Over the course of the past year I've had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of many paleontologists and illustrators of prehistoric life, people who have helped me with their comments, criticism, and support. One such person whose work I admire is Matt Celeskey, the artist (and blogger) behind the Hairy Museum of Natural History.
A few months ago I asked Matt to come up with a brand new banner for this blog, something unique that would capture the character of Laelaps. Although I gave Matt some initial direction, that I wanted an articulated skeleton Dryptosaurus (previously known as "Laelaps" until it was discovered that a mite had already been given that name) based upon the fragmentary remains currently known and Appalachiosaurus to help fill in the gaps, Matt really took my idea and ran with it. Where did the colors come from? If you ever sift through the green muck of the marl pits of southern New Jersey you'll see that many of the vertebrate bones are a golden brown color, standing out against the blue, green, and black of their entombing sediment. I absolutely love it, and I hope you do, too.
(I do want to keep the old banners in circulation, though, and I'm still working out how to get a rotating banner working without crashing the blog. Hopefully I'll be successful soon.)
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I love it. It's gorgeous!
Awesomeness! I love it! And where's Matt been lately?
Awesome banner cubed!!!
full disclosure: not a fan of the old ones as much because that artwork is on a bajillion puzzles in my house...
I'm jealous. I have to do my own banners...
I like how it sticks out of the top ... very cool.
It took me a while to read this post because I had to pause and admire the new banner... then I realized the post was about the new banner.
It's perfect.
@John: You don't have to. A few of the other bloggers have put out requests for banners. Mind you, not all of them got bites, but if you try to get some made you have a better chance of getting some made.
I loved the old banner(s), too (always a fan of beautiful paintings, in particular those of dinosaurs), but this new one is great! The information makes it even better - and I agree that the top of the skull extending above the rest of the banner is a great touch.
nd I'm still working out how to get a rotating banner working without crashing the blog.
should be easy with javascript.
Astonishing!
Great banner!
I'm trying to create a good permanent banner for my blog
but this doesn't sound too easy (for me, at least).
Yours is "excellence".
"Sursum corda", Matt Celeskey!
http://geomythology.blogspot.com/
Brilliant!
Terrifically rendered. The stone and texture of the bones give it a look of being in-relief, like you could run your fingers over it.
I also enjoy how is is about to chomp on its old name.
I'll also mention (trying to be helpful not just troll for bizness), that many of the illustrators with a scientific bent are willing and happy to do a banner for a blog, especially if they are one of your regular readers.
Prices for these customised illustrations can be pretty reasonable, too. Make sure the artist gives you a contract, possibly one modified from the Graphic Artists' Guild that is clear to read.
I'm just finishing up another one myself, which will be up in August. The best way to go about it, is to find an artist whose work you enjoy and contact them about it. When Shelley Batts first contacted me about Retrospectacle's, I was thrilled, and it was a lot of fun.
In general, very good. But the thumb of Dryptosaurus is known and is distinct from tyrannosaurids (or near-tyrannosaurids like Appalachiosaurus). In particular, the thumb claw is BIG, even if the humerus is of only tyrannosaurid proportion.
At present, we don't know if Dryptosaurus was tridactyl (like basal tyrannosauroids) or didactyl (like tyrannosaurids).
Not that the old banners were bad, but this one captures the blog perfectly!
Love the new look.
Thanks everyone for the complimentary comments! It was a fun project, and Brian was very helpful with source material and answering questions.
Thomas - I can't believe I overlooked the "eagle claw" of D. aquilunguis. I tweaked the file a bit and just sent a revised version to Brian...the claw may still be a little modest but it should be closer. Kept it didactyl (or perhaps digit III was exposed first and eroded away...)
Thanks for the catch!