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Let's Rock => Rockhounding Tips, Maps, Trips Etc. => Topic started by: VegasJames on March 11, 2019, 12:13:00 PM

Title: Burro Creek trip
Post by: VegasJames on March 11, 2019, 12:13:00 PM
Had a great first trip to Burro Creek.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7839/47351932271_0ab3961258_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2f9k2Kn)DSC01572 (https://flic.kr/p/2f9k2Kn) by James Sloane (https://www.flickr.com/photos/143011703@N05/), on Flickr

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7881/46436876655_89ccd015af_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2dKt8Ap)20190310_160429 (https://flic.kr/p/2dKt8Ap) by James Sloane (https://www.flickr.com/photos/143011703@N05/), on Flickr

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7875/46436874465_0d60045246_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2dKt7WD)20190310_160438 (https://flic.kr/p/2dKt7WD) by James Sloane (https://www.flickr.com/photos/143011703@N05/), on Flickr

Will add more later.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7918/40386560113_71de6fa88f_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/24wPFgX)20190310_160446 (https://flic.kr/p/24wPFgX) by James Sloane (https://www.flickr.com/photos/143011703@N05/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Burro Creek trip
Post by: Kaljaia on March 11, 2019, 01:03:05 PM
Looks lovely! Jealous of all you people who can see the ground. Still eight to ten inches of packed snow in eastern Oregon.
Hope you got some great material!
Title: Re: Burro Creek trip
Post by: AgateLicker on March 11, 2019, 02:15:06 PM
That IS quite the haul of purp! Heartening to see and encouraging to know there's reserves about.

Didn't know there was Schorl down there. I have found numerous golfball to softball sized cobbles around my neck of the woods,  but nothing that hasn't been rolling around for umpteen-thousand years. All of it in milky quartz. What's the quality like out there?
Title: Re: Burro Creek trip
Post by: VegasJames on March 11, 2019, 04:45:59 PM
That IS quite the haul of purp! Heartening to see and encouraging to know there's reserves about.

Didn't know there was Schorl down there. I have found numerous golfball to softball sized cobbles around my neck of the woods,  but nothing that hasn't been rolling around for umpteen-thousand years. All of it in milky quartz. What's the quality like out there?

Only found two pieces. One of small crystals and the one in the large quartz ball down on the river. That one has more of a band in the quartz. I will try to get some pics soon and get them posted.
Title: Re: Burro Creek trip
Post by: VegasJames on March 11, 2019, 07:21:35 PM
Here is the schorl in quartz. The smaller piece is underneath and you can see the crystal structure better in that piece.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7839/32413130647_9fbe78225b_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/RoeLu8)20190311_184938 (https://flic.kr/p/RoeLu8) by James Sloane (https://www.flickr.com/photos/143011703@N05/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Burro Creek trip
Post by: AgateLicker on March 11, 2019, 10:08:18 PM
Looks to be in about the same state as what I find knocking around here. Lots of variable states of association and structure. I have some smaller ones with great pronunciation but 75% or so I find have the blocky look. How big is the large Marge?

If I can get the link to work, this is one of my most recent picks.

(https://i.postimg.cc/vcc63xWt/20190201-173813.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vcc63xWt)
(https://i.postimg.cc/BPttYR1n/20190201-173805.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/BPttYR1n)
Title: Re: Burro Creek trip
Post by: VegasJames on March 11, 2019, 10:46:40 PM
Looks to be in about the same state as what I find knocking around here. Lots of variable states of association and structure. I have some smaller ones with great pronunciation but 75% or so I find have the blocky look. How big is the large Marge?

If I can get the link to work, this is one of my most recent picks.

(https://i.postimg.cc/vcc63xWt/20190201-173813.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vcc63xWt)
(https://i.postimg.cc/BPttYR1n/20190201-173805.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/BPttYR1n)

The large one is 4 inches across and 3.5 inches thick.
Title: Re: Burro Creek trip
Post by: AgateLicker on March 12, 2019, 09:44:48 PM
A sizable chunk! The fat band is so dramatic.
Title: Re: Burro Creek trip
Post by: VegasJames on March 12, 2019, 10:23:40 PM
Got some more photographed.

