New self-collected South Dakota rough, Fairburn

[dakotabirder]

The weather this past weekend was warm. Warm from the standpoint of a South Dakotan. With temps around 55 and no wind for a change, I spent Sunday poking around Buffalo Gap National Grasslands. I tried a new spot, and it really paid off. It just didn't seem as "picked over" as my typical spot near Kadoka, as right away, I started finding scads of bubblegum agates, prairie agates, honey agates (at least that's what I call the clear, amber-colored ones), big chunks of petrified wood, and more.  

Best find of the day...10 minutes in, just a little after sunset, I found the beautiful Fairburn pictured below.  Definitely appreciating the rarity of them now, given that I'd estimate we spend about 12-15 hours for every Fairburn we've found. This one just stood out so clearly in the morning sun, and it's certainly unusual looking with the fortification banding surrounding a beautiful rosy-quart center.  Another great day on the grasslands, can't wait to see how some of these polish up (not the Fairburn though!).  

1) - A really nice Fairburn found right after dawn


2) The rough material I ended up bringing home. As usual, a lot of prairie agates and bubblegum agates, as well as all kinds of other material.  You're limited to 25 pounds of material you can take in one day...otherwise I would have probably kept more of these big chunks of petrified wood I kept finding.

[fishnpinball]

Nice haul, and great score on the fairburn.

[Garage Rocker]

What a fun day picking up rocks. I'd like to come take a walk with you. That's a sweet pile you grabbed. And that Fairburn....

[Jugglerguy]

That looks like a lot of fun. I love that Fairburn. Having spent hours on the beach looking for Lakers, I know how rewarding it is to find a rare rock after hours and hours of looking.

[fishnpinball]

Having done a small amount of hunting up there I can see I have some time to invest yet prior to getting better odds on finding a fairburn. I can second that location means everything, I was finding a couple of pieces here and there and then found an area where I would sit down and pick up all the bubblegums and other material, move a couple of yards and repeat. Lots of areas are hunted but it is heartening that you can still find areas that are great.

[hummingbirdstones]

Excellent score for a day's work.  That Fairburn is outstanding!

[Fossilman]

Score on the Fairburn....Nice haul on the other agate and petwood!