Pterosaur carving

[J Norton]

I have started a new carving project, which was prompted by my recent carving of the bird ancestor Archaeopteryx. This is another extinct flying vertebrate, a small pterosaur, or flying reptile. These creatures varied in size from a sparrow to a small plane, and were very successful over millions of years until birds arrived on the scene. I am basing the carving on a fossil reproduction, as I did with Archaeopteryx. The pterosaur I am trying to reproduce has a wingspan of about 15 inches, has a thin wing membrane supported by a really long finger, and a head that is very large compared to the body. Strange-looking creature. I cut out and assembled three pieces - two wings and a body - glued them together, and began shaping. My progress so far can be seen in the attached photos. I will post updates as the project proceeds.

james

FAB415A6-0655-4BFD-98AA-7C4E37B89154.jpeg 981BD11B-B64E-496D-A8A4-076CBE4B8E19.jpeg

[sappy]

A little pterodactyl? This will be fun to follow.

[Nebraska]

Another cool project!

[Merle Rice]

Hi James , Looks like you got a Good Start for our next Trip with you in your next Carving Adventure . Merle

[J Norton]

Thanks, guys, I will keep you all posted!

[woodburner807]

Great and interesting carving niche. Very interesting!

[Brian T]

Reminds me of those old "lawn darts." Thanks, I did not know that there were small species. I thought they were all the size of a Cessna. Any ideas for color or is that too soon?

[joepaulbutler]

Boy, you're off to a good start

[Claude]

Looking good, James. I am impressed by all the research you need to put in for this critters. Carving is great, too!

Claude

[Eric B]

Loving it!

Very good work clean and precise please show more of your dino's!!

[J Norton]

Thanks for all the comments! Regarding the coloration: many depictions I have seen show pterosaurs with “shorebird” coloring - white belly, grey backs and wings with black highlights, yellow or orange beaks, etc. I may paint this carving that way. At a distance, a small pterosaur with this coloration would resemble a tern, a larger one might look like a white pelican. I want these carvings of extinct creatures to look plausible, so a familiar color scheme would probably be best.

[Brian T]

Thank you. Your suggestion of "shore bird" coloring makes good sense.

[Arthur C.]

That should be another home run, James. Can we call him Pterry for short?

[J Norton]

I had referred to him as “Terry”, but “Pterry” is surely more true to the Greek!

[Glenn Jennings]

Really looking forward to following this piece . Your last one was awesome.