Couple large chunks of Lizard stone.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7898/46639909464_5fed97fc22_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2e4pJb5)20190312_142130 (https://flic.kr/p/2e4pJb5) by James Sloane (https://www.flickr.com/photos/143011703@N05/), on Flickr


Some miscellaneous:
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7836/46639911704_e9c65e62a6_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2e4pJQG)20190312_142058 (https://flic.kr/p/2e4pJQG) by James Sloane (https://www.flickr.com/photos/143011703@N05/), on Flickr

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7829/47310321772_8fe6061835_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2f5DLoY)20190312_142425 (https://flic.kr/p/2f5DLoY) by James Sloane (https://www.flickr.com/photos/143011703@N05/), on Flickr


Fossil burro teeth :laughing6:
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7895/32421122567_b16abc222a_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/RoWJcR)20190312_142205 (https://flic.kr/p/RoWJcR) by James Sloane (https://www.flickr.com/photos/143011703@N05/), on Flickr


One of the larger purple agates. Herd to see the color under the crust but the color can be seen in some open spots.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7838/46639913874_8691054839_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2e4pKu7)20190312_142830 (https://flic.kr/p/2e4pKu7) by James Sloane (https://www.flickr.com/photos/143011703@N05/), on Flickr


Found several of these. Love the pattern in these.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7898/32421126357_729c15b442_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/RoWKkc)20190312_142712 (https://flic.kr/p/RoWKkc) by James Sloane (https://www.flickr.com/photos/143011703@N05/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Burro Creek trip
Post by: AgateLicker on March 13, 2019, 09:09:13 AM
Wow! All haul-it-back worthy. The breccia in the last one is delicious. You planning on conducting surgery?
Title: Re: Burro Creek trip
Post by: VegasJames on March 13, 2019, 03:34:04 PM
Wow! All haul-it-back worthy. The breccia in the last one is delicious. You planning on conducting surgery?

Hopefully I will get a chance to start cutting some stuff tomorrow.
Title: Re: Burro Creek trip
Post by: AgateLicker on March 13, 2019, 07:27:08 PM
Neat! Have fun.
Title: Re: Burro Creek trip
Post by: vitzitziltecpatl on March 13, 2019, 07:43:39 PM
With a little luck you might get some nice Pastelite colors in the brecciated chunk. Hope you do. We'll look forward to seeing what's in there either way!
Title: Re: Burro Creek trip
Post by: irockhound on March 13, 2019, 07:52:27 PM
Great finds! Some beautiful colors and patterns there.  Pity the mine grew and made a settling old of where i dug the purple. I would have loved to go back.
Title: Re: Burro Creek trip
Post by: VegasJames on March 13, 2019, 08:48:39 PM
Took some more photos today including the blues.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7809/40408682593_aef9daa7da_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/24yM4w2)20190313_134926 (https://flic.kr/p/24yM4w2) by James Sloane (https://www.flickr.com/photos/143011703@N05/), on Flickr

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7920/33497906718_1c3243679a_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/T36wBQ)20190313_142826 (https://flic.kr/p/T36wBQ) by James Sloane (https://www.flickr.com/photos/143011703@N05/), on Flickr

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7872/40408681493_f7a47bdfdf_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/24yM4c4)20190313_143042 (https://flic.kr/p/24yM4c4) by James Sloane (https://www.flickr.com/photos/143011703@N05/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Burro Creek trip
Post by: VegasJames on March 13, 2019, 09:14:51 PM
Great finds! Some beautiful colors and patterns there.  Pity the mine grew and made a settling old of where i dug the purple. I would have loved to go back.

There is still a lot of purple out there. I found some large chunks of purple in one spot out there.
Title: Re: Burro Creek trip
Post by: hummingbirdstones on March 14, 2019, 06:53:39 AM
Nice!  The one in the bottom right is REALLY blue.  Great find and thanks for showing them!   :occasion14:
Title: Re: Burro Creek trip
Post by: ileney on March 14, 2019, 08:37:39 AM
Wow! Great finds! Pardon a stupid question: is the first photo a wolf or kayote mix or just your dog looking particularly fierce?
Title: Re: Burro Creek trip
Post by: VegasJames on March 14, 2019, 10:58:02 AM
Nice!  The one in the bottom right is REALLY blue.  Great find and thanks for showing them!   :occasion14:

Yes that big blue was my most exciting find as I love blue chalcedony. Found some darker blues as well but the sky blue was my favorite.
Title: Re: Burro Creek trip
Post by: VegasJames on March 14, 2019, 11:16:16 AM
Wow! Great finds! Pardon a stupid question: is the first photo a wolf or kayote mix or just your dog looking particularly fierce?

Jax is a blue heeler, although about half the size of a normal heeler.

Heelers are Australian cattle dogs that nip at the heels of cattle to herd them thus the name heeler. They are very smart, loyal and protective dogs. One guy was out hiking with his heeler and got injured and died. They found him three weeks later with his heeler still by his side. The dog died right after the funeral service for his dad.

