Photos - Part 7

20 03, 2023

Stunning Sinosauropteryx Wedding Guests

By Mike|2024-01-02T16:09:09+00:00March 20th, 2023|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Photos, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products, Press Releases|0 Comments

In January, Everything Dinosaur received an order for two PNSO Sinosauropteryx models. These are popular prehistoric animal figures but we did contact Claire, the customer, just to check that they had not purchased an additional figure in error. Claire replied to our email and reassured us stating:

“Thank you for emailing! No, the purchase of a second PNSO Sinosauropteryx figure was not a mistake. My fiancé and I are planning to use them as cake toppers for our wedding.”

Intrigued, we asked Claire would it be possible for her to send us a picture of her dinosaur themed wedding cake.

Sure, enough over the weekend we were sent a photograph of the fabulous cake.

Picture credit: Claire

PNSO Sinosauropteryx Wedding Guests

What a spectacular wedding cake. Even the two PNSO Sinosauropteryx models have been dressed up for the occasion. The cake looks beautiful, and we love the little flourishes such as the ammonite fossils on the side and the cascading waterfall made from blue icing.

Cutting the dinosaur themed wedding cake. — *Claire and her husband Bradley cutting the dinosaur themed wedding cake. Picture credit Claire.*

Picture credit: Claire

We at Everything Dinosaur would like congratulate the happy couple. We wish Claire and Bradley every success and happiness as they build their new lives together.

To view the Sinosauropteryx figures that featured on the wedding cake and the rest of the PNSO prehistoric animal replicas: PNSO Age of Dinosaurs.

13 03, 2023

A Splendid Straight-shelled Nautiloid Pictured

By Mike|2024-01-02T16:11:19+00:00March 13th, 2023|Adobe CS5, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Palaeontological articles, Photos, Teaching|0 Comments

The Silurian is a relatively short geological time period when compared to the other periods outlined in the geological time scale. The Silurian lasted around twenty-five million years (444 million years ago to approximately 419 million years ago). Although it was brief, in relative terms, during the Silurian the first land plants evolved and many invertebrate forms began to make the transition to a terrestrial habit. Life in the seas still dominated the Earth’s biota. One of the apex, marine predators was the straight-shelled nautiloid. Some of these orthocones evolved into giants.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Straight-shelled Nautiloid

During the Silurian most of the nautiloid cephalopods had straight or slightly curved shells. The planispiral forms had yet to become common. The last straight-shelled forms (Orthocerida), probably died out during the Mesozoic. Most straight-shelled nautiloids became extinct at the end of the Triassic, but one fossil specimen collected in the Caucasus (Zhuravlevia insperata), indicates that one species persisted into the Early Cretaceous.

Orthocone/Orthoceras scale drawing. — *An early scale drawing design for the Orthoceras/Orthocone fact sheet. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Zhuravlevia insperata

Described in 1994 by Larisa Doguzhaeva of the Swedish Museum of Natural History, based on a fragmentary orthocerid fossil, Zhuravlevia insperata is the geologically youngest straight-shelled orthocone known to science. The tiny fossil, just 1.3 cm long, with four chambers preserved, was found when Aptian-aged concretions from the Hokodz River Basin in the north-western Caucasus (Russia), were being split.

The orthocone fragment would be around 120 million years old.

CollectA introduced an Orthocone replica in 2020. The figure was added to the Age of Dinosaurs Popular range.

To view the invertebrate figures in the CollectA not-to-scale range including (whilst stocks last), Orthoceras: CollectA Age of Dinosaurs Popular Range.

12 03, 2023

The Sixth Batch of Frogspawn Spotted in Pond

By Mike|2024-03-09T15:58:59+00:00March 12th, 2023|Animal News Stories, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Main Page, Photos, Press Releases|0 Comments

Everything Dinosaur team members have recorded the sixth batch of frogspawn in the office pond. The recent cold snap has ended and the wetter and milder weather may have encouraged more frogs to spawn. A sixth batch of frogspawn was observed early this morning. We suspect that it had been laid last night or in the early hours of the morning.

