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Hi Gerry… congratulations on such beauties!!! Impossible to pick out a favorite as each exemplifies my idea of what treasure can or should be. Fantastic finds, WTG!!! Most of my ring finds this past season were gold wedding bands and oddball silver rings as is the usual trend here. With that in mind, my favorite is a 13.6-gram 18K gold wedding band depicted below. It’s a good solid piece, most wedding bands are either 10K or 14K so I was quite pleased with its weightiness. The second find is a 7.6-gram sterling silver skull and crossbones ring. The probability of finding one always seemed forlorn but I had hoped one would surface someday. It was just out from the swing set at a local park, at maybe three inches depth, and therefore likely lost within the previous five years. I just stared at it in surprised disbelief!!! Ontario offers countless popular freshwater beaches for detectorists to search. In areas north of Toronto, these have attracted ever-increasing numbers of our Asian heritage community. A result is a corresponding increase in 22K gold ring finds, a typical example is the 5.9-gram 22K ring below. To date our 22K rings have generally been a smaller finger-size than we’ve seen with 10K to 18K rings over the years. Thanks for a really nifty thread Gerry, you have a talent for bringing forward the fun side of treasure hunting………………….Jim.

JW and Lanny… back in the late autumn of 2011, after two plus months in the northern bush hunting native silver, I had posted to TreasureNet about something or other, can't remember just what it was now. Both you guys dropped around to ask me how the prospecting season had gone. Without too much elaboration, I described the season as the best I’d ever experienced. You may recollect that I later wrote it up as an article entitled Electronic Prospecting in Silver Country which subsequently earned a Banner Award. You guys were as enthusiastic in your responses as if you’d been right there working beside me. You made a lasting impression on me of what constitutes real friendship. At that time, I commented that “you guys are the very best”. Those enduring feelings of admiration and friendship for both of you have not diminished one whit to this day………………..............Jim. PS: Just lately, rocks and minerals have attracted more of our interest. The wife and I are packing tonight to head north for several days to the southern boundary of Algonquin Provincial Park to search primarily for large titanite, green and red apatite, and hopefully gem quality tremolite crystals. It’s late in the season, but we are determined to go regardless of winter conditions.

Hi Lanny… thanks for sharing your gold nugget finds from this season to date. I imagine you are still searching productive bedrock sites, similar to that depicted below, until Old Man Winter finally closes it out for this year. Reading your excellent prospecting articles at http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/metal-detecting-gold/69-bedrock-gold-mysteries.html over many years, we understand your boundless enthusiasm for prospecting the elusive yellow metal and appreciate that you love doing it in those remote wilderness settings. I quoted your scenery photos because they made quite an impression. These could easily have been taken from the various areas that we frequent, whether in the rich silver-bearing areas to the far north or the beautiful Muskokas of central Ontario. In particular, the photo with the bridge over the lovely rock-strewn watercourse reminds me of a nearly identical place on the Big East River at Arrowhead, Ontario, where we’ve endlessly hiked and collected rocks and minerals down through the years……………….Jim.

Hi Simon… I realize that your T2 is somewhat different from the F75. But let me describe how I operate the original F75 to deal with issues related to EMI. The original F75 version is very much subject to erratic behavior in areas where EMI is present. Hunting urban areas in zero discrimination with the stock 11” DD coil is frequently impossible. I avoid using this coil in urban environs because it is quite vulnerable to EMI issues (extra windings / antennae effect) compared to the 10” elliptical concentric coil, and this is especially true when compared to any of the smaller coils. So don’t hesitate to switch to a smaller coil, preferably a concentric coil if the ground conditions permit. An added benefit if hunting micro jewelry, is that the smaller coils, particularly the 6” elliptical concentric coil, is quite sensitive to small stuff compared to the stock 11” DD coil. In fact I put it to good use for hunting naturally occurring native silver in rocky environs. It’s not unusual to find sub-grain material with this coil. If using a discriminate mode, avoid JE mode in EMI areas. It is extremely high gain, and therefore much more sensitive to EMI than are the DE or PF search modes. Another very useful technique, if necessary, is to increase the iron discrimination level until erratic behavior settles down to an acceptable level. Do this while moving / holding the coil on the ground, and not while waving it around in the air. Keeping the coil to the ground much reduces EMI instability because it reduces the coil’s antennae effect. Adjusting the sensitivity control is not necessarily the final step in stabilizing how the machine behaves in EMI environments. Do as you please with it. Keep in mind that you may wish to limit iron discrimination to about 6 or 7 and no more as Steve describes, depending on your preference. At that point, if necessary, you may wish to experiment with decreasing the sensitivity control to achieve stability. Of course for prospecting applications, and low trash urban areas, the first choice is to search in the motion all-metal mode. It is much less vulnerable to EMI than are any of the discriminate modes. It makes a huge difference. In closing, I should add that in remote prospecting areas, my original F75 is normally as quiet as a churchmouse regardless which search mode, settings employed, or the type / size of coil that is used. On rare occasion we do experience an intermittent EMI induced instability from what I suspect is the local microwave tower. These occasions are always temporary, rarely lasting more than a half-hour…………….. Jim.

