iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Looking forward to sharing new insights about Charles Lyell's contributions to Nova Scotia geoheritage in a public talk for the #Edinburgh Geological Society, November 16, 7:00 pm. More info at edinburghgeolsoc.org/lectures/#to... ⚒️

A page of sketches and text from Charles Lyell's notebook, a portrait of Charles Lyell in front of a geological map of Nova Scotia produced by William Dawson in 1855, and lithographic image of 'modern' bird tracks in Bay of Fundy mud from 1842 published by Lyell in Travels in North America and Nova Scotia in 1845

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

We celebrated International Geodiversity Day @geodiversityday.bsky.social - in the Cliffs of Fundy Geopark looking for samples of the oldest plant fossils in Nova Scotia, at the Emsian (400 million year old) Devonian age fossil site. A wonderful day of field work - Geodiversity On Our Doorstep! ⚒️

Dr Tim Fedak, Senior Curator of Geology, Nova Scotia Museum, and Caleb Grant, Geoscientist with Cliffs of Fundy UNESCO Global Geopark

A beautiful waterfall in a mountain brook in the Cliffs of Fundy UNESCO Global Geopark, near the fossil site.

A sample of Emsian, Devonian aged plant fossils found during International Geodiversity Day. The oldest plant fossils from Nova Scotia.

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

This 400 million year old fossil is one of the oldest fossil plants from Nova Scotia. A Devonian plant from Murphy Brook Formation, Cliffs of Fundy UNESCO Global Geopark.

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

This is a remarkable and enjoyable book. Life Between The Tides, Adam Nicolson. Highly recommend for summer reading along the seashore.

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

For #FossilFriday - a 300 million year old Neuropteris frond that was found yesterday during a site survey on the northern shore of #NovaScotia. Summer sunshine illuminates and warms an ancient fern leaf again after 300 million years. The beauty of natural history in this present moment. ⚒️

Dark brown rock with a fern fossil on the surface, being held in a hand in front of a beach blurred in the background. A burred orange and white dots at the top of the beach may be a person.

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

I recognized MacAskill’s vantage point was at the East Bay geosite of the Cliffs of Fundy UNESCO Global Geopark, near Parrsboro, Nova Scotia. So I visited the site, did a drawing and took a modern photo. #geoheritage ⚒️

Drawing of seascape and rock coastline, titled Glooscap’s Gate

Photograph of a drawing in front of a rocky coastline with Cape Split and Cape Sharp in the distance.

Modern photograph of a rocky coastline with linear sedimentary features and other shoreline in the distant horizon.

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

W R MacAskill (1887-1956) was an award winning photographer when he had this photo titled “Glooscap’s Gateway, Nova Scotia”, published in The Saturday Evening Post @satevepost.bsky.social in May 1930.

Photograph of a rocky coastline with linear sedimentary features framing distant shorelines on the horizon

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

Can someone help #translate this postcard sent by my grandfather to his Aunt, from Ukrainian to English?

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

This summer - you can see these and other mastodon friends at the Cape Breton Fossil Centre in Sydney Mines - in the Age of the Mastodon exhibit. On display until September. #CapeBreton

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Everyone knows Gus and his good friend Root the Wood Turtle @mnhnovascotia.bsky.social - but did you know that the NSM Geology Collection also has 80,000 year old Wood Turtles from the mastodon sinkhole? Imagine putting these ancient puzzles together!

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Two geology maps of #NovaScotia. The first is the full geology map of Nova Scotia, the second is what a palaeontologist sees - all the sedimentary formations with potential fossils. ⚒️. What do you see when you look at a geology map?

Geology map of Nova Scotia, with mosaic of colours, orange, green, light blue, yellow and pink, representing the distribution of rocks of specific types and ages.

Geology map of Nova Scotia with colours brown, yellow and light blue, distributed around the Bay of Fundy, North Shore and Cape Breton.

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

Between 1828 and 1832, Charles Jackson and Francis Alger, two geologists from Boston, published the first geological map of #NovaScotia.

Map of Nova Scotia from 1832 with blue, pink, red and yellow watercolours showing types of rocks found. Titled - A New Geological Map of the Peninsula of Nova Scotia, with a Section"

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

In 1832, Jacob Green MD was the FIRST to illustrate and describe a fossil from #NovaScotia - Asaphus crypturus, a giant Devonian trilobite from #MooseRiver at #Clementsport. Green also made plaster reference casts shared with museums around the world. He obtained the fossi from Francis Alger.

