billy's lens: Prehistoric Coral Reef

Many years ago when I was fossil hunting in Fort Worth, I saw a couple of nice sections of ancient coral which were too large for me to attempt to collect. This was east of the McCart Avenue and Altamesa Blvd. intersection in south Fort Worth (on north side of Altamesa as you are driving east from that intersection - less than 1/4 mile from that intersection). I would check this location for fossils a couple of times a year and would always find something of interest (mainly good ammonites, heart urchins, coral fragments and snail shells). Sediment covered the coral sections for many years, but I would still find fragments.

Recently, the creek area was mowed, which allowed me to once again search for fossils. On October 25, 2017, I decided to search the area since it was a beautiful day and I was tired of doing paperwork and running errands. To my surprise, a majority of the sediment had been washed downstream, once again exposing the beautiful sections of ancient coral. In addition to seeing these, I found about a dozen fossils that interested me; some I took home. After thinking about my afternoon adventure that evening, I decided to return the next day and explore the whole area. My plan was to photograph any sections of coral I discovered, document their approximate size, and draw a map as to each section's location.

The map I drew is posted below, showing the locations of each section of coral with their approximate size. I walked the creek from south (at the creek intersection with AltaMesa blvd) to the northeast. Photos of the general area as I was walking as well as photos of each section of coral (and anything else of interest) are posted as well in the hope that you will get a "feel" for the ancient coral bed which has existed here for millions of years.

A look to the south where the creek
intersects with AltaMesa Blvd.

The starting point for my adventure.

My 1st general view looking from south to north.

Coral fragment.

Shell.

Coral fragment.

Coral Section # 1
(The boulder on the left)

Coral Section # 1.

Coral Section # 1.

Coral Section # 1

Coral Section # 1.

My 2nd general view looking south to northeast.

Coral Section # 2

Coral Section # 2

Coral Section # 2

Coral Section # 3

Coral Section # 4 (totally on land)

Coral Section # 4

My 3rd general view looking south to northeast.

General view of Cretaceous rock.

General view showing Coral Sections
# 5 and # 6.

Coral Sections
# 5 and # 6.

Coral Sections # 5 & # 6.

Coral Section # 5.

My 4th general view looking south to northeast.
(Coral Sections 5 & 6 are in foreground of image).

Coral Section # 5

Coral Section # 6

Coral Section # 5

Coral Section # 6

Coral Section # 6

Large branch of coral (top right)

Coral fragment

Large branch of coral (close-up).

Coral Section # 7
This piece is at my home.

Coral Section # 7.

Coral fragment

Snails embedded in coral section.

Coral Section # 5

My 5th general view looking south to northeast.

Coral fragments

Coral Sections # 8, # 9,
and # 10.

Coral Section # 8

Coral Section # 8

Two Ammonites and snail
embedded in coral.

Ammonites and shells embedded
in coral.

Ammonites, snails, and shells
embedded in coral.

Fossils in the coral reef.

Coral fragment

Coral section # 9

Coral section # 9

Coral Section # 9 and Coral Section # 10
(in water).

My 6th general view looking south to east.
(Showing Fossil Section # 11 in water in foreground).

Coral Section # 11

Coral Section # 11

My 7th general view
(looking from northeast to east)

7th general view

My 8th general view looking northeast.

The divided area on the left side of the walkway as seen
from the "8th general view" picture above. It was amazing
to find 3 coral sections in one of these areas.