Hi William… here in northeastern Ontario, we do most of our prospecting for native silver in the motion all-metal mode. There are occasional exceptions where excessive trash is encountered as described further below. Let’s take a look at how we operate this unit up here. The motion all-metal mode, that conveniently features a target ID, is deeperseeking and more sensitive to ground conditions and to small nuggets than are the discrimination modes. This mode is particularly effective for searching over rough, variable terrain where ‘low and slow’ scanning is necessarily dictated by such conditions, for example, poking the coil between and around boulders. We also prefer its comparatively unimpeded target-sizing ability to better assess what is happening beneath the searchcoil. When searching in the motion all-metal mode, use as much sensitivity as the ground conditions will permit while maintaining stable detector operation with a reasonably smooth threshold hum. Adjust the threshold as low as possible but still able to hear a faint mosquito-like hum. Many senior hobbyists have experienced hearing loss, therefore it is even more important to adjust the audio pitch to a level where you can most easily hear faint target signals. Set it appropriately and leave it alone. I use NuggetBuster headphones to help me hear weak target signals. The original F75 provides two features to ground balance the detector. The manual GB effectively does it all, including slight GB adjustments to offset neutral GB settings to perhaps enhance depth / sens to small nuggets or possibly to subdue various ground / hotrock effects. The ground balance procedures are described in the manual so we won’t go over it here. (a) The important thing to remember at all times, particularly when searching over tough ferromagnetic ground, is to ground balance to the same elevation above the ground that you will be scanning the coil. Otherwise over tough ground you will undoubtedly experience false signals. (b) If the ground mineralization prevents you from obtaining a ground balance, you must either switch to a smaller coil (DD coils are more effective at reducing the effect of tough ground) and / or reduce sensitivity. For nugget hunting you will likely be using a small sniper coil anyway, so reducing the sensitivity is the only remaining alternative to achieve a good ground balance. The alternative ground balance procedure is to use the autograb feature by pressing and holding the “trigger” forwards while bobbing the coil a few inches as described in the manual. It’s convenient, fast, and accurate. The autograb GB feature can also be used to supply additional information about a suspect target, but the technique described below benefits from using a concentric coil rather than a DD coil. Prior to disturbing the soil, pinpoint the target and do an autograb GB over it. Pump the coil four or five times but no more, and allow the software to function as designed. Note any movement on the ground balance scale readout. We find that positive signals from rusty iron, cobaltite, niccolite, and pyrrhotite generate significant GB reductions frequently shifting from typical search mode GB86 readouts right down into the GB40s. Positive diabase “hotrock” signals produce a relatively small GB reduction. But fortunately native silver samples free from either cobalt or nickeline contaminants will generate little or no downward movement to more conductive GB values. You will experience some questionable responses at times that will require some interpretation based on your knowledge about local minerals and field conditions. The GB information provided by this technique can be ignored if in doubt, or it can be used in conjunction with target ID and target-sizing to evaluate suspect signals. We practice this procedure to eliminate unnecessary digging in difficult rocky substrates. In a prospecting context, we utilize iron discrimination in areas where hotrocks or ferrous targets are excessive to the point where effective detecting is either inefficient or no longer enjoyable in the motion all-metal mode. We all encounter areas that are so inundated with blaring signals from small bits of iron trash such as tiny nails and tacks, non-descript shards, and interminable wire scraps that effective detecting in the motion all-metal mode is frustrating or next to impossible. In such conditions we use smaller coils to help with separating target signals, and we make good use of small iron discrimination or iron tones. Try adjusting to small iron discrimination levels initially as suggested above by Steve, give it a go and make any further adjustments according to what you can tolerate. This will depend on the amount of trash you’re willing to dig. Using iron tones or iron discrimination will result in overlooking deep non-ferrous targets that occasionally do target ID as iron. But it is a necessary compromise to at least enable us to enjoyably detect excessively trashy sites. Hotrock discrimination is somewhat different from small iron discrimination in northeastern Ontario. By and large we deal with non-conductive mafic hotrocks, diabase is usually the culprit that can produce either positive or negative signals just depending on circumstances, while conductive pyrrhotite hotrocks are mostly responsible for producing positive signals. There are other minor conductive nuisances, for example infrequent bornite and even more rare graphitic rocks. Pyrrhotite signal elimination is straightforward. Large samples may target ID into the low foil range, but most of it is eliminated with mid-to-upper iron range discrimination. This material in abundance renders entire sites unsuitable for detecting with either VLF or PI units. Discrimination settings do vary according to how each discrimination mode processes our non-conductive diabase “hotrock” signals. For example, all discrimination modes eliminate signals from negative diabase hotrocks at a zero discrimination setting. However while both the DE and PF modes require a discrimination setting of “1” to eliminate positive diabase signals, the higher gain JE discrimination mode requires a full iron discrimination setting of “15” to achieve the same result here. Hotrocks in your area may vary considerably from our experience. The only other suggestion that occurs to me at the moment is to equip your F75 with a small coil for gold nugget hunting. Small coils are far more sensitive to small nuggets than is the stock DD coil. There really is no comparison. The 6½-inch elliptical sniper concentric coil is superior in my estimate, although the 5” round DD is a very close performer over my ground. A further advantage to these small coils is that they permit using higher sensitivity settings in prospecting country because they obviously see much less ferromagnetic ground mineral than do the larger coils. I hope the foregoing will be of some use to you. There undoubtedly will be differences in the ground conditions, the hotrocks, and the trash levels in your areas. Good luck with everything William, and welcome to the forum!!! Jim.

Hi Norm… both these minerals are fairly common in the areas that I explore, but there is normally no gold associated with them. That aside, I did like viewing your photo layout, particularly the doubly-terminated, stubby little quartz crystal located at the bottom edge. Commonplace quartz in its various color schemes is my overall favorite mineral, in part because specimen grade samples are fairly easy to find and quite durable. The cubes presumably are iron pyrite. Iron pyrite abundantly occurs in quite a variety of environments because it forms under a wide range of conditions from high temperature ore veins to coldwater sediments. Interesting to see that a couple of your examples are transitioning to an iron oxide, nature's rust generically called limonite but that possibly may include maghemite. I’d like to find something similar for my mineral collection. As mentioned above Norm, that little yellow nugget in the middle of your display is the best indicator of where to search for gold. Hobbyists should look for gold where gold has previously been found, preferably in quantity and detectable size. I consider that to be the first principle of metal detecting for precious metals and put it into practice to search for native silver in northeastern Ontario. Jim.

Hi GB_Amateur… thanks for sharing your recent coin hunt with us. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this presentation and particularly appreciated that you provided a detailed description of your observations and thoughts at the time, and the settings utilized with operating your detector. It was such an informative and interesting read, thankyou. Congratulations on your coin recoveries, the silver coins are always a welcome addition to our collections, and especially that handsome Barber dime. It appears to be in remarkable shape, not bad for a coin that is 106 years old and has likely spent most of those years in the ground. I would think the war nickel ought to clean up nicely too. I’ve found a few over the years, and have been quite pleased with how easily the stains were removed using a brief (mild solution) electrolysis followed by a very light finger application of a silver cleaner (Goddard's Long Shine Silver Foam) / water paste followed by a warm water rinse. Of course I’m not at all concerned about any associated value when employing such methods, but just want the coin to look nice. Below is a photo of a very ordinary but fairly representative dug example that I've cleaned using the described technique. Thanks again for putting together this excellent post, including the nicely illustrative photo of your coin finds………………………Jim.

Hi Gerry… thanks for an interesting post about native copper from Michigan’s copper / silver mining district. Prices vary with obvious physical characteristics but is especially true with structure. The beautiful dendritic specimens are surprisingly expensive at our mineral auctions. No firsthand experience but I’ve been told that naturally occurring native silver with copper in the same piece pushes pricing much higher. The sample you’ve displayed looks pretty good to me. It’s fairly typical, I wouldn’t want to put a price on it but I’ll bet the hobbyist who found it is just delighted with it. The example below isn’t worth much either, but like many other minerals of modest value, I’m satisfied just to have it in my reference collection. From Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula some 30+ years ago, together with some chlorite mineral and calcite crystals………………..Jim.

