Everyone's Gotta Eat

(The T-Rex diet by Eduardo San Gil, via Rampaged Reality)

PaleoLab Update

Sara:

We are still diligently working away at our blocks. Last week I became concerned that the density of the rock was preventing my scribe from removing the matrix on the outer edge of bone #4 (the large round surface). So with permission, I soaked a long piece of paper towel and let it rest on the tricky matrix. After 30 minutes it had worked its magic! Much of the matrix was easily removed and the bone was untouched.

As we further our exploration of these blocks we will be sure to update you when we find cool things or use new tactics!

Stay tuned!

Barosaurus tail coming along

Amber

It has been awhile for updates, but I'm am pleased to show you how far along I've come on this beautiful piece.

I came back to this tail on March 9th. Just sitting there, waiting for me. I love looking at it sitting with the others wondering how it will look when it's completed. Knowing that I am helping with this magnificent piece brings so much joy every time I am near it. For me, it's therapeutic. I can put away all my worries and stress and be mindful while working on this tail.

I took pictures of both sides because I was determined to clean up as much as possible. I had a lot more time to work in the lab this day and was happy to see when my time had ended, how much I was able to accomplish.

I was happy to clear off as much as I did on the one side and start on the other. It was very difficult for me to stop as I was eager to see this completed. (I have a ways away, but it's still tough to walk away!)

I finally was able to come back on March 31st to make more progress. I am very pleased with how much I did and not have anything crack. I held my breath a lot during the moments I was close to the cracks. So much that when people came by the window, they thought I was a mannequin and screamed when I moved. ;)

As you can see, there isn't any flaking from the main crack. I'm sure that a sharpened scribe helped a lot, but I am also thinking it was because I was able to use Rick's personal scribe which had the power of our Paleontologist. (I swear it's magic!) 

I'm going back this week so stay tuned for more updates. I'll be better blogging about it now that we are getting to the really interesting parts. 

Have a great night!

Amber