On Location Pictures From The Shark Pit!

[rtde3]

I was asked by digger dude 101 to take some pictures with a water proof camera of the soil conditions at the "Shark Pit", so maybe he could figure out why the coins I find are in the condition they are.  As you know, some of the coins I find are encrusted and these are the ones we call cookie coins.  Other coins are in fair condition or have badly deteriorated.  I apologize for the quality of the pictures, but that is the best I could do with the disposable camera I was using. These picutres are not the most exciting to look at, in comparison to the usual pictures of my finds from this spot, but I did include a few pictures of finds as I first saw them in my sifter.  These are some of the finds from my "Kiss my Brass" post. I also included some pictures of a surprise guest that popped up on me while I was out there in the "Shark Pit"!
First, the soil photos.  The first pic is of the hard green clay that preserves coins pretty well, but is very hard to dig in.  The second pic is of the very fine sand that makes up the sand bars that are out there, this sand moves around with the tides and I usually don't find anything here.  The third pic is of thick mud, it is easy to dig, but a pain in the butt to push through your sifter, cookie coins are found here.  The next pic is of muck mud, it has the consistency of pudding, nothing is found here.  The next pic is a heavier sand and shell mixture.  Most everything I find is in this type of soil, cookie and deteriorated coins are found here. Because there are so many pictures, scroll down to the next 2- posts for the pictures of the finds in the sifter and the special guest photos!

[rtde3]

Here are some of the finds from that day at the shark pit as I first saw them in my sifter! These items are in my "Kiss My Brass" post.
One is of the big valve I found ,the next one is a cookie coin & the last is of the pencil,nickel & plate glass.

[rtde3]

Now For The Special Guest! I bet you thought since I was at The Shark pit It would be a Great White Shark didn't you? Well it was something just as scary! A small Horse Shoe Crab! LOL! He just came up in my scoop like all the shark teeth I find. Thanks for looking & reading this painfully long post!!

[muddyknees]

 I didnt get the guest pic try again.
  muddyknees

[muddyknees]

  Sorry about that . I was just too excited about the quest I didnt notice you were on line. man that site of yours has really got my att. Its like my wifes soaps . cant wait till you post thanks and excuse my impataince.
  muddyknees

[SugarSand]

That's awesome!  I thought you had it easy, but it looks like you are actually working to get all those cool finds...  Keep 'em coming!

[mchamby]

That is a nice setup you have, are you in an area you can walk in or are you over your head? Your right with your horseshoe crab I was expecting a small sand shark or something. I quess if a crab bit you or pinched you I should say that it would probably sting for a minute or two. Great pics. HH
Mchamby ;)

[Mona Lisa]

Thanks for the pictures, r2d2.  Are you using your detector when you're out there or are you just scooping and sifting?

[rtde3]

That is a nice setup you have, are you in an area you can walk in or are you over your head? Your right with your horseshoe crab I was expecting a small sand shark or something. I quess if a crab bit you or pinched you I should say that it would probably sting for a minute or two. Great pics. HH
Mchamby ;)

Mchamby, I can pretty much just wade in. The spots I work are about chest deep at high tide. (See my Pic.)
I figured I would add the tease about the special guest to add a little suspense to a otherwise boring thread. (Nothing exciting about looking at sand & mud)

Thanks for the pictures, r2d2.? Are you using your detector when you're out there or are you just scooping and sifting?

haupin, Yes I am definately using my CZ-20 out there. You don't see it in these pics. but it's there floating right next to me. Sometimes I do just take a few scoops when I see a lot of other stuff is coming up with the metal target I am digging.

Thanks everyone for your post!

[JakePhelps]

Cool pics!  I see those horseshoe crabs alot in capecod, they are cool to watch them swim on the bottom.  I see alot of stuff in that sifter, how much stuff typically comes up in one scoop? i see multiple metal items and alot of glass, looks like a great spot

[rtde3]

I see alot of stuff in that sifter, how much stuff typically comes up in one scoop?

Jake, sometimes you get lucky & two or three things will pop up with your target. But most of the times it just your target in the scoop.

[bigrig40]

thanks for the cool pics rob!

peace,bigrig

[DiggerDude101]

Rob

Are there near by rivers or streams feeding into this area? If so what is upstream that discharges into the stream. (Are you glowing yet?)
Any sewage treatment plants near by? Looks and sounds like the black clay is more acidic than the green clay (other minerals in the green clay helping to preserve the coins.) I assume the black sand is adjacent to the black clay?  Its hard to tell without looking at conditions of the surrounding area. Have you taken any soil samples? Maybe the local college chemistry class could analize them for you! Or the chemist at the local sewage treatment facility.

Nice floating seeve!
I think I'll make me one!

[lonewolfe]

Cool set up Rob!

HH

Lonewolfe

[MUD(S.W.A.T)]

That is a real cool setup! Your really into this, I have a problem with real cold water. I am a Scuba Diver but I was trained in real cold lake water like in the 30's and ever since I can't stand the shock of cold water.

Keep @ it and HH!!

[DiggerDude101]

Hey Rob

An idea
Put a peace of one of those kids swim noodles around the top section off you scoop to make it float!

[rtde3]

Maybe the local college chemistry class could analize them for you! Nice floating seeve!
I think I'll make me one!

Thanks, I think I will do that when I get a chance.

That is a real cool setup! Your really into this, I have a problem with real cold water. I am a Scuba Diver but I was trained in real cold lake water like in the 30's and ever since I can't stand the shock of cold water.

Keep @ it and HH!!

Thanks Mud, Yes, you could say I'm in to this!

Hey Rob

An idea
Put a peace of one of those kids swim noodles around the top section off you scoop to make it float!

Good Idea, Some of my water hunting buddies do that. I kinda like my set up though. I have a teather line between my floating sifter & my belt thats about arms length. I also have a line connected to my 4' long scoop just below the hand grip. I connect the other end of that line to the teather line of my sifter with a D ring so it can slide up & down that teather line. So when I let my scoop go after dumping all that gold I just pulled up, it won't float away & the line connected under the hand grip keeps it standing up under water right next to me. When it's time for the next scoop, I just reach down & it's there waiting.
Thanks all!

[DiggerDude101]

Rob

Nice setup! Is the seeve teatherd to your waist. If Not. You could use a weight belt with D rings and snap clips to attach it and your other tools.
Like a linemans belt or a carpenters tool belt. Just some more ideas I'm thinking about doing.

[rtde3]

Yes, it is. I have a hip pouch that has a belt & It hooks to that. Rob