Hi Gerry… congratulations on a very appealing find. Your specimen is attractive precisely because the gold contrasts so nicely with the white, crystalline quartz. I would avoid any form of hydrofluoric acid treatment that would attack the quartz crystals for that reason alone. A rock tumbler could damage both the gold and the quartz depending on the abrasive material utilized. The gold notwithstanding, we don’t want those handsome quartz crystals irretrievably damaged. It really is better to avoid any treatment to naturally attractive samples such as this one. That said, what you want is easily achieved with very little risk of damage. First option before attempting the technique described below for such a small sample, might be to try swirling the specimen for a few moments in a vinegar / table salt solution. I doubt it would attack the quartz crystals but ought to brighten the gold. Similarly, oxalic acid will remove iron stains without damaging the quartz. It is the standard treatment for this purpose used by serious collectors. From the photo at least, the gold could be somewhat delicate, but you might safely use a light gauge circular wire brush without incurring any serious damage. It's a bit risky on such a small sample. These wire brushes are normally supplied with small handheld rotary tools (dremel for example), and without checking mine, I think they’re about ¾ inch diameter or so. Use a slow speed setting, and only allow the brush tips to touch the high points of the gold. Apply no pressure. This will produce an attractive light luster, particularly on the gold high points. The silver sample below is much larger of course, but in appearance is somewhat similar in shape and structure to your gold specimen. It looked very much like your sample insofar as the silver was quite dull with no luster worth mentioning. Below is the final result after using a circular wire brush, but where some light pressure was applied because the sample was sufficiently durable to support it without risking damage…………….. Jim.

Hi Gerry and everyone... after some 32+ years hunting in northeastern Ontario’s silver country, I have found a few odds and ends, lots of iron relics, older bottles, but only three silver coins. Incidentally I re-bury interesting iron to examine how my detectors react to them once they’ve had a chance to continue the rusting (maghemite formation) process for a few years. When I first ventured north to hunt native silver nuggets and ores, I used to explore widely by utilizing the old abandoned trails and roadways that once serviced the bustling mining camps of the time. Usually I would be hiking about with my old Garrett ADS Deepseeker (equipped with either a seven or twelve inch concentric coil) turned ON. One late afternoon I got a nice little signal and found these two handsome coins together with some large one-cent coppers, obviously a small coin spill from an unfortunate miner. The third silver coin was a 1905 King Edward half-dime found in the tailings of a former high production minesite located within the town limits of Cobalt. I haven’t bothered with a photo because it was slightly bent, but similar to the two dimes in the photo below it was lost in very nice condition. These finds lead me to think that payroll coinage must have come directly from the mint in Ottawa, but that’s speculation, as I’ve never researched it. I think we’ve all experienced finding something nice right at the beginning of an outing (water hunting is a good example with jewelry) and can’t find another good item the rest of the day. And vice-versa too of course. As a water hunter, coin hunter, and prospector I’ve observed this short-term pattern as just described many times. But I’ve only experienced it once over the long-term. I’ve never found another silver coin in that area over the past 30 years……………. Jim.

Hi Gerry… a very insightful contribution, I found myself admiring your presentation of this detector’s potential versatility, goldhunting notwithstanding. I think it generally can be said that metal detectors, within certain constraints, are indeed versatile instruments. I appreciated those photo illustrations because they do strengthen your relic hunting comments. Congratulations on those interesting relics too. I especially liked the ornate bottle top and the old pocket watch, those are nice keepers. I once found a similar-looking pocket watch, albeit damaged, some 25 years ago while hunting silver here in Ontario. Came across a trashy area downhill from the dilapidated ruins of an old cabin out in the woods, and decided to probe for old bottles. It was mere chance that my aluminum probe happened to strike the watch instead of the many rusty tin cans, and that I bothered to check out a non-bottle “clink” for lack of a better description. But that too is a phenomenon of treasure hunting, the operator is the decisive factor in achieving a successful outcome. And finally Gerry, I think that regardless of the detector model, that you will get the most out of it for whatever application you pursue. It was similarly a genuine pleasure to read about your gold picker recoveries using the White’s V3i. It is fascinating to read your knowledgeable posts and to benefit from your lengthy, successful experience in the hobby. There is no doubt in my mind that you are the most valuable “keeper” that has come our way on this forum. Thankyou for your many helpful contributions, you are appreciated perhaps more than you might realize…………….. Jim.

Thanks everyone for those appreciative comments above. I do enjoy responding to Gerry’s knowledgeable and interactive contributions to this forum. That’s not always possible for me because I’m not familiar with the western goldfields where Gerry conducts his training sessions or otherwise pursues gold nugget hunting. Gerry… I have no interest in straying too far off topic, but felt I should respond to your comment highlighted above. The specimen posted earlier is only one of many sizable native silver recoveries made over the years. It’s a nice find, but I would like to show you an additional few examples from Ontario’s silverfields. The first two samples depicted below are pretty much in a natural “as dug” condition. I’ve included a third smaller example because its size is more than compensated for by its solid nugget structure and high purity, a rare find in this area. All these could easily have been detected with a White’s MXT metal detector. It was only a matter of chance that a different prospecting-capable metal detector was utilized when these samples were found. For hobby newcomers reading along, the photos are not intended to suggest that anyone can reasonably expect to head out and detect large specimen grade silver in this area. My intent is to point out that the potential does exist, particularly if one has experience in the area, is a competent metal detector operator, and is willing to persevere and physically work. I don’t have a decent photo for the larger sample below. It’s just too lengthy to get sufficiently close with a camera to reveal detail. I’ve included an additional section close-up photo that helps in that regard. The entire calcite matrix is inundated with massive dendritic native silver of high purity, and incidentally, all the silver is electrically connected. There are no other mineral inclusions to subtract from the specimen’s appearance or value. To date Gerry, it is the most valuable thing I have found with a metal detector………………… Jim.

