Show Navigation
Environment
All Galleries
Australian Dinosaurs
39 images
Created 30 Jan 2013
Loading (
)...
AUS_SCI_DINO_23_xs.jpg
AUS_SCI_DINO_39_xs.jpg
AUS_SCI_DINO_21_xs.jpg
AUS_SCI_DINO_01_xs.jpg
AUS_SCI_DINO_30_xs.jpg
AUS_SCI_DINO_28_xs.jpg
AUS_SCI_DINO_27_xs.jpg
AUS_SCI_DINO_26_xs.jpg
AUS_SCI_DINO_37_xs.jpg
AUS_SCI_DINO_34_xs.jpg
AUS_SCI_DINO_36_xs.jpg
AUS_SCI_DINO_35_xs.jpg
AUS_SCI_DINO_38_xs.jpg
AUS_SCI_DINO_22_xs.jpg
AUS_SCI_DINO_03_xs.jpg
AUS_SCI_DINO_33_xs.jpg
AUS_SCI_DINO_32_xs.jpg
AUS_SCI_DINO_29_xs.jpg
AUS_SCI_DINO_31_xs.jpg
AUS_SCI_DINO_17_xs.jpg
AUS_SCI_DINO_24_xs.jpg
AUS_SCI_DINO_25_xs.jpg
AUS_SCI_DINO_04_xs.jpg
AUS_SCI_DINO_05_xs.jpg
AUS_SCI_DINO_18_xs.jpg
AUS_SCI_DINO_06_xs.jpg
AUS_SCI_DINO_07_xs.jpg
AUS_SCI_DINO_08_xs.jpg
AUS_SCI_DINO_10_xs.jpg
AUS_SCI_DINO_09_xs.jpg
AUS_SCI_DINO_11_xs.jpg
AUS_SCI_DINO_12_xs.jpg
AUS_SCI_DINO_13_xs.jpg
AUS_SCI_DINO_14_xs.jpg
AUS_SCI_DINO_20_xs.jpg
AUS_SCI_DINO_19_xs.jpg
AUS_SCI_DINO_16_xs.jpg
AUS_SCI_DINO_15_xs.jpg
AUS_SCI_DINO_02_xs.jpg
Peter Menzel Photography
Home
Legal & Copyright
About Us
Image Archive
Search the Archive
Exhibit List
Lecture List
Agencies
Contact Us: Licensing & Inquiries
![Beware - dinosaurs! A road sign close to Dinosaur Cove, a major fossil excavation in Australia. The sign, intended to warn of the presence of kangaroos, was altered by one of the volunteer workers at the site. Dinosaur Cove is the first mine devoted to paleontology, most excavations rely on existing commercial mines. [1989].](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I00007fETjep0To4/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I00007fETjep0To4.jpg)
![Dinosaur Cove, near Cape Otway in southern Australia, is the world's first mine developed specifically for paleontology, normally the scientists rely on commercial mining to make the excavations. The mines are at sea level at the base of high cliff. The site is of particular interest as the fossils found date from about 100 million years ago, when Australia was much closer to the South Pole than today. [1989]](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I0000a37Yvcwl9W0/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I0000a37Yvcwl9W0.jpg)
![Long-exposure view of Dinosaur Cove by moonlight. The streaks in the sky are star trails created by the long time exposure. Dinosaur Cove, near Cape Otway, southern Australia is the world's first mine developed specifically for paleontology, normally the scientists rely on commercial mining to make the excavations. The site is of particular interest as the fossils found date from about 100 million years ago, when Australia was much closer to the South Pole than today. [1989].](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I0000v7LIIt9mCcU/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I0000v7LIIt9mCcU.jpg)
![Relic Rain Forest near Cape Otway, southern Australia. View of the diversity of plant species under the canopy of a sub- tropical rain forest. The rain forests are vast regions of multi-layered floral communities. Tall trunks of the canopy trees are interspersed with species that are more at home in dark conditions. Environmentalists and scientists alike lament the destruction of the Earth's rain forests as one of the great disgraces of humanity: not only are the rain forests a major source of oxygen (from plant respiration) but they are also home to millions of unique plant and animal species. Environment [1989]](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I0000Erspt2n9pvQ/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I0000Erspt2n9pvQ.jpg)
![A team of paleontologists at work at Dinosaur Cove, Australia. They are seen here removing the overburden, rock lying on top of the strata in which the fossils are expected to be found. Dinosaur Cove, near Cape Otway in southern Australia, is the world's first mine developed specifically for paleontology, normally the scientists rely on commercial mining to make the excavations. The site is of particular interest as the fossils found date from about 100 million years ago, when Australia was much closer to the South Pole than today. [1989].](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I0000kWH0fbURCRc/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I0000kWH0fbURCRc.jpg)
![Corey Wilson and John Wilson, members of the Dinosaur Cove excavation team, drill holes in the working face of the mine to allow explosives to be placed. The explosives are used to dislodge large pieces of rock, which are then removed and checked for fossil remains. Dinosaur Cove is the world's first mine developed specifically for paleontology, normally the scientists rely on commercial mining to make the excavations. The site is of particular interest as the fossils found date from about 100 million years ago, when Australia was much closer to the South Pole than today. MODEL RELEASED [1989].](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I0000Zcne_cgCVUg/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I0000Zcne_cgCVUg.jpg)
