Canada Day 5 - Drumheller and Dinosaurs

Our morning started with a wonderful B&B breakfast made by our host Shawn. A potato based tortilla with sausage and pesto. Quite delicious. We were then off on our dino adventure.

The land around Drumheller was once on the edge a large inland sea. Numerous dinosaurs lived and died here and thus the ground is fertile with dinosaur bones. 

Our day started at the Royal Tyrrell Museum which is just outside of town. Joseph Tyrrell was an early geologist/miner who discovered a skeleton in the area in 1884 and reported it back to academics back east. Thus started the Alberta dinosaur fossil boom.

The head is too heavy to mount and scientists still need to study it so it sitting below and a cast is mounted. 

 Scientist cleaning a fossil and very patiently
answering everyone’s questions. 

The museum is world class. Exhibits cover many of the types of dinosaurs found in Alberta. We were also able to go on a guided walk through the river valley where our guide showed us the various geographical features of the valley. He also showed us exposed bones that are plentiful in the area. Hadrosauras bones are so common that paleontologist don't actually care about finding them these days (unless there is a skull or complete skeleton).

Petrified wood

Hoodoos (a formation-more to follow tomorrow)

Part of a dinosaur leg

Edmontosaurus - a really common Hadrosauras in Alberta. 
Orange spot to the left of the guide is part of a leg. 

After we finished up at the museum, we went back into town and had lunch at a local sandwich place. Then we headed for a spot called Orkney Viewpoint which gave us a wonderful view of the valley from up high. 

Ferry used to cross the river. 

Close by (across the river) was another viewing area called Horsethief Canyon, named because so many horses "disappeared" there and showed up with brands from “new owners”. The views show why the area is called Badlands. Dry and difficult terrain for any living thing.

We then headed back to the museum to walk the interpretive path that we skipped in the morning. The mile long trail wound through the hills, with various information signs about the geology, plants, and animals that once lived there.

Randy hoping to find a fossil. 

We ended the day at the local fossil shop where we bought some genuine Alberta fossils. Purchases included: part of a jaw of a hadrosaur, some petrified wood, and a tooth from a maurosaur. Good additions to our eclectic home collections.

Tomorrow is a bit more touring of local sites before we head back to Calagary and prepare to fly home.