Hi Gerry… thanks for a timely post highlighting White’s Metal Detectors, an American company that historically has set an innovative engineering standard by which all other metal detecting products have been compared. And for those eye-catching photos depicting a variety of extraordinary recoveries using a White’s MXT metal detector, they illustrate the ultimate in successful treasure hunting. I currently have a White’s MXT 300 and an assortment of coils used primarily for prospecting native silver ores and nuggets in northeastern Ontario. Aside from silver float searching in natural environs where bedrock is generally near the surface, we contend with an abundance of iron and other trash signals in the abandoned mine tailings. We also struggle with conductive pyrrhotite hotrocks, niccolite, and cobalt minerals that generate good positive signals from both VLF and PI units. Those conditions make the MXT’s 13.88 kHz operating frequency, target ID meter, discrimination modes, and particularly the motion all-metal prospecting mode featuring iron probability, VDI and ground phase readouts an excellent choice. The MXT and wide selection of coil types and sizes is ideally suited to this application, and especially so because the most desirable targets weigh ounces and more. Below is an excerpt from a recent article entitled Recreational Prospecting in the Silverfields of Northeastern Ontario. It describes a rewarding field experience a year-and-a-half ago utilizing the White’s MXT 300 equipped with a 12” diameter concentric searchcoil to successfully recover large native silver. A Tale of Two Target Signals Late one afternoon, an elongated signal, correctly indicated by the MXT’s iron probability readout, proved to be a sizable iron bar that was removed from several inches below the surface. Rechecking the immediate area produced another signal that was slightly offset to one side and perhaps a foot deeper. It consistently read at 20% iron probability, and resulted in the large silver sample you see below. It was a special moment to find it so close to the surface, and to realize that the encouraging audio signal and target ID had been produced by silver. If the iron bar hadn't first been removed, that silver signal would have been entirely masked by it regardless of coil size or type. The overlying shallow iron bar had produced a completely dominant, blaring signal. The specimen below was HCl acid treated to remove excessive carbonate rock. It was cleaned with a rotary tool silicon carbide bit, followed by a soapy wash and rinse to produce the silver specimen depicted in the photo below. While not exactly a handsome sample because the silver is embedded in a dark blue-grey carbonate rock, it is a fine example of massively structured dendritic native silver that accounts for most of the sample’s total weight.................... Jim.

Hi Foreverteachable… those coins look to be in pretty good shape. To retain full value, the normal procedure is to not clean coins. Leave it to the experts. However, you’ve indicated that you don’t intend to sell them and have gone ahead with some rudimentary baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) cleaning. Those coins are still encrusted with primarily black sulfide staining, but there is a reasonably mild treatment process that will clean them nicely for you. In my experience, all cleaning methods, whether chemical or abrasive, subtract from the surface integrity of silver coins to some extent. We prefer to minimize any visual damage as much as possible. Since presumably you’d prefer to remove the stains, below is the procedure that I’ve utilized over the years for silver coins that really had limited or no numismatic value. This technique initially involves limited, mild electrolysis followed by a dilute application of silver cleaner paste and water mixture that is gently applied with the fingertips, subsequently rinsed and carefully dried. Electrolysis apparatus can easily be set-up using household items. It requires preparing an electrolytic cell using either a battery or light charger with the silver to be cleaned as the cathode (-ve terminal) and use a stainless steel utensil (spoon) as the anode (+ve terminal). The cathode produces much more bubbles than does the anode, so don’t mistakenly misconnect your apparatus, in fact initially do a test run by cleaning some unimportant small item. A clean nut or screw or whatever is handy will do so that you can clearly see the difference in bubble formation just to confirm you’ve got the electrolytic cell connected properly. If you employ electrolysis many times over the years, you will see that the anode (spoon in this example) will deteriorate and gradually dissolve. Any plastic or glass container of suitable size/volume to accommodate the silver sample can serve as the electrolytic cell. A few tablespoons of baking soda or table salt dissolved in sufficient warm water to cover our sample will do as our electrolyte. For a DC current I prefer a two amp “trickle” charger, but any decent DC power source in the six to twelve volt range is more than adequate. Alligator clips are handy for attaching the lead wires from the power source to the anode and cathode. One point to remember is to always remove your silver coin prior to disconnecting the power source, otherwise you risk plating your silver with whatever +ve ions may be present in solution. Generally coins require a few moments to a half-hour treatment to loosen scaling or sulfide stains, it varies with how encrusted the coin may be. The silver paste / water mixture can then easily lift and remove the stains. When the electrolytic solution becomes “dirty” replace it. My experience is that excessive build-up of metallic ions from the utensil (spoon in this example) can result in plating them on to the silver cathode (coin). Incidentally, do not use the same electrolytic cell water to treat coins of differing metal compositions. Doing so will produce undesirable electrochemical reactions that risk serious damage to your coins. Here’s my understanding of the chemical reactions that take place. An electric current is applied to cause both oxidation and reduction in our electrolytic cell. The positive anode attracts negatively charged ions (atoms with a negative charge are called anions) that move towards it when an electric current is passed through the cell. Oxidation occurs at the anode and oxygen is produced. The negative “silver coin” cathode attracts positive charged ions (called cations). At the cathode, reduction takes place and hydrogen gas is produced. Anions such as sulfide are drawn from the silver and these migrate toward the positively charged anode by electrolytic attraction. Moreover, the hydrogen production at the cathode further acts as a mechanical cleaner to remove incrustations on the silver. Between that action and the loosening or removal of sulfide ions, the silver paste and water mixture can easily complete the cleaning process. Just remember to not use more treatment than absolutely necessary to achieve a satisfactory result. Perhaps others can add their experience here, but I think the foregoing is more than sufficient information if you wish to try this method. As stated earlier, dug coins in good condition would be better left untreated for professional evaluation. All the coin examples portrayed below received the treatment described above. Good luck with your coin hunting, it’s a satisfying and intriguing pursuit that can endure for a lifetime. Jim.

Hi Simon… I see my PM comments about the Smithsonian Institute Rocks & Mineral guide may have influenced you in selecting that video. I agree with you that most minerals are rather attractive, and chasing after them in the wilds introduces an element of intrigue. However many of the minerals we hobbyists encounter in the field are a considerably lower grade than either museum quality or what we see in mineralogy texts. I think with persistence that you will eventually find some rhodonite. I’ve been reading about rhodonite occurrences over in New South Wales. Apparently there have been some exceptional gem quality, deep red crystals recovered at Broken Hill, measuring up to five centimeters in length and embedded in galena. The photo immediately below is a lithium aluminum silicate called spodumene. Color variations are labeled differently. This colorless, opaque to translucent example is further identified as cymophane. It came to me years ago from a California mineral collector who wanted to trade for some native silver. The second photo is because you seem to like native silver!!!

