centre which has lots of interesting specimens, interactive displays and dioramas (!). Check the tides for the best times to search the beach with a friend. The cliffs themselves are beautiful, the layers of crust and time are striking. I’ve experienced a lovely sunset there too!
Joggins is famous for it’s “coal age” fossils. The cliffs are constantly eroded by the strong funday tides, the stones fall to the ocean floor and new things are discovered. They have amazing finds there on a regular basis, like whole petrified tree trunks jutting out of the cliffs. Often inside those they find other creatures. We decided to try our luck just after hurricane bill passed through.
After the trip to joggins I was inspired to make the pre-historic magnets which I sold at the craft sale last weekend. They were a hit! I had to make some special ones for my fossil hunting friend which I just sent off in the mail to him. I love his family, so the thought of these little magnetic creatures living out their days on the ferguson family fridge makes me really happy. I hope they get a lot of use (and play) out of them.