![Corey Wilson and John Wilson, members of the Dinosaur Cove excavation team cool off in a rock tide pool after drilling holes in the working face of the mine to allow explosives to be placed. The explosives are used to dislodge large pieces of rock, which are then removed and checked for fossil remains. Dinosaur Cove, near Cape Otway in southern Australia, is the world's first mine developed specifically for paleo-ontological excavations. MODEL RELEASED [1989]](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I0000wt4eCWm6KY8/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I0000wt4eCWm6KY8.jpg)
![Newlyweds Helen and John Wilson after a hard day of drilling and jack hammering at Dinosaur Cove. They are members of the Dinosaur Cove excavation team that is drilling holes in the working face of the mine to allow explosives to be placed. The explosives are used to dislodge large pieces of rock, which are then removed and checked for fossil remains. Dinosaur Cove, near Cape Otway in southern Australia, is the world's first mine developed specifically for paleo-ontological excavations. MODEL RELEASED [1989]](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I0000gSV4K3.TPJA/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I0000gSV4K3.TPJA.jpg)
![Fossil mining. Research team members at Dinosaur Cove pin steel reinforcing mesh to the wall of their mine with long expansion bolts driven in by a jackhammer. Dinosaur Cove is situated near Cape Otway in southern Australia. Dinosaur Cove is the world's first mine developed specifically for paleontology, normally the scientists rely on commercial mining to make the excavations. The site is of particular interest as the fossils found date from about 100 million years ago, when Australia was much closer to the South Pole than today [1989].](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I0000R_8A118OA6k/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I0000R_8A118OA6k.jpg)
![Nick Van Klavern, member of the Dinosaur Cove excavation team, remove a fossil with a rock saw. Cape Otway, southern Australia. Dinosaur Cove is the world's first mine developed specifically for paleontology, normally the scientists rely on commercial mining to make the excavations. The site is of particular interest as the fossils found date from about 100 million years ago, when Australia was much closer to the South Pole than today. MODEL RELEASED [1989]](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I0000ZOr.kDv1f8o/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I0000ZOr.kDv1f8o.jpg)
![A mining engineer sets off an explosive charge deep inside a mine. The explosives dislodge large pieces of rock from the working face of the mine. When the dust has settled, these rocks are removed and checked for fossil remains. Dinosaur Cove is the world's first mine developed specifically for paleontology, normally the scientists rely on commercial mining to make the excavations. The site is of particular interest as the fossils found date from about 100 million years ago, when Australia was much closer to the South Pole than today. [1989].](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I0000Z9zzn2Rjwkw/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I0000Z9zzn2Rjwkw.jpg)
![Rebecca Norton, an experienced miner, sets dynamite charges. Cape Otway, southern Australia. Dinosaur Cove is the world's first mine developed specifically for paleontology, normally the scientists rely on commercial mining to make the excavations. The site is of particular interest as the fossils found date from about 100 million years ago, when Australia was much closer to the South Pole than today. MODEL RELEASED [1989]](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I0000.r1BLrzxqEQ/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I0000.r1BLrzxqEQ.jpg)
![The Southern Ocean seen from Dinosaur Cove, near Cape Otway in southern Australia. Dinosaur Cove is the world's first mine developed specifically for paleontology, normally the scientists rely on commercial mining to make the excavations. The site is of particular interest as the fossils found date from about 100 million years ago, when Australia was much closer to the South Pole than today. [1989]](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I0000LTjpzCi07x8/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I0000LTjpzCi07x8.jpg)
![Rainbow at sunrise as seen from camp at Dinosaur Cove, Cape Otway, southern Australia. Dinosaur Cove is the world's first mine developed specifically for paleontology - normally the scientists rely on commercial mining to make the excavations. The site is of particular interest as the fossils found date from about 100 million years ago, when Australia was much closer to the South Pole than today. [1989]](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I0000pTsEZv3uCmQ/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I0000pTsEZv3uCmQ.jpg)
![Double rainbows at dawn as students from Oregon State University arrive at camp at Dinosaur Cove, Cape Otway, southern Australia. Dinosaur Cove is the world's first mine developed specifically for paleontology, normally the scientists rely on commercial mining to make the excavations. The site is of particular interest as the fossils found date from about 100 million years ago, when Australia was much closer to the South Pole than today. [1989]](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I0000Enk_lu_Z1mw/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I0000Enk_lu_Z1mw.jpg)