Hi Simon… sorry to hear about your neighbor’s workshed. it’s too bad you don’t have their email address or phone # to advise them. They may have expensive equipment that might be exposed if the roof has been breached. Hope everything works out OK. The rock and mineral book you posted above will probably serve you well, and you will obviously need a local field guide. The Petersen Rock & Mineral guides are easy to read and understand. The advanced guide is a great reference, whereas the simplified version profusely illustrates the basics about rock and mineral formation, crystal forms, simple field ID tests, the individual mineral descriptions presented by category, followed by an index. You may find that the wealth of minerals described is a bit overwhelming at first, but before you know it, they will be as familiar to you as trusted old friends. You might eventually get yourself a little field portable spectroscope to assist with identification on the more transparent samples. I stand to be corrected, but I think it could also be useful to distinguish between fake and real stones in jewelry. This unit is about the length and twice the width of your little finger. I don’t have one yet but it looks like a handy little gadget once you learn how to use it. Simon, why don’t you message me your shipping address? I’m thinking about visiting the bookstore. If they have it, I could buy the simplified version and ship it to you ASAP. I don’t mind in the least, it’s only a few dollars, and besides I wouldn’t mind poking around their geology section to see what else is available. I’ve included two small sample photos of silver above as a result of your comment in your most recent post, so thankyou. We have many fluorite collecting sites in central or eastern Ontario but I have little interest in pursuing it. I think I traded silver for the fluorite sample below. I’m not sure because there have been so many requests over the years that it’s all a muddle now. The time came when my small silver supplies were nearly depleted, and I had to discontinue that practice............................. Jim.

Hi Simon… thanks for popping in!!! I do think that mineralogy in concert with metal detectors is a fascinating pursuit that without question could keep me occupied for an eternity. My interests incline to the natural sciences, but metal detection was introduced to me by mere happenstance. It is surprising how frequently we see that such trivial chance or unlikely probability determines lifelong interests don’t you think? You have several metal detectors well suited to rock and mineral benchtesting. I’m not familiar with your other units, but your T2 and GB Pro should suffice nicely. I fully agree with you that the arsenopyrite is unusually handsome, but then I’m a fool about minerals. Benchtesting is technically quite simple, whereas drawing the right conclusions may require access to information about local rocks and minerals. It might be a good idea to acquire a few understandable mineralogy texts. The Petersen Field Guides are excellent references, both the detailed and the simplified versions authored by Frederick H. Pough. I always keep the more compact simplified version handy in an outer knapsack pocket when in the field. A good portion of what we hobbyists learn is self-taught from direct hands-on field experience, hence I can’t overemphasize the importance of understandable field guides. If you’d prospected here in northeastern Ontario, you’d be familiar with the mineral pyrolusite (MnO2). It’s a general term used to describe a secondary manganese oxide that coats / blackens the surface of manganese-bearing rocks in the tailing piles, shorelines or other surfaces exposed to natural (oxidation) weathering. As a point of interest, we have manganese in a reduced ionic state (Mn+1) in our groundwater supplies. It can create laundry-staining issues when it oxidizes (loss of electrons) from Mn+1 to Mn+2. This results when exposed to strong bleaching agents (for example chlorine) because manganese oxidation stains laundry water black. I have an excellent example of pyrolusite but won’t bother with a photo because it is so doggone non-descript and unattractive. I’ve been remiss by not including a silver photo in the article, so below is a small plate silver which is labeled as a “nugget”. Hi Steve… thanks for stopping around!!! Your comment is most kind, and coming from you it constitutes a very nice compliment indeed. Thankyou for that and for all else that you do on the forum to our benefit. As to the above article, I wanted to contribute something interesting to the forum. It’s a curious psychological reckoning insofar as you can only read what others contribute for so long, and not experience the need to contribute something in return. There were quite a number of minerals whose photos could have been attached to the above article. That was impractical, so depicted below is specular hematite. I don’t know if you encounter this material in the southwest. We have some high production iron mines in several localities, including the renowned surface extraction facility at Marmora, Ontario. Unlike other types of hematite (that I know about) this material, although not exhibiting nearly the full magnetic susceptible strength of magnetite, does seriously react to VLF metal detectors. Hi Bob… thanks for dropping by… your comment is too kind. This article directly resulted from our discussions in recent months about mineral identification. Those exchanges prompted me to conscientiously examine some of my samples, many of them lost forever in dusty boxes in the basement. One thing led to another, the keyboard started clattering away one day, and the final result looked appropriate for Steve’s Rock and Mineral sub-forum. I don’t recollect where the sample below came from, although it’s undoubtedly from an abandoned site in the Temagami copper district just south of northeastern Ontario’s silver country. I haven’t searched there in some 30+ years.

Oh I quite agree Jeff. Brad’s photos could depict a number of common sulfides / arsenides and there are other possibilities. For example, I have a few ore samples exhibiting native silver ‘horns’ and veinlets protruding from oxidized surface niccolite embedded in a light brown carbonate rock, that look very similar to Brad’s sample. But I seriously doubt this is what Brad has found in his area, as these are quite rare. We make our best guess based on the info provided and what we think we see in the photo. The one photo appears to depict some foliation, but there’s no way to be certain. This is why I included a schist photo for him to do a comparison. It ensures that he’ll know if his sample is schist or something else. Jim.

Nice haul Terry!!! Just love those Wheaties, Indian Heads and Mercury dimes. You know the old saying: “when wheaties are here, silver is near”. I’ve hunted in some bad “neighborhood” parks deep in lower Toronto where violent and destructive behavior, robberies, drugs, and prostitution rule. I finally had to give it up despite that one park was the best producer I’d ever found… full of old silver, old large British / Canadian cents, and plenty of other goodies, especially men’s silver rings which was odd. Good signals everywhere, a detectorist's paradise. It was just not worth risking assault or worse. There were a few close calls with trouble-hunting individuals looking for a perceived easy mark. On a more positive note, the truly dangerous ruling gang members (who I repeatedly went out of my way to explain exactly what I was doing) seemed kindly disposed to leave me alone. In fact, when they were in near proximity, absolutely nobody approached or otherwise bothered me. However it was open season on police cruisers and taxicabs, throwing rocks at these vehicles apparently was their favorite pastime. Glad you came out with a whole skin Terry, maybe you’re better off prospecting gold nuggets in Arizona where you only have to deal with tarantulas, poisonous snakes, cougars, and so forth. Easy pickings compared to Yonkers. Jim.