Cover of historic paper titled "Monograph of the Trilobites of North America with Colored Models of the Species" by Jacob Green, M. D. 1832

Plaster cast of Asaphus crypturus, from Bristol Museums Collections.

Lithograph of giant trilobite fossil Asaphus crytpurus (Green)

Fossil of Asaphus crypturus in the Nova Scotia Museum colletions. 967GF176.001

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

During today's tribute to Dr. Hans-Dieter Sues, Paul Olsen shared how Hans was able to identify the tooth of Oligokyphus within a few seconds of looking at a photo. Hans' knowledge was unparalleled, and he was always so supportive. ⚒️ @canjearthsci.bsky.social - dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjes-2014-0220

Image of the fossil tooth and jaw fragment of Oligokyphus, from Wasson Bluff, Nova Scotia. From Canadian Journal of Earth Science.

Image of Hans Sues (left) and several of his favorite Nova Scotia fossils, Teraterpeton hrynewichorum, Hypsognathus fenneri, and Clevosaurus bairdi.

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

For #FossilFriday - spent a bit of time in the Dinosaur Exploration exhibit at the Museum of Natural History in #Halifax #NovaScotia.

Drawing of dinosaur skulls Plateosaurus and Coelophysis with skeletons in the background.

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

I was deeply saddened to hear of the recent passing of Dr. Hans-Dieter Sues. He has generously supported my work over the past thirty years and he made huge contributions to paleontology here in #NovaScotia. From 2021, a @novascotiamuseum.bsky.social showcase video youtu.be/AjzIuaQ-Qn0 - RIP Hans.

Photo of Dr. Hans-Dieter Sues and Tim Fedak, photograph of Teraterpeton skull, skull of Hypsognathus, and Clevosaurus, all from Nova Scotia.

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

#FossilFriday drawing of Plateosaurus skull and neck - on display in Dinosaur Explorations exhibit at the Museum of Natural History in Halifax. @novascotiamuseum.bsky.social

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

On #museumselfieday saying hello to our OLD friend Hypsognathus in the Geology Collections of the Nova Scotia Museum. You can now say hello as well, with Collections Online at collections.novascotia.ca/object-nsm99...

Selfie of museum curator holding the small skull of Hypsognathus in his hand

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 23/12/2025

In case you might find this interesting, the "Science and Practice of Road Making", from The Bee newspaper, Pictou, Nova Scotia, January 1836. #urbangeology #historyofgeology

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

This image is a highlight of 2025. It represents celebration of geoheritage, geodiversity, and community engagement. www.geodiversityday.org/post/geodive...

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

Only those who were there, know how great an event this was. @jasonloxton.bsky.social

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

A merry and very, very,... old #ChristmasTree. These #NovaScotia pine cones may be from the Cretaceous! Learn more at: museum.novascotia.ca/blog/very-ol...

Two fossil pine cones, about 6-7 cm long cones with scales. Specimen number NSM024GF32 and 1 cm scale bar.

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

A wonderful celebration of #GeodiversityDay in the Cliffs of Fundy UNESCO Global Geopark - ⚒️ see more and Like/Follow at: facebook.com/DrawingGeopa...

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

Found this 80,000 year old seed in #MastodonMud at the museum today. Will it sprout? @novascotiamuseum.bsky.social

A small tan colour seed floating in water

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

For #FossilFriday - ancient DNA shows the #NovaScotia mastodons are older than thought, and have migrated into the Atlantic region multiple times over the past 500,000 years. In Science Advances www.science.org/doi/10.1126/... ⚒️

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

On my desk for #FossilFriday - these small bones (Northern Leopard Frog) and the spruce cone being removed from a small block of 80,000 year old mud collected during the 1991 Mastodon dig. These have been in a freezer for over 30 years! Will the 80,000 year old spruce cone have viable seeds?

Thin white bone a few centimeters long in a dried grey mud, with a scale bar.

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

In Travels to North America and Nova Scotia (1845) Lyell published this lithograph of bird tracks in mud that he collected in 1842. Today, as I sit on this same shore, I can appreciate Lyell watching these delicate birds and thinking about deep time. #geoheritage

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

The delicate bird tracks are from the small Semipalmated Sandpipers. While doing a drawing study, the birds ignore you and go about their business.

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

Some nice high tide mud exposures with Raccoon footprints at The Port Pub in #PortWilliams #NovaScotia #PortWilliams

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

Today - I'm taking a road trip to #Kentville #NovaScotia to search for tracks preserved in Bay of Fundy mud. In 1842, Dr. Webster sent samples of rain prints collected from the muddy banks of the Cornwallis River to Charles Lyell. The rest, is geological history! ⚒️ archive.org/details/quar...