![Antipodean dinosaur hunting. Paleontologist Tom Rich holds the skull (in his right hand) and part of the tail of a fossil hypsolophodontid. This was a small dinosaur, about the size of a large chicken, living in the Cretaceous Period about 100 million years BP (before present). The specimen was found at Dinosaur Cove, southern Australia. Examination of the skull indicates that the creature had a large cerebral optic lobe, which suggests that it had some capacity for adapting to darkness. This becomes relevant when considering that it would have lived between 65 and 80 degrees south latitude, and would therefore have had to endure some length of permanent night in winter. Dinosaur Cove is the world's first mine developed specifically for paleontology ?normally the scientists rely on commercial mining to make the excavations. The site is of particular interest as the fossils found date from about 100 million years ago, when Australia was much closer to the South Pole than today. MODEL RELEASED [1989]](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I0000RrAmJR_KUdI/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I0000RrAmJR_KUdI.jpg)
![Paleontologist Tom Rich hold fossil skull of leaellynosaurus (named for Leaellyn Rich) in the mine tunnel where it was found at Dinosaur Cove, Cape Otway, southern Australia. Dinosaur Cove is the world's first mine developed specifically for paleontology ?normally the scientists rely on commercial mining to make the excavations. The site is of particular interest as the fossils found date from about 100 million years ago, when Australia was much closer to the South Pole than today. MODEL RELEASED [1989]](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I0000YEEINWRM_Iw/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I0000YEEINWRM_Iw.jpg)
![Leaellyn Rich holds the skull of dinosaur named after her in the mine tunnel where it was found in Dinosaur Cove, Cape Otway, Southern Australia. Dinosaur Cove is the world's first mine developed specifically for paleontology, normally the scientists rely on commercial mining to make the excavations. The site is of particular interest as the fossils found date from about 100 million years ago, when Australia was much closer to the South Pole than today. MODEL RELEASED [1989]](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I0000rt2Fm1FcIf4/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I0000rt2Fm1FcIf4.jpg)
![Paleontologists Tom and Pat Rich relax with their family at Dinosaur Cove camp near Cape Otway, southern Australia. Dinosaur Cove is the world's first mine developed specifically for paleontology, normally the scientists rely on commercial mining to make the excavations. The site is of particular interest as the fossils found date from about 100 million years ago, when Australia was much closer to the South Pole than today. MODEL RELEASED [1989].](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I0000lwK06k6Jr0Y/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I0000lwK06k6Jr0Y.jpg)
![Dinosaur Cove excavation team members (Ravile Atlas, Nick Van Klavern & Helen Wilson) relax at Johanna Beach on their day off. Near Cape Otway, southern Australia. Dinosaur cove is the world's first mine developed specifically for paleontology - normally the scientists rely on commercial mining to make the excavations. The site is of particular interest as the fossils found date from about 100 million years ago, when Australia was much closer to the South Pole than today. MODEL RELEASED [1989]](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I0000WbV3Hwqa0nI/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I0000WbV3Hwqa0nI.jpg)
![Lightning bolt across the sky from an approaching afternoon thunderstorm, seen from camp at Dinosaur Cove, Cape Otway, Southern Australia. Dinosaur Cove is the world's first mine developed specifically for paleontology - normally the scientists rely on commercial mining to make the excavations. The site is of particular interest as the fossils found date from about 100 million years ago, when Australia was much closer to the South Pole than today. [1989]](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I0000fm9e8Iic.W0/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I0000fm9e8Iic.W0.jpg)
![Sunrise from camp at Dinosaur Cove, Cape Otway, Southern Australia. Dinosaur Cove is the world's first mine developed specifically for paleontology - normally the scientists rely on commercial mining to make the excavations. The site is of particular interest as the fossils found date from about 100 million years ago, when Australia was much closer to the South Pole than today. [1989]](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I0000jo7xjXSNzt4/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I0000jo7xjXSNzt4.jpg)
![Paleontologists reconstruct the skeleton of a plesiosaur from fossil remain. The pinkish color of the 'bones' shows that they have been opalized, the original bone material replaced with opal (hydrous silicon oxide) to form the permanent fossil. The fossil is about 120 million years old, and was found at Coober Pedy in Australia. The plesiosaur was a marine carnivorous dinosaur, which thrived, in the mid to late Cretaceous Period. Photographed at the Sydney Museum, Australia. [1989]](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I0000cLC_oaVpDek/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I0000cLC_oaVpDek.jpg)