Hi Ammie… demolition sites are a tough proposition for the reasons you described, the elevated trash levels masking good targets and no doubt some desirable targets were buried beyond detection depth. Moreover, the soil movement (disturbed soil conditions), plays havoc with target ID on coins deeper than roughly four inches depth in our soils, and we keep that in mind when detecting urban renewal projects. Searching in such difficult conditions, those wheaties could just as easily have been silver and obviously had to be dug. The Whiskey Good Luck token is an unusual and interesting find, a keeper. For a first time visit, I think you did as well as could be reasonably expected, especially considering your limited time on site. As you continue traveling to new areas, if at all possible (and I realize that it is easier said than done when you’re on the road) keep an eye out for old schools and ballparks, and especially the old picnic groves. (Any sign indicating “something Grove” is liable to be a picnic grove of long standing with the local community). These are great places to find older silver coins, tokens, and occasional jewelry items without having to deal with excessive junk. Incidentally, I don’t know for sure, but that the CSA belt buckle you posted above would probably read somewhere in the copper penny / silver target ID range. When relic hunting that three-acre property adjacent to the civil war site, it is also possible that a very deeply buried buckle might produce a questionable target ID signal. Target ID will depend on just how deep it is, the soil moisture and mineralization present, and the buckle profile presented to the coil… something to keep in mind when detecting deeper, but reasonably well defined target signals that are indicative of non-ferrous targets despite a possible iron target ID. Thanks for keeping us updated Ammie, and again for those illustrative photos, it’s been fun reading about your travel / detecting adventures. Good luck if you get to detect that civil war site tomorrow!!! Jim.

Hi Idahogold…. I’ve been hunting silver for 30+ years in northeastern Ontario, and have written many articles about it, occasionally profiling the utility of different VLF and PI models in those environs. Some of these were posted to Steve’s former AMDS forum, and more recently to the TreasureNet forum. Here’s a link to an example entitled Electronic Prospecting in Silver Country if you wish to view it. http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/canada/282315-electronic-prospecting-silver-country.html I’ve had a lot of unusual and enjoyable experiences, and sometimes managed to find good silver. It’s the entire package that interests me, hiking and exploring, photography, observing wildlife, campfire cookouts, and sleeping well outdoors. It’s been a privileged and altogether wonderful life through the pursuit of this hobby. In retrospect, I wouldn’t change anything even were it possible to do so. For the present at least, my interest has turned to searching for non-detectable minerals such as the example depicted immediately below. In keeping with your comments, I’ve also added a multi-photo of silver. Thanks for the nice reply, and hopefully we’ll have the chance to shoot the breeze again here. Incidentally, I quite enjoyed your post about the apparently not-so-elusive Sasquatch!!! It was an entertaining tale. Happy Trails. Jim.

Thanks Chris for posting the above photo. Good to see that he is able to get about and attend the rock and mineral shows in that area. Jim’s prospecting articles and books, metal detector reviews, and his enthusiasm to engage with hobbyists has earned him respect and admiration throughout the prospecting and mining community. I made his acquaintance many years ago and we subsequently have corresponded down through the years, usually about detectors, and rocks and minerals. In recent times I’ve made an extra effort to describe to him our prospecting trips up here in northeastern Ontario, and provide lots of photos so that he can easily visualize our search environs, our diggings, and our silver recoveries. It’s no accident that so many hobbyists over the years have remarked on these forums that Jim Straight has sent them signed copies of his books. I have no doubt that a kindly letter frequently accompanies those books as well. I might add that my books were gifted to me, and I’m certain that he has been equally thoughtful and generous to many others in the hobby. That’s it for now… just wanted to add my two cents about a fine individual, a friend, a mentor, and in the annals of modern prospecting in the great southwest… he has been a Pathfinder. Jim.

Doc… you are comparing an ideally round shape in the form of a refined silver coin that readily supports induced eddy currents to naturally occurring nuggets that usually target ID as low conductors because for various reasons they are not ideal candidates to support induced eddy currents. Why is that the case?? How well a nugget will support eddy currents, and generate whatever signal strength and target ID will depend upon physical / chemical parameters such as size, shape, purity, types of mineral inclusions, structure (for example… dendritic, plate, disseminate or particulate, sponge, nuggety or massive), and the profile presented to the coil. Such factors are invariably less than ideal to support eddy currents, and hence testing nuggets of differing size, shape and structure will produce a variety of PI time constants. See the comparison photo of silver examples below, but keep in mind that a large portion of our silver ores and nuggets do target ID within the foil to nickel range. Small nuggets, similar in size to those in the photo, that target ID in the silver dime range are relatively quite rare. Ground conditions also play an important role determining in-situ target ID, and refer to factors such as the strength of non-conductive magnetic susceptible iron minerals, ground moisture content, proximity of adjacent targets, and disturbed ground. These factors occasionally contribute to perfectly good silver nuggets and ores at depth producing a VLF target ID in the iron range. Hope this post helps... Jim.

I don’t know either Tom… but when it comes to Bigfoot sightings and other preternatural occurrences, well I’m not from Missouri… but you’re still going to have to show me before I’ll believe it. While it may be pleasant around the campfire to hypothesize that Bigfoot is roaming the nearby bush, I’m inclined (in retrospect that is) to consider the culprit in Discombobulated Prospecting to either be a bear or more probably a cougar as noted earlier. “I was in process of hiking over to the tree as I was looking for treasure at the time and figgered I was being called over to the shaking tree”. I take it that you are still dowsing for minerals, hence you feel that the guiding force that causes your map-dowsing pendulum to perform was also perhaps causing the tree to sway such that it called your attention to it. I don’t necessarily subscribe to that view, but neither can I dispute it because there is no factual basis to do so. But I will say that a swaying tree in our northern woods is a good indication of a large blackbear. We both pursue this hobby alone and rather defenseless in remote areas. Should a confrontational situation suddenly occur, I doubt there would be sufficient time to retrieve my bearspray from my knapsack. Best probable solution might be to acquire a faithful dog or two. Dogs are pretty good with the metaphysical stuff, their extra-sensory perception allows them to see what we cannot see and that might serve us well. Handguns are illegal here, and a rifle is cumbersome extra gear that is too inconvenient to tote around the bush. In closing Tom, maybe I could relate a brief story to you about finding some silver on our most recent trip to the North Country. I was searching a new area that I had earlier researched and the day previously had recovered several small pieces that encouraged me to persist there. Late the next afternoon, an elongated signal, correctly identified by my MXT’s iron probability readout, proved to be a sizable iron bar that was removed from several inches below the surface. Rechecking the hole produced another signal that was slightly offset to one side and perhaps a foot deeper. It consistently read at 20% iron probability, and resulted in the silver sample depicted in the first and second photos below. It was quite a surprise to find large silver so close to the surface, and to realize that the encouraging audio signal and target ID had been produced by silver rather than the usual large iron at depth. In addition to a few smaller pieces, after two days of trenching that site the dendritic silver in the third photo surfaced as well. Both samples below were HCl acid treated to remove excessive carbonate rock and cleaned with a rotary tool silicon carbide bit, followed by a soapy wash and rinse. While not exactly a handsome specimen because it is embedded in a dark blue-grey carbonate matrix, the ten lb piece is a fine example of massively structured dendritic native silver that accounts for much of the rock’s total weight. That’s it for now, take care. Jim.