Common Frogs

At least one Common frog (Rana temporaria) is still in the pond. The frog has a bright white throat patch so, we suspect that this is a male. Team members will continue to monitor the pond to see if more frogspawn is laid. Frog numbers have declined in recent years. Five years ago, as many as a dozen frogs could be seen in the pond during the spawning season. Hopefully, our small pond will continue to support a frog population, attract other wildlife and provide a bathing area for nesting birds.

Visit Everything Dinosaur’s website: Dinosaur Models, Prehistoric Plus and Dinosaur Toys.

10 03, 2023

The Gorgeous CollectA Trilobite Model

By Mike|2024-01-02T16:12:44+00:00March 10th, 2023|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Photos|0 Comments

Everything Dinosaur team members received a request from a prehistoric animal model collector for more information about the invertebrate replicas included within the CollectA Age of Dinosaurs Popular model range. As always we were happy to oblige and emailed over further information, including some pictures of the CollectA trilobite model.

CollectA Redlichia rex trilobite. "First Life" — *CollectA Redlichia rex trilobite model.*

CollectA Age of Dinosaurs Popular Models

Over recent years, the design team at CollectA have added several replicas of extinct, iconic prehistoric invertebrates to their Age of Dinosaurs Popular range. For example, in 2020 CollectA added a trilobite replica to their product portfolio, a replica of the large, predatory trilobite called Redlichia rex.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

CollectA Trilobite Model

Team members were happy to send over the additional information as requested. We are always pleased to hear from fellow model and figure collectors.

To view the CollectA range of not-to-scale prehistoric animal figures: CollectA Prehistoric Life/Age of Dinosaurs Models.

9 03, 2023

Frogspawn in the Office Pond

By Mike|2023-03-09T09:41:39+00:00March 9th, 2023|Animal News Stories, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Main Page, Photos, Press Releases|0 Comments

The fifth batch of frogspawn has been spotted in the office pond. The fresh spawn was spotted yesterday morning (8th March, 2023). Despite the wintry weather, with air temperatures dropping to near zero the frogs have continued to spawn. The night was cold and a small amount of ice formed over the pond. Team members will continue to monitor the office pond frogspawn.

The frogs (Common frogs), seem undeterred and have continued their spawning.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Frogspawn in the Office Pond

The first frogspawn was observed on the morning of the 28th of February. This is the earliest date in the year that we have seen frogspawn. Over the years, the date of the Common frogs (Rana temporaria) spawning has got earlier and earlier. A decade ago, frogspawn was normally observed around the third week of March. In 2022, frogs spawned on the 2nd of March. Our monitoring of the spawning dates suggests that the trend is for the frogs to breed earlier each year. Perhaps this is indicative of climate change and global warming.

To read more about Everything Dinosaur’s frogspawn observations: Frogspawn Spotted in the Office Pond (2023).

Office Pond Frogspawn

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur, took a break from packing dinosaur and prehistoric animal themed orders for customers and stated:

“We try not to disturb the pond too much. However, we like to monitor the frogs to make sure all is well. As cold weather is forecast for the next two to three days, we have gently and carefully moved the spawn into deeper water to give the eggs some protection from the forecast cold snap.”

Potentially Delayed Hatching

The unseasonably cold temperatures with widespread snow likely to fall across the north-west of England could delay the hatching of the eggs. Everything Dinosaur team members think that the rate of development of the tadpoles is influenced by the water temperature. The pond water is likely to remain very cold for at least the next few days. This cold weather may slow the rate of hatching.

Team members promise to keep observing and taking steps to make sure that the pond wildlife is safe.

Visit Everything Dinosaur’s award-winning website: Everything Dinosaur.