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

Kissing fish! For #FossilFriday - the latest view of the Platysomid fish from the Early Carboniferous of #NovaScotia found by Dr Mo Snyder and Jesse Demaires-Smith from Acadia University is 2023. ⚒️ Fossil and counterpart - look like two fish kissing.

Oval brown rocks with a fossil fish and its counter part on left, with skull impression facing each other and scales of body visible in both pieces. A reference paper with illustrations, a bottle of consolidant/glue and a yellow paint brush in background.

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 12/07/2025

Some weekend reading - #Geodiversity, #PleinAir Painting in #Geoparks and #Geoheritage in #NovaScotia all available on edinos.ca ⚒️

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

In August of 1842, Charles Lyell visit a fossiliferous limestone on the shore of the Debert River, #NovaScotia. Today, I found the fossiliferous limestone, and am impressed with the view that Lyell enjoyed so many years ago. ⚒️

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

Drawing Prompt = Pebble Drawing in Geoparks on Facebook at www.facebook.com/share/p/1HFJ...

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

Am excited for tomorrow’s #geoheritage field trip to visit a site where Charles Lyell stopped on the Folly (Fawleigh) River Bridge to observe the exposed gypsum and draw in his notebook - Aug 10, 1842.

Photograph of three printed pages, including Charles Lyell’s notebook sketch, a drawing of a bridge crossing a river and map of Fawleigh and Debert area.

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

Learned so much tonight from Mercedes Peters @mercedespeters.bsky.social public talk at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. Keeping the ember alive, and learning strong.

Title slide - Carrying Through: Mi’kmaw Women Educators Shaping Our Past, Present, and Future.

Drawing of Mi’kmaw women educators, Dr Elsie Charles Basque, Elder Dr Sr Dorthy Moore, Elder Dr Murdena Marshall, Elder Fr Lillian Marshall, Elder Phyllis Googoo

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

I have been enjoying the past couple of weeks working with the #NovaScotia mineralogy collection @novascotiamuseum.bsky.social - Some new online resources… coming soon. What’s your favourite Nova Scotia mineral?

Museum collection cabinets with minerals on table and Photo Booth in corner. Moose antlers on top of cabinets

Light orange Stilbite crystals and 5 centimetre scale bar.

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

Gave a guest lecture/workshop today for Geology 2 @dalhousieu.bsky.social students = Drawing Skulls / Drawing Skills. The students appreciated getting some tips and having ltime to practice observation drawing.

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

In conjunction with the Monsters of the Abyss exhibit, a small display of historical specimens was installed in the Marine Gallery of the Museum of Natural History. #FindingHoneyman

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

This heart rock was given to me by young Emma during an urban geology tour in Halifax in 2023. The treasured rock remains on my office desk. #HappyValentinesDay #HeartRocks ⚒️

A group of people look on as a young girl passes a rock to a tour leader during an urban geology walking tour

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

For International Day of Women and Girls in Science - remembering Elizabeth King (1923-2010). In researching and telling her story, I've come to really appreciate her determination and passion for geology. She wrote her first paper at age of nine years old! ojs.library.dal.ca/nsis/article...

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

Samuel Gaskin made significant contributions to the mapping department of the #NovaScotia Dept of Mines from 1950 through 1977. Gaskin brought innovations in using aerial photographs to create more accurate maps for geology and tourism. museum.novascotia.ca/blog/mapping...

Samuel Gaskin points to geology map with three other colleagues looking on.

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

For #FossilFriday a portion of a Calamites stem from Port Hood, Cape Breton, found by Rev. David Honeyman in 1851. This is one of earliest fossils he collected and accessioned in the museum collection! ⚒️ @novascotiamuseum.bsky.social #FindingHoneyman

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

For #FossilFriday - Rex was very excited to have the opportunity to sniff some #NovaScotia Mastodon bones. Good boy Rex.

Rex the black and white Border Collie stands near three bones of a Mastodon

Rex the black and white Border Collie sniffs a Mastodon

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

You are an Urban Geologist - when you find yourself looking at pieces of concrete sidewalk. #urbanGeology ⚒️

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Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

Charles S Fletcher (1896-1970) biography now published in December issue of GSA Today. A fourth generation African Nova Scotian who became a key man in Harvard Mining Geology lab. #histgeo ⚒️ Available at: doi.org/10.1130/GSAT...

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