Fossil Forest & Bisti: Petrified Logs

The those of you wandering the Bisti area keep your eyes open for some REALLY big petrified logs. These are Cypress-like conifers which grew in swamps along the Cretaceous coastline ~ 75Mya. Abundantly available silica from numerous volcanic ash falls probably helped preserve these, after they were transported in channels which cut through the swamps.

The Fossil Forest area isn't as photogenic as Bisti, is harder to find, and requires at least high clearance. It's primary attraction is a number of tree stumps still in growth position, as shown in this picture. Also, the area has vertebrate fossils for those with keen eyes.

Gallery with Bisti logs at:
http://pelzmann.smugmug.com/gallery/1370003/1/64636059

I so need to get there some day soon!
This is fascinating. I never saw pertified trees still upright in a "rooted" position like these.

Guy

Nice work Bill. I really the shot with the red brush.

Thanks Bill for posting these. I was looking forward to them, and they did not dissapoint. I am wondering why you did not include any sky in photo #3. I think it would have been better. Thanks again. I hope we can do some joint trips this year.

Thanks, Adam. With the lack of vegetation in the area, this brush was rather striking. What I can't figure out are the white pebbles at the base of essentially every bush. Maybe the roots are pushing these up through the soil? If they are a wind lag deposits, trapped by the brush, you'd think they'd have a more asymetrical distribution related to wind direction.

Momo, the sky in that direction was just a dull white. Just didn't do anything for me while setting up the composition.

Yes, a joint group trip would be fun. Unfortunately my travel schedule has been rather last minute and that makes it tough to coordinate with others. But, I'll keep trying.