Jax is actually extremely friendly though and she loves people. She would only bite if she thinks she is protecting me. She will chase people if moving fast though like running or on a bicycle, but that is just a game to her, she does not bite anyone. It is that herding mentality and she is trying to get them to go where she wants them to go.

Heelers were bred from the Australian dingo. A man domesticated the dingoes in the 1800s then bred in the Australian kelpie (another cattle dog) along with highland collie and dalmatian.

How can a face this sweet be mean? :LOLOL:

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7893/46464482505_9f8578e5c8_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2dMUBRk)20160415_162333 (https://flic.kr/p/2dMUBRk) by James Sloane (https://www.flickr.com/photos/143011703@N05/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Burro Creek trip
Post by: hummingbirdstones on March 14, 2019, 09:07:51 PM
A true rock hound!  What a great picture of Jax.  That needs to be on a calendar or something!  At least make it the walllpaper on your computer.   :icon_sunny:
Title: Re: Burro Creek trip
Post by: VegasJames on March 15, 2019, 12:39:31 AM
A true rock hound!  What a great picture of Jax.  That needs to be on a calendar or something!  At least make it the walllpaper on your computer.   :icon_sunny:

That pic is the wallpaper for my phone.
Title: Re: Burro Creek trip
Post by: hummingbirdstones on March 15, 2019, 06:25:47 AM
Excellent!  You get to take her everywhere with you.   :occasion14:
Title: Re: Burro Creek trip
Post by: Michael on March 15, 2019, 12:29:01 PM
Wow! All haul-it-back worthy. The breccia in the last one is delicious. You planning on conducting surgery?


Hi James:

I noticed you collected some Lizard Stone.  If you like that, there is an abundance about 5 miles south of Wikieup on the right side.  It is about a mile in and you will see a dirt road leading in.  I have some in a box that I collected last October.  Have you cut and polished this stone before? Is it worth the time and effort?  Thanks!
Title: Re: Burro Creek trip
Post by: VegasJames on March 16, 2019, 01:43:12 AM
Wow! All haul-it-back worthy. The breccia in the last one is delicious. You planning on conducting surgery?


Hi James:

I noticed you collected some Lizard Stone.  If you like that, there is an abundance about 5 miles south of Wikieup on the right side.  It is about a mile in and you will see a dirt road leading in.  I have some in a box that I collected last October.  Have you cut and polished this stone before? Is it worth the time and effort?  Thanks!

I have not worked with it at all. I have some other stone from Arizona I got in a trade years ago also listed as lizard stone but it is much lighter green.

I have heard a lot of debate about the material in the past some claiming it is hard and takes a great polish while others say it is soft and needs to be stabilized. I think the issue may be in the harder stone had a cap of more like a soft green "sandstone" for lack of a better term.

As for this stuff I was down there with our local gem club and one of the club members said that the dark green material does polish beautifully. I have not even had any time to get anything cut yet from the trip.

What I do know is that it was not easy to dig out.
Title: Re: Burro Creek trip
Post by: ileney on March 22, 2019, 07:46:35 PM
Wow! Thank you for all that information. Very interesting. I had never heard of the heeler breed before but I know some people here in Maine with a farm and they too have herding dogs. They look nothing like the Australian ones though. I guess there were probably several breeds bred for herding in different locales. Theirs are extra large fluffy dogs with white hair, but very protective and wary of strange animals (they keep out wild animals from attacking the goats and ducks and such.)
Title: Re: Burro Creek trip
Post by: VegasJames on March 23, 2019, 12:55:00 AM
Wow! Thank you for all that information. Very interesting. I had never heard of the heeler breed before but I know some people here in Maine with a farm and they too have herding dogs. They look nothing like the Australian ones though. I guess there were probably several breeds bred for herding in different locales. Theirs are extra large fluffy dogs with white hair, but very protective and wary of strange animals (they keep out wild animals from attacking the goats and ducks and such.)

I had not ever heard of a heeler either until I found Jax. The white fluffy dogs sounds like an Australian sheep dog. My business partner had one she rescued who was deaf.

The heelers were bred from mainly Australian dogs starting with the dingo the guy domesticated. Then the Australian kelpie and highland collie, which I think is from Australia. Don't know where the dalmatian originated from, but they are the 4th part of the heeler.
Title: Re: Burro Creek trip
Post by: ileney on May 26, 2019, 02:58:42 AM
Wow! That looks like quite the haul.
Title: Re: Burro Creek trip
Post by: Michael on May 26, 2019, 10:02:11 AM
Great pictures and specimens James.