Daves View
Ammonoidea
Posted by DaveB (Exeter, United Kingdom) on 6 November 2007 in Animal & Insect.
This is an Ammonite, a now extinct sea-dwelling creature, that originated in the Devonian and became extinct close to the Cretacaous - Tertiary Boundary, at nearly the same time as the dinosaurs! This means they lasted more than 350 million years on the planet, while we seem to be close to wiping ourselves out after just a couple!
As always, comments are welcome, particularly those offering feedback and criticism on my images! (It's the only way I'll learn!) :)
@Organik: Thanks Organik, it comes of being a rock nerd!
MaryB from Staffordshire, United Kingdom
Wow! it's hard to believe that it's that old, I agree with Organik, an amazing specimen!
PS. for some reason I can't post a picture today!, (but I can comment!) there is an error on the page and it won't let me!! :( but as soon as we get it sorted I'll be back :)
6 Nov 2007 8:36am
@MaryB: Thanks MaryB
Walt from Scarborough, Canada
Awesome photo! Yeah, we do seem to be a precarious bunch, always living on the edge, don't we?
6 Nov 2007 1:43pm
@Walt: Thanks for your comment Walt!
Brian from West Lafayette, United States
Lovely processing on this one. What an amazing history that species has.
6 Nov 2007 6:10pm
@Brian: Cheers Brian
Rebecca from Leicester, United Kingdom
Wow, I really like this perspective and composition, and your narrative!! Would you believe it just so happens my dad bought a few ammonite fossils from Hay-on-Wye – he loves these too, and certainly knows a lot more about them than I do! You certainly do!! :) Sadly, I didn’t have the presence of mind to take any shots of the fossils before my dad brought them home to Singapore with him :( But it does make it all the more thrilling to be able to see this FANTASTIC piece here at your site. (I very much doubt I could have taken a better picture of one, seriously.) Truly tremendous piece.
6 Nov 2007 10:45pm
@Rebecca: Cheers Rebecca, fossils have always interested me, ever since I used to get bought dinosaur toys whenever I went into town with my mam! That led to an eventual degree in geology and a collection of rocks, coral fossils and brachiopods sitting on my windowsill back home!
Canon EOS 400D
1/40 second
F/4.0
ISO 1600
24 mm