2 03, 2023

Ancient Sea Reptiles a New Book Review

By Mike|2024-01-02T16:15:33+00:00March 2nd, 2023|Adobe CS5, Book Reviews, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Photos, Press Releases|0 Comments

To coincide with World Book Day (2nd March, 2023), here is Everything Dinosaur’s review of “Ancient Sea Reptiles” by Darren Naish. We have had an inspection copy of this eagerly awaited publication for a few weeks, and now that the book is officially available, we thought it an opportune moment to post up our thoughts and comments.

Ancient Sea Reptiles

Dr Naish provides a comprehensive overview of Mesozoic marine reptiles. These denizens of the deep are in safe hands as the accomplished author guides readers through their evolutionary history before going on to dedicate individual chapters to each of the main marine reptile groups.

The Dinosauria may have dominated terrestrial environments. This carefully crafted and beautifully illustrated book leaves the reader in no doubt as to the majesty and variety of reptiles that thrived in the Mesozoic seas.

A less confident writer might have struggled to provide an overview of the anatomy of this extremely diverse group of marine adapted reptiles. Sea turtles, shark-shaped reptiles, plesiosaurs, thalattosuchians and mosasaurs are all tackled with aplomb, and the evolutionary changes required to adapt to an aquatic lifestyle are reviewed in a single compendious chapter. For example, the function of the plesiosaur’s neck is explained and the likely swimming styles of various body plans is clearly elucidated through the skilful use of descriptive text.

Exquisite Photography

Photographs of important fossil discoveries are included along with detailed and informative notes. A glossary is also provided to assist readers with terminology. Some of the lesser-known Mesozoic marine reptiles such as the Triassic sauropterygians, Cretaceous sea snakes and the mesosaurs – the world’s first aquatic reptiles, have their own dedicated chapter.

*The paddle bone of a leptonectid ichthyosaur.*

Stunning Artwork and Life Reconstructions

“Ancient Sea Reptiles” is richly illustrated with striking specimens and life reconstructions from many highly respected palaeoartists. The author also contributes to the illustrations providing drawings and cladograms.

Ancient Sea Reptiles - the author provides many of the cladograms and animal illustrations. — *The author provides many of the cladograms and prehistoric animal illustrations.*

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur praised the book and commented:

“This is an extensively researched and most informative volume written in an easy to understand language that will please the academic and general reader alike. Ancient Sea Reptiles is highly recommended.”

To purchase Ancient Sea Reptiles by Darren Naish, visit the publisher’s website and search for either the book title or the author: Visit the Publisher’s Website.

28 02, 2023

Frogspawn in the Office Pond

By Mike|2023-02-28T10:53:58+00:00February 28th, 2023|Animal News Stories, Educational Activities, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Main Page, Photos|0 Comments

We have frogspawn in the office pond. This morning (February 28th, 2023), the first batch of frogspawn was spotted in the Everything Dinosaur office pond. The eggs had probably been laid just a few hours earlier in the very early morning. It had rained in the night and there was extensive cloud cover. The night had been chilly with temperatures around 4 degrees Celsius, what would normally be expected in our area at the end of February.

This is the first time that we have recorded frogspawn in February.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Frogspawn in February

We have not recorded frogspawn in the office pond being laid in February before. Last year, we recorded the first frogspawn on March 2nd, this was the earliest we had recorded spawn, until a new record for early spawning was set this year.

Over the last few years, Everything Dinosaur team members have noted the date of the first frogspawn being laid. The trend is for the frogs (Rana temporaria) to spawn earlier each year. Is this caused by the impact of global climate change?

Earliest recorded spawning dates for Common frogs in the office pond:

February 28th 2023
March 2nd 2022
March 11th 2021
March 20th 2020
March 22nd 2019
March 17th 2018
March 11th 2017
March 20th 2016
March 12th 2015

Other dates when we have recorded the first frogspawn in a year:

March 19th 2013, March 11th 2012, March 18th 2011 and the first ever frogspawn in the office pond was laid on March 16th 2008.

