Paleobiologist Dr. Nicholas Pyenson, Curator of Fossil Marine Mammals for the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, has packed his bags for an expedition to Panama to excavate a fossil described as a "shark-toothed dolphin" discovered by an undergraduate student working with Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) researcher Aaron O'Dea.

Seen here are some of Nick's essentials for the expedition, including field pants, walkie talkies, bandanas and hat, pocket knives, field notebook, rock hammer, GPS, plaster, and (undissolved) glue. (How many can you spot in the picture?). Learn more about Nick's Expedition to Excavate a Fossil Whale in the Ocean Portal Paleobiology Blog.