Photo of the Day #83: Tyrannosaurus rex

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As much as I love the mount of Barnum Brown's famous Tyrannosaurus skeleton at the AMNH, one of my absolute favorite reconstructions is the one pictured above from the Maryland Science Museum in Baltimore. While many Tyrannosaurus mounts have their heads high up in the air, perhaps even with jaws agape looking down at visitors, this skeleton's skull is close to the ground and allows for an excellent look at the marvelous osteology of the great head of this dinosaur (as well as giving me the impression that the skeleton is just as curious about me as I am about it, were it alive that is).

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It also gives a nice "you're about to be eaten" simulation.

When I was a little kid, I was lucky enough to live near the Smithsonian in DC. My favorite part was (duh!) the hall of dinosaurs. I have a great picture of me at three years old standing by the T. rex skull. I loved that. If I had seen the whole thing like in that photo, I probably would have needed new underwear.

That is a fantastic mount. It really does look (as jeffk said) as if the photographer (and I assume viewer) is about to be eaten.

Run away! It's the Black Beast of Aaaarggghhh!!!