Blog Carnival #21: Boiling Ostrich Heads, Dinoshoes, Rex Riders and More

Spun Around: Ediacaran displays a fossil of Redlichia takooensis (a large trilobite, around 12 to 14 centimeters in length) suffering from a curious malady: its head is on backwards. The reason? Not demonic possession, but a tragic molting accident.

Top Paleo-Chef: Mike Taylor at SV-POW! demonstrates the art of boiling ostrich heads (all in the name of science, we promise). (Ed. note -- not for the faint-hearted)

I Don’t Know Paleo-art, But I Know What I Like: Over at ART Evolved, illustrator Matt van Rooijen explains why Paleo-art isn’t actually art…and why that’s okay: “A modern Artists' function is to personally comment upon their subject ….for the most part the goal of Paleo-art is to create accurate images which are the depiction of a somewhat removed reality. People talk about accuracy and current understanding of the science as significant criteria, not whether the work will convey the deeper meaning of that science on culture and subjective human existence. (yawn)”

Making Tracks: In the realm of dinosaur-themed fashion, Bob’s Dinosaur Blog gives high marks to 3-D shoes manufactured by Dinosoles: “The tops of these shoes are nicely decorated, but what really sold me are the bottoms, which bear raised imprints of dinosaur feet. In other words, when your toddler runs down the beach wearing Dinosoles, he'll leave convincing-looking dinosaur tracks—which is all the average preschooler can ask.” (Why do they only make the coolest stuff for kids?)

Sing-a-Long: Professor Dave Dolak—who teaches at Chicago’s Columbia College, the alma mater of Love in the Time of Chasmosaurs—has a long list of professional interests, including dinosaur evolution, the physics of string instruments and communicating science to the public. Put them all together, and what do you get? This video of Professor Dave serenading his students about dinosaurs.

Jurassic Rodeo: I09 previews a new kids’ book that “is so blindingly awesome that it almost needs no explanation.” It’s titled Rex Riders, an adventure set in the Old West, where cowboys co-exist with dinosaurs.  Get a first look at the remarkable illustrations, including a triceratops stampede.

An Alternate Theory: Over at the World We Don’t Live In, we find out how the dinosaurs really died. (Hint: It involves shovels.)

Mark Strauss | | READ MORE

Mark Strauss is the Departments Editor at Air & Space magazine.