A Discombobulated Prospecting Tale The following is a recollection about a prospecting trip, encounters with wildlife, including an unidentified large creature. Since our story is firmly entrenched in wilderness prospecting environs, we’ll scatter some of our more photogenic native silver and other photos at appropriate intervals throughout the text. These happenings occurred over less than a twelve-hour period many years ago. Let's move on to our tale… please read this as a campfire story. “There’s a long, long time of waiting Until my dreams all come true… Till the day when I’ll be going Down that long, long trail with you.” The origins of our tale begin some years ago, with my annual autumn prospecting trip into the northeastern part of Ontario renowned for its silver production. The area represents a small part of a vast, heavily forested wilderness perched on the sprawling Precambrian Shield. Away from the small towns and villages, and widely scattered farms and rural homesteads, there exists a largely uninterrupted way of life in the more remote areas. There are uncounted miles of lonely country backroads, overgrown tracks leading to abandoned mining camps, innumerable rough timber lanes, and a virtually infinite tangle of winding trails that reach deeply into the distant boreal forests. The region is largely supported by forestry, tourism, and mining. It is rich in nearly every mineral one can imagine, but especially of gold and silver, and the base metals. It attracts an annual autumn migration of hunters, fishermen, mineral collectors, and other adventurers seeking the beckoning, companionable solitude of the remote wilderness. The photo below depicts a former minesite located in the immediate area, where documented in 1924, two prospectors claim to have sighted the highly elusive Sasquatch, sometimes referred to as the Abominable Snowman of the Himalayas. Our journey back in time so many long years ago, finds us contentedly settled into a perfectly routine, bright morning following a highly interesting prospecting sojourn the previous day. That day I had made the companionable acquaintance of two staff members from Michigan State University. They had recently arrived in a magnificent motorhome to search for precious silver and other minerals with their assortment of metal detectors. Their silver prospecting had been unsuccessful thus far, but undiminished in their enthusiasm, they were eager to explore for old relics and antique glassware. I suggested some promising abandoned homestead sites in the woods, and we made further plans to share some morning tea, view my silver recoveries, and make some detecting plans for the day. In preparation for the visit, I arose early that morning, performed the usual perfunctory personal ablutions, and stepped lightly from the camper to prepare a hungry outdoorsman’s breakfast at the picnic table. That normally means bacon and eggs fried on the fretful propane gas stove conveniently located beneath the wide, foul-weather canopy. Now for the benefit of urban dwellers not fully appreciating such matters, I submit there is no more tantalizing scent that permeates the woodland aisles as solicitously to a ravenously hungry wayfarer than that of sizzling bacon in the frying pan. Thus to my dismay but not surprise upon returning from the camper with some handy utensils, I abruptly came face-to-face with a wayfarer in the form of a decidedly stout blackbear immediately across the table from me. Well… we both rather casually glanced at one another for some several seconds, which is a long time really… in what could only be described as a mutually earnest attempt to evaluate exactly just what the other's full intentions and possible capabilities might be. The issue at hand of course, was possession of the steaming breakfast now lying sumptuously before us, a seeming impasse that would brook no compromise. Allowing that I was a man of action, a trait not one whit diminished by the present circumstances, and fully aware that a brand-spanking-new container of "Bear Guard" resided within my trusty backpack just inside the camper doorway, I promptly retired indoors to retrieve this potent pest serum. In the twinkling of an eye the bear spray was in my hand, safety mechanism removed, and finger on the trigger. Brimming with confidence that no small victory was easily within my grasp, I took careful aim… and well, how could one possibly miss? Meanwhile, my uninvited, immobile guest had remained quietly composed and altogether civil in his demeanor, and I regret to relate, with rather sad, supplicating eyes fixed with unblinking steadiness on mine. But doggedly immune to sympathy for any but myself …at that particular moment that is… the trigger was released without the least regret. And quicker than thought, a plume of debilitating chemical spray tracked unfailingly straight for the bear’s nose. But even quicker still, my new acquaintance ducked his head and sidestepped, indeed shrugging off the main thrust of my carefully conspired offensive as if it were inconsequential. And there was a further complication insofar as I had signally failed to consider the oncoming breeze. Almost as quickly as the implications occurred to me, I succumbed to the bear-spray fumes, abandoned breakfast in panicky confusion, blindly retreating back into the camper’s safety. Subsequent to a half-hour convalescence of teary-eyed, spasmodic coughing and retching, I regained some semblance of normal breathing and cardiac composure. Ready to face the inevitable, I set forth to resume the contest, only to find my breakfast charred, and amiable new companion unmoved and indifferent to my enterprise thus far. I reviewed the alternatives carefully as things now stood. Breakfast was no longer a matter of dispute to me at least. But I could not simply hand it over either. The park brochures unequivocally admonished the reader not to feed the bears and I did enjoy the repute of being an experienced outdoorsman. More, my tentative little friend had demonstrated remarkable forbearance by not taking advantage of my temporary lapse. And worse, he fixed me with unwavering, sad appealing eyes, conveying eternal gratitude and sacrifice for my sake, if only he might sample the frying pan’s tasty scraps. I began to feel shame at my own indignant, confrontational behavior towards this unobtrusive creature. But company was coming for tea, and in short order we would be leaving camp for the day. My new friend could not be left alone near camp. Long story short, I sidled over to my truck and spent an exasperating hour or so chasing this mangy, obstinate competitor from camp and hopefully from the park. Now, fully appreciating the desperate craftiness I faced with this shrewd adversary, I arranged for the Ministry of Natural Resources to set a bear trap nearby, later in the day. Content with this strategic maneuver, and in the afterglow of glad relief as can only be savored with successful, decisive conquest of brute strength by infinitely resourceful cunning, my recently arrived companions of the previous day and I enjoyed morning tea, and merrily hit the treasure trail. Feeling secure any remaining camp contingency was suitably addressed, I for one had no more care in the world than the wispy, white cirrus clouds scurrying across the blue heavens above. Late evening of that day found me alone at a remote site, deep in the wilderness and far removed from the welcoming lights of civilization. As had become habit over many years, darkness… rebuked only by a slim sliver of veiled moonlight known affectionately to livestock thieves as a Rustler's Moon… found me still rock hunting. The recovery of a promising target signal preoccupied my thoughts and effort. I’ve never been able to abandon a good signal and never will, regardless of circumstances. Finally, after exhaustive prying and digging, I packed my prize into the backpack and reluctantly hiked uphill to a wide bench where my truck was parked. With nothing more profound on my mind than entertaining thoughts of tasty pork and beans for dinner over a hot fire, I