15 01, 2023

New Prehistoric Times Magazine (Issue 144)

By Mike|2024-01-01T16:10:12+00:00January 15th, 2023|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Magazine Reviews, Main Page, Photos, Prehistoric Times|0 Comments

The next edition of “Prehistoric Times” magazine (issue 144) is on its way and should be with readers in a couple of weeks. Our thanks to magazine editor Mike Fredericks who sent into Everything Dinosaur a preview of the front cover artwork which was created by Daniel Navarro, a very talented artist from Spain.

“Prehistoric Times”

We are reliably informed that this issue (winter 2023), will feature an interview with the Canadian palaeoartist Julius Csotonyi. We suspect that the interview will feature his new book “Dinosaur World”, a publication eagerly anticipated by fans of his artwork as it includes over 1,200 different dinosaur illustrations. Fans of palaeoart on this side of the Atlantic get to hear from John Conway about his latest projects including his own book, which is due out shortly entitled “A History of Painting (with Dinosaurs)”.

Visit the “Prehistoric Times” website to subscribe to this quarterly magazine: “Prehistoric Times”.

Featured Prehistoric Animals

The featured prehistoric animals in issue 144 are the Chinese early tyrannosauroid Dilong and the biggest snake known to science – Titanoboa. Readers can expect to see lots of amazing artwork.

The Titanoboa illustration (above) was commissioned by Everything Dinosaur so that the UK-based company could produce a scale drawing of the giant prehistoric snake for the fact sheet that was despatched with Rebor Titanoboa figures.

To view the range of Rebor models including museum class Titanoboa maquettes (whilst stocks last): Rebor Models and Figures.

12 01, 2023

“Two Acres of Time”

By Mike|2023-01-14T19:16:15+00:00January 12th, 2023|Book Reviews, Main Page, Photos|0 Comments

Everything Dinosaur received this week a copy of “Two Acres of Time” by Richard S. Laub, the former curator of geology at the Buffalo Museum of Science (New York). The book documents the remarkable Pleistocene fossil and archaeological deposit preserved at Byron (Genesee County in New York State).

“Two Acres of Time”

The location formally owned by the Hiscock family (the fossil quarry is often referred to as the Hiscock site), preserves evidence of mastodon elephants as well as flint tools from humans that were present in this area around 10,000 years ago. The book tells the story of the fossil and archaeological excavations and highlights the remarkable dedication and enthusiasm of the hundreds of volunteers that have worked to uncover the fossils and other artefacts from this unique location.

Published by Columbia University Press, this book explains how scientists explore, investigate, excavate and preserve evidence of ancient landscapes and the animals and people that lived in them.

Aimed at students, academics as well as the general reader, team members at Everything Dinosaur are looking forward to reading this recently published book.

To find this book visit the Columbia University Press website and search under the author Richard S. Laub or alternatively, under the book title “Two Acres of Time”.

The Columbia University Press website: Columbia University Press.

7 01, 2023

Have a Roarsome Day Spotting Something Fun!

By Mike|2024-01-02T14:03:13+00:00January 7th, 2023|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Photos|0 Comments

Whilst out of the office for a few hours, taking a break from picking and packing parcels for customers, a team member at Everything Dinosaur spotted a trio of cheerful dinosaurs on a gift bag. The three dinosaurs were off to a party and they were hoping that everyone was going to have a roarsome day!

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Have a Roarsome Day!

It is not often we come across an image of a blue Triceratops riding a skateboard, or an orange Tyrannosaurus rex wearing a paper hat. Indeed, we do not often see images of sauropod dinosaurs with balloons tied around their long necks.

Whilst the colouration of the non-avian Dinosauria remains a hotly debated topic amongst palaeontologists, we are quite confident that skateboarding, playing with balloons and wearing paper hats were not behaviours that dinosaurs indulged in. Perhaps, there is a remarkable fossil somewhere just waiting to be found that will challenge our assertions.

For models and replicas of dinosaurs, prehistoric animal themed toys and games, but no skateboards, take a look at Everything Dinosaur’s user-friendly and award-winning website: Everything Dinosaur.