Candle in the darkness

Sylveon watercolor #pokemon

Mapusaurus rosa devours Anzu spiraea #paleoart #maysozoic

Thunder, thunder, Thundercats ho! (Raikou) #pokemon #raikou

The finale to Maysozoic is Europasaurus! These island dwelling sauropods would have been quite a sight, as they were incredibly small compared to their gigantic cousins. You could ride this fella like a horse, but should you? #Maysozoic #finale

Day 31. Europasaurus rafflesia Outside of their titanic size, these sauropods weaponize another strength - their stench. Pods can be detected from miles away from their… unique… aroma. #maysozoic #paleoart

Day 30. Tyrannosaurus selenicereus Revered as the “king of fruits”, this Tyrannosaur bears a tough, scaly exterior. Beneath it lies soft, juicy, and seedy flesh that would almost seem delectable enough to venture closer. Almost. #maysozoic #paleoart

Day 30 of Maysozoic is Tyrannosaurus! These mega therapods are well known, and extremely well documented. Appearing frequently in pop culture, T-rex is probably the most recognizable dinosaur. Perhaps they would have liked the spotlight. #Maysozoic

Day 29 is Camptosaurus. With no clear physical defenses, Camptosaurus may have resorted to speed to evade predators. As such, it’s important to slow down and take a moment for yourself sometimes. #Maysozoic

Day 29. Camptosaurus ginkgo In autumn, these plain looking dinosaurs undergo a marvelous transformation - their leaves turn a brilliant yellow, exposing xanthophyll pigments. This change has earned them the nickname “autumn gold”. #maysozoic #paleoart

Day 28 is Deinosuchus! These gigantic crocs would have kept everyone on their toes, or else they may lose them. #Maysozoic

Day 28. Deinosuchus phyllostachys These crocodilians spend much of their time in riverbed mud awaiting a worthy ambush target. Their hides are smooth and woody, often used in decoration, roofing, and other building material as a result. #maysozoic #paleoart

Day 27 is Albertosaurus! While these theropods were quite large they still weren’t nearly as big as their relatives, Tyrannosaurus. In their ecosystems however, they would have been the apex predators. That doesn’t always mean you can leave your guard down. #Maysozoic

Day 27. Albertosaurus beta These chard varieties are extremely hardy, often surviving long into the colder seasons. Many colorful subspecies exist in the wild - leading to colorful, rainbow-chard hunting packs. #maysozoic #paleoart

Day 26. Baryonyx phoeniceae These Spinosaurids thrive in scorchingly humid climates, their leaves providing shade when the temperature gets extreme. Their tough hide is adept at retaining moisture - and doubles as battle armor for territorial disputes. #maysozoic #paleoart

Day 26 is Baryonyx! This dinosaur would have primarily fed on fish, but it has been found with the bones of smaller dinosaurs in its stomach. #Maysozoic

Day 25 is Pentaceratops! These titanic ceratopsians would have been formidable adversaries. Pentaceratops means “five horned face”, which is five more horns than most predators would like to deal with. #Maysozoic

Day 25. Pentaceratops dionaea The various functions of ceratopsian crests have been debated - in this species, however, the primary use-case is clear. They charge horns first, and use their frills to clamp the target tightly, delivering a deeper wound. #maysozoic #paleoart

Day 24 is Ichthyosaurus! Looking at these creatures you would think they were fish, or even dolphins. You would be wrong! These marine animals were actually reptiles. #Maysozoic

Day 24. Icthyosaurus orchidaceae It skims shallow water, with blossoming stems bobbing above the surface. Bright colors put nearby prey at ease - then by instinct, or perhaps at the urging of the plant itself, it lunges forth and devours the unsuspecting. #maysozoic #paleoart

Day 23 is Austroraptor. These dromaeosaurids represent some of the largest raptors discovered. Standing at nearly eye level with a grown man, these predators would have been quite formidable. #Maysozoic

Day 23. Austroraptor cichorium With an almost caramel-like sweetness to its aroma, this cultivar’s scales have been long used in beverage making. Once ground and steeped, the flavor is reminiscent of coffee. #maysozoic #paleoart

Day 22 is Jakapil! These little dinosaurs belong to the group “Thyreophora” which includes dinosaurs like Stegosaurus and Ankylosaurus #Maysozoic

Day 22. Jakapil echeveria Nicknamed ‘parva’ (the Latin for ‘small’), this little dinosaur has a personality that more than compensates. The osteoderms growing along its body have grown spongy and succulent - an apt adaptation for desert living. #maysozoic #paleoart

Day 21 is Elasmosaurus! These large plesiosaurs would have patrolled the waters for prey, using their long necks to confuse schools of fish. #Maysozoic