stored my equipment and backpack into the back of the truck and made ready to return to camp. It happened so quickly, it was shocking, and there was no time to think. Throwing the transmission into reverse, I did what I always do from long habit… I looked into the interior rear view mirror. You might easily imagine my startled reaction to see two enormously elevated large glowing eyes, illuminated only by my reverse lights…fixedly gazing into the mirror directly into mine. There was no sound, no contact with the truck. In a furious snit of energy that would have garnered surprised favor from my boss back at the office, I quickly swung my Jeep around… a credit to my youthful driving instructor, could he only have witnessed that splendid three-point turn. My lights immediately filled the misty gloom to reveal…nothing. The creature had vanished into thin air, certainly not an impossible feat, but most unlikely. It was wide, open space on that bench, and I could not understand how the creature had disappeared so quickly. With the desire to leave the scene waning quickly, I drove some thirty yards downhill on the overgrown track and stopped. I jumped out of the truck with my high powered flashlight at the ready, and began a systematic exploration of the nearby woods, always staying within easy retreat to the vehicle’s safety. The remaining foliage of innumerable aspen and tag alders interfered with a close scrutiny and I did not dare to go further afield. Yet, short of the distant forlorn cry of a loon, I could not see or hear anything unusual to disturb the evening’s tranquillity. Dismayed, I returned to the truck and cautiously resumed my way down the dark, abandoned track, crossed a tumbling wide brook at the bottom end of the lake to finally gain firm footing on the opposite shore, and headed for camp completely lost in thought. Some three-quarters of an hour later I arrived back at the campsite looking forward to lighting a blazing fire and enjoying a steaming mug of tea before dinner. At such times, subsequent to a highly startling experience, it is unsettling to realize that no “sixth” sense had alerted me to the possible danger of a nearby large creature out at the remote minesite. A creature that apparently was aware of my activities, and perhaps observing or even stalking me for some length of time. Yet as I jumped out of my truck at camp, that sixth sense came abruptly to the fore. The evening sky had given way to gloomy scuttling clouds, the wind had sharply risen to rustle fallen leaves, sighing fitfully through the treetops. Have you ever stumbled in the darkness of night into an unseen wall or obstacle that brought you up short? The moment I stepped away from my truck such an overwhelming foreboding sense came over me that I stood stock still, peering into the thick darkness in some vague attempt to comprehend the sharp, uneasy feeling. Now then, let it be clear that I am not one given to fears of the dark or superstitious nonsense. I never look over my shoulder dreading the sight of some phantom specter, not ever. But my instincts were alerted, as I stood there motionless, considering possibilities. Grabbing my flashlight, I treaded slowly towards the camper. There seemed to be no indication of… CLANG!!!! The unmistakable, hard contact of heavy steel. Relocating my boots in a fit of unbounded fright and quickly retying them with an uncompromising knot, I cautiously probed around the far corner of the camper. For the second time in less than an hour, the steady beams of two blazing lanterns gleamed directly back into my eyes from the depths of darkness. For securely locked inside an MNR bear trap, placed strategically behind and immediately adjacent to my camper by far-sighted government employees, was a rather large bear. At the moment he was huddled in cringing fear at the rear of the cage. ‘And so you should be’ I swaggered with surging, buoyant relief. Early the next morning, in the face of a steady driving rain, all thoughts of rockhunting were dismissed for the day. I hurriedly wolfed down breakfast, nodded a cheerful farewell to my erstwhile caged companion of the night, and lit out for the minesite. On arrival, I carefully looked for, but could not see any tracks. I felt certain that somewhere in the soft slag-sand substrate, there should have been some evidence of tracks despite the rain. Certainly a moose or large bear on hind legs could be the only credible suspects with regard to the enormously elevated set of eyes that had glared into my rear-view mirror the previous night. But I looked for tracks or any other evidence in vain. Deflated and somewhat incredulous, I retraced my way back to the nearest country backroad where, as chance would dictate, I abruptly encountered my acquaintances from Michigan. I described the event at the minesite to them, whereupon one individual opened his briefcase, retrieved some stapled papers and handed them to me. A fully documented account from 1924 of a Sasquatch sighting in the very same local. The article revealed that two prospectors arose from their fireside breakfast to observe an enormous man-like creature disappearing into the nearby forest. Their estimate was on the order of eight feet or so, a wild-looking hairy biped. In those times such creatures were not nearly so widely known or celebrated in the mainstream media. That factor alone doubtless lends more credibility to the report. Was meeting these two men again at that time and place mere coincidence? Did they have some other reason for visiting the area in addition to their relic, bottle and silver hunting? There was no question they had purposely brought the prepared Sasquatch information. You might ask in retrospect why I did not see the creature’s outline in my reverse lights. My answer is that my full attention was immediately drawn to those two blazing eyes. It was all so quick and unexpected. In retrospect, I regard this event simply as an encounter with an unknown creature. Only the illusive Sasquatch of the deep wilderness, given that he exists, could have the sharp intelligence to outwit me with regard to his timely, quick disappearance. The removal of tracks was too clever indeed, but at the same time there is no support for the notion that any other wildlife in existence could possess the means or forethought. A tale is never complete without a postscript. Despite the passage of many years, I have not been able to relinquish the memory of the bear with the terribly sad, pleading eyes. Call me a hopeless romantic. I later learned that berry production was very poor that season, doubtless resulting in higher bear mortality rates. Could I revisit those moments, if I thought there was any chance my uninvited guest would sit down at the table, mind his manners and otherwise behave, I would now gladly serve up my charred breakfast scraps were it only possible. But alas, time moves relentlessly forward, leaving only fading memories of scenarios we can never retrieve. Many years later, on a beautiful, clear evening in the silvery radiance of full moonlight washing down over all the old familiar places, I revisited that particular site ostensibly to collect some pyrrhotite samples. But the truth is that I was contemplating that vivid memory from so many years ago. It was no fun getting back in there at night after the long passage of time. I spent a pleasant few hours in observation, over sandwiches and coffee, then departed, crossing the old stream-bed perhaps for a last time. The beavers seem to have abandoned the spot and massive washouts appear imminent. Think what you will, but that concludes our prospecting tale. Whether by design or chaos, we live on a tiny planet in a small, inconsequential solar system located on the outer fringe of the Milky Way. Life for most of us is nothing more or less than a twisty maze of circumstances and events that frequently generate no reasonable or satisfactory explanation for the odd happenstances of our existence. Happy Holidays everyone… all the very best to you in the forthcoming New Year. Jim. Edited / Photo Revised December 2017