![Paleontologists reconstruct the skeleton of a plesiosaur from fossil remain. The pinkish color of the 'bones' shows that they have been opalized, the original bone material replaced with opal (hydrous silicon oxide) to form the permanent fossil. The fossil is about 120 million years old, and was found at Coober Pedy in Australia. The plesiosaur was a marine carnivorous dinosaur that thrived in the mid to late Cretaceous Period. Photographed at the Sydney Museum, Australia. [1989]](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I0000ALxm4onvX74/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I0000ALxm4onvX74.jpg)
![Jennifer Mason & Barbara Wagstaff perform fossilized pollen research at Monash University, Melbourne, Australia MODEL RELEASED [1989]](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I0000WoP_HZyUUPo/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I0000WoP_HZyUUPo.jpg)
![A fossilized dinosaur limb bone is prepared in the paleontology laboratory of Monash University, Australia by Leslie Kool. Preparation involves the removal of the fossil from the rock matrix, in which it is embedded, using a fine-tipped drill. Fossils are normally removed from the field with a substantial portion of rock or plaster around them. This allows the removal to be performed slowly and carefully, avoiding damage to the sample, and any required preservation work to be made. This fossil was found near Dinosaur Cove in southern Australia, the first mining operation specifically for the purpose of fossil hunting. MODEL RELEASED [1989]](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I00000WshKBxLVA8/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I00000WshKBxLVA8.jpg)
![A fossilized dinosaur limb bone is prepared in the paleontology laboratory of Monash University, Australia by Leslie Kool. Preparation involves the removal of the fossil from the rock matrix, in which it is embedded, using a fine-tipped drill. Fossils are normally removed from the field with a substantial portion of rock or plaster around them. This allows the removal to be performed slowly and carefully, avoiding damage to the sample, and any required preservation work to be made. This fossil was found near Dinosaur Cove in southern Australia, the first mining operation specifically for the purpose of fossil hunting. [1989].](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I0000wjhthQ4abYc/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I0000wjhthQ4abYc.jpg)
![Robert T. Gregory of Monash University in Melbourne, Australia performs oxygen isotope ratio research on Australian dinosaur bone fragments found at a research dig at Dinosaur Cove on Cape Otway, Australia. MODEL RELEASED [1989]](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I0000cLaspp8eKkA/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I0000cLaspp8eKkA.jpg)
![Les Price, opal miner, above mineshaft with dinosaur footprints at Lightning Ridge, Australia. Dinosaur footprints are preserved when the damp surface material (clay or sand) is baked for a long period by the Sun, as at the beginning of a drought. When the overlying water eventually returns, it carries sediments which fill in the footprints, but which are of a different composition to the underlying rock. Here, the excavation of the mine has removed this lower layer (the original 'surface'), leaving the cast of the footprint visible, although it is debatable whether the miner's tools shaped the rock into the shape of a footprint. MODEL RELEASED [1989]](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I0000SrJd5y0rjmI/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I0000SrJd5y0rjmI.jpg)
![Dubious dinosaur footprint. Les Price, an opal mineworker examines the cast of a dinosaur footprint in the roof of an opal mine, which he excavated. Dinosaur footprints are preserved when the damp surface material (clay or sand) is baked for a long period by the sun, as at the beginning of a drought. When the overlying water eventually returns, it carries sediments which fill in the footprints, but which are of a different composition to the underlying rock. Here, the excavation of the mine has removed this lower layer (the original 'surface'), leaving the cast of the footprint visible, although it is debatable whether the miner's tools shaped the rock into the shape of a footprint. Photographed at Lightning Ridge, southern Australia. MODEL RELEASED [1989].](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I0000LEht1K.HGbU/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I0000LEht1K.HGbU.jpg)
![Hunting for fossils: Mine owner Bob Foster displays fossil dinosaur remains found in an opal mine at "he Sheepyards" mine area of Lightning Ridge, southern Australia. Fossil excavations usually follow existing mining operations. The seam of opal-bearing rock is about 100-120 million years old, laid down during the mid-Cretaceous Period, a time of rich diversification of dinosaur species. Australian fossils are particularly interesting, as at that time the continent was much closer to the South Pole than today. This means that many dinosaurs would have had to cope with long periods of permanent darkness during the winter months. MODEL RELEASED [1989].](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I00008gAF81RDTgY/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I00008gAF81RDTgY.jpg)