Day 21. Elasmosaurus heliconia This species was thought to have gone extinct - with the last known sighting in an obscure loch in the Scottish highlands. #maysozoic #paleoart

Day 20 is Lambeosaurus! These hadrosaurs would have been able to move on either 2 or 4 legs. While the function of their crests is debated, it’s possible it was used to resonate sounds to communicate with the herd. #Maysozoic

Day 20. Lambeosaurus dianthus This dinosaur takes the idiom, “you are what you eat”, quite literally! Years of eating plain, woody shrubbery has made its body coloration quite dull - but once a year the carnations along its back bloom in full force. #maysozoic #paleoart

Day 19 is Anzu! This dinosaur represents the only oviraptorosaur found in North America. Discovered in the Hell Creek Formation, this chicken from hell would have been quite intimidating. #Maysozoic

Day 19. Anzu spiraea Its tail-plumes are highly sought after due to their unique, tightly-coiled flower arrangement. Catching one, however, can prove quite the challenge. #maysozoic #paleoart

Day 18 is Postosuchus! These large carnivorous belong to an ancient group of animals that includes modern crocodiles: Pseudosuchia. Perhaps they carried their young the same way. #Maysozoic

Day 18. Postosuchus gloriosa With the appropriate moniker of “fire lillies”, this species of Postosuchus packs a powerful bite. Its jaws contain colchicine venom which has been used to treat some diseases like gout. Overdose though and fatality is certain. #maysozoic #paleoart

Day 17 is Zuul! These ankylosaurs would have enjoyed swampy beaches and forests. And when you’re so heavily fortified, it’s easy to enjoy the scenery.

Day 17. Zuul vaccinium The berries that grow from the shrubs along its back are juicy and succulent. Normally peace-loving, these Ankylosaurs will happily share some of their bounty - but take too many and you might find yourself taking a tail club too. #maysozoic #paleoart

Day 16. Quetzalcoatlus amorphophallus This pterosaur announces its presence with the rank aroma of rotting flesh wafting from its body. Though if you can smell it, it’s probably too late to escape its reach. #maysozoic #paleoart

Day 16 is Quetzalcoatlus! These gigantic pterosaurs would have been terrifying predators. Being able to move on land and in the sky, it’s just a matter of time before they get you. #Maysozoic

Day 15 is Chungkingosaurus! A small dinosaur by stegosaur standards, Chungkingosaurus would still have been a formidable target. #Maysozoic

Day 15. Chungkingosaurus astilbe While its plumes are feathery and fragrant, this stegosaur is still equipped with a deadly thagomizer. #maysozoic #paleoart

Day 14 is Anurognathus! Tiny pterosaurs weighing only a couple ounces, their mouths were full of tiny needle like teeth. While this may have been formidable, they were likely insectivores. #Maysozoic

Day 14. Anurognathus tigridia This variety of Anurognathus exhibits flamboyant courtship displays using its long wings and elongated tail petal. It then lays its bulb-like eggs in the soil - and the cycle begins anew. #maysozoic #paleoart

Day 13 is Mapusaurus! These gigantic predators were the apex of their ecosystems. It’s believed that Mapusaurus may have worked together to bring down titanic sauropods, such as Argentinosaurus. #Maysozoic

Day 13. Mapusaurus rosa Beautiful, and deadly - these theropods hunt in small pods colloquially referred to as bouquets. #maysozoic #paleoart

Day 12. Scleromochlus rudbeckia In the summer, fields can quickly become densely populated with these blossoms. First one, then two, then a dozen - don’t blink, lest you find yourself suddenly surrounded. #maysozoic #paleoart

Day 12 is Scleromochlus! This tiny creature was about 7 inches long, and is believed to be an ancestor to pterosaurs. #Maysozoic

Day 11 is, Kronosaurus! These titanic pliosaurs lived during the early Cretaceous, and would eat anything they could get their teeth on. #Maysozoic

Day 11. Kronosaurus nymphaea These Kronosaurus varieties have been seen floating amidst brackish waters, their bright petals a relief for arthropods and fish seeking shelter - just so long as they don’t get *too close. #maysozoic #paleoart

Day 10 is, Edmontosaurus! These huge dinosaurs were often preyed on by Tyrannosaurus. However, the hunt does not always go as planned #Maysozoic

Day 10. Edmontosaurus aeonium Upon initial inspection, these hadrosaurs appear quite plain. However, there is something entrancing about their sprouting herds - a perpetual constant in the ever-changing, ever-adapting landscape of paleoflora. #maysozoic #paleoart

Time to cool down a bit with Suicune - care for a swim? 🛁 #pokemon #suicune

Day 9 is, Archaeopteryx! This little creature appears to be more bird than dinosaur at first glance. #maysozoic