![Hunting for fossils: Mine owner Bob Foster displays fossil dinosaur remains found in an opal mine at "the Sheepyards" mine area Lightning Ridge, southern Australia. Fossil excavations usually follow existing mining operations. The seam of opal-bearing rock is about 100-120 million years old, laid down during the mid-Cretaceous Period, a time of rich diversification of dinosaur species. Australian fossils are particularly interesting, as at that time the continent was much closer to the South Pole than today. This means that many dinosaurs would have had to cope with long periods of permanent darkness during the winter months. MODEL RELEASED [1989].](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I0000Ocn3s4vMSXQ/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I0000Ocn3s4vMSXQ.jpg)
![Opalized fossil remains of the stomach of a plesiosaur. The stomach contents have been fossilized by replacement of the organic matter with tiny spheres of hydrous silicon oxide (opal). This allows paleontologists to study the diet of this marine dinosaur. As well as providing insights into its feeding habits, the stomach contents may give valuable clues as to the climate in the region in which the dinosaur lived some 120 million years ago. This specimen was found in Australia and is kept at the Sydney Museum. [1989].](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I0000iVvrd32Jx14/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I0000iVvrd32Jx14.jpg)
![Part of a fossilized skeleton of a plesiosaur. The slightly lustrous quality of the 'bones' shows that they have been opalized - the original bone material replaced with opal (hydrous silicon oxide) to form the permanent fossil. The fossil is about 120 million years old, and was found in Australia. The plesiosaur was a marine carnivorous dinosaur that thrived in the mid to late Cretaceous Period. Photographed at a duty-free shop in Sydney, Australia. [1989].](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I0000XMinXgDB2Vg/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I0000XMinXgDB2Vg.jpg)
![Museum visitors watch an animated model of a bipedal dinosaur Ceratosaurus sp. This life- sized model was based on fossil remains and comparative anatomy - enabling the stance and overall shape of the dinosaur to be inferred. The model is jointed to allow some degree of movement. Canberra Science Museum, Australia. [1989].](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I0000p0LA3E.ZV6Y/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I0000p0LA3E.ZV6Y.jpg)
![View of an animated model of a bipedal carnivorous dinosaur Allosaurus sp. This life-sized model was based on fossil remains and comparative anatomy - enabling the stance and overall shape of the dinosaur to be inferred. The model is jointed to allow some degree of movement. Photographed at the Canberra Science Museum, Australia. [1989].](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I0000WKzTDW6njGI/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I0000WKzTDW6njGI.jpg)
![Coober Pedy Opal Mine, Southern Australia. Opal is a form of hydrous silicon oxide. The stones are conglomerates of microscopic spherical particles - opal is never found as a true crystal. The blue/green and dark blue forms seen here are considered to be precious. Opal has a beautiful colored luster due to the varied dispersion of light from its structure. Opal may also be seen in fossils, where it replaces the organic matter (especially bones) in buried remains. [1989]](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I0000fCAZROH9VjM/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I0000fCAZROH9VjM.jpg)
![An opal miner displays a handful of opals. Opal is a form of hydrous silicon oxide. The stones are conglomerates of microscopic spherical particles - opal is never found as a true crystal. The blue/green and dark blue forms seen here are considered to be precious. Opal has a beautiful colored luster due to the varied dispersion of light from its structure. Opal may also be seen in fossils, where it replaces the organic matter (especially bones) in buried remains. These stones were photographed at Lightning Ridge in Australia, the world's most important source of precious opal. [1989].](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I0000PPWZw06rSaU/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I0000PPWZw06rSaU.jpg)
![Peter Menzel, self-portrait, at dawn in sleeping bag in seaside cave at Dinosaur Cove, Cape Otway, southern Australia. Dinosaur cove is the world's first mine developed specifically for paleontology - normally the scientists rely on commercial mining to make the excavations. The site is of particular interest as the fossils found date from about 100 million years ago, when Australia was much closer to the South Pole than today. MODEL RELEASED [1989]](https://www.menzelphoto.com/img-get2/I0000qS6sgkV3DDc/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000CBy8W3MfJgA/I0000qS6sgkV3DDc.jpg)