Those Who Came Before Us

[Lion Spirit Walker]

A thread dedicated to all the species of Life (from any era) that came before the human species. Be it through images or discussions. Simply a place to share in honoring the 'timeless' variety of Life that has been.

[Lion Spirit Walker]

I've always been amazed by Dinosaurs. Since my first collection of small 'drag your tail' dinos that my parents gave me one Christmas during my childhood.
This is and has always been my favorite, the Triceratops...
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http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss70/psy_Michael/triceratops_788_600x450jpg.jpg

[Lion Spirit Walker]

Additional info to the above post...
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Description
Triceratops are estimated to have reached about 7.9 to 9.0 m (26.0–29.5 ft) in length, 2.9 to 3.0 m (9.5–9.8 ft) in height, and 6.1–12.0 tonnes (13,000–26,000 lb) in weight. The most distinctive feature is their large skull, among the largest of all land animals. It could grow to be over 2 m (7 ft) in length, and could reach almost a third of the length of the entire animal. It bore a single horn on the snout, above the nostrils, and a pair of horns approximately 1 m (3 ft) long, with one above each eye. To the rear of the skull was a relatively short, bony frill. Most other ceratopsids had large fenestrae in their frills, while those of triceratops were solid.
note; source information from Wikipedia.

[Lion Spirit Walker]

Amargasuarus...
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http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss70/psy_Michael/amargasaurus1jpg.jpg
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The Amargasuarus is from the early cretaceous period of the area now known as South America. It grew to a length of 10 m/33 ft.

[Kiran]

Ammonites

Ammonites are an extinct group of invertebrate animals. The name ammonite, from which the scientific term is derived, was inspired by the spiral shape of their fossilized shells, which somewhat resemble tightly coiled rams' horns.

http://www.skullsfossilsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/ammonite-ga1.jpg

[Lion Spirit Walker]

Very cool. They almost look like the nautalis genua.
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http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss70/psy_Michael/Nautilusjpg.jpg

[Kiran]

Stunning picture Michael!! And yes they are similar!

[Ryan]

I've always loved dinosaurs as well. These are two of my favorites:

Brachiosaurus brancai (or Giraffatitan brancai ) http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l103/romulus_01/BrachiosaurusBrancai.jpg

Argentinosaurus
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l103/romulus_01/Argentinosaurus.jpg

Though I've never seen a real Brachiosaurus/Giraffatitan or an Argentinosaurus, I've always imagined them as being as graceful and gentle as Elephants (my most beloved creature). If only I could spend even just a few moments with these extinct creatures...

[Lion Spirit Walker]

Ryan, I agree they must have been amazing.

[Narnia]

If only I could spend even just a few moments with these extinct creatures...

I am guessing you have read Jurassic Park ... ?

But really, it is amazing to think of a time when the planet was ruled by Dinosaurs! .... Really makes one wonder.

[Lion Spirit Walker]

The Albertosaurus lived during the late creatacious period in the area now known as north western America. Adults grew to a size of 9-10 metres/30-33 feet.
I wonder if they could be tamed? Would make a cool polo pony...
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http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss70/psy_Michael/albertosaurus1.jpg

[Ryan]

Another one of my most beloved creatures: The Wooly Mammoth.


http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l103/romulus_01/397416-woolly_mammoth.jpg

[Kiran]

Another one of my most beloved creatures: The Wooly Mammoth.


http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l103/romulus_01/397416-woolly_mammoth.jpg

What a beautiful picture Ryan!! You know? Twice I came here to post the mammoth and twice I got distracted!! My pictures were not as gorgeous as this one though :)

[Narnia]

Saber Tooth Tiger.

http://geology.fullerton.edu/whenderson/F2007201/smilodon/images/Smilodon2.jpg

Image Source: http://geology.fullerton.edu/whenderson/F2007201/smilodon/images/Smilodon2.jpg

[Kiran]

Saber Tooth Tiger.

http://geology.fullerton.edu/whenderson/F2007201/smilodon/images/Smilodon2.jpg

Oooooo Polly!! This has to be one of my favourites!!! Thanks for sharing :)

[Narnia]

Oooooo Polly!! This has to be one of my favourites!!! Thanks for sharing :)

Mine too! Back in my 6th grade science class we had to do a drawing of a prehistoric animal of our choice, I choose the Saber Tooth Tiger ... the drawing (which is now lost) was an affirmation to me that I was an artist. :D

[Ryan]

Thylacinus (Tasmanian Tiger). Hunted to extinction. Such a tragedy...

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l103/romulus_01/thylacinus.jpg

[Kiran]

Wow! What a beautiful animal!!

[Ryan]

Homo neanderthalensis (Neanderthal)

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l103/romulus_01/Neanderthal-001.jpg

Sometimes I wonder what could have been? If Neanderthals, our hominid cousins, were still around today, what would it be like? During the slave-trade era of our history, would we have treated them as sub-humans and enslaved them? What sort of impact would these "modern" Neanderthal's have on our religions? What would their culture be like--their music, their religion, their speech? What would our relationship be like with them today if they had lived? Would they be sophisticated or more similar in tradition/culture as tribes in South America and Africa?

It makes me sad, sometimes, when I think about this--about how we were cousin's. Family. And it's also very interesting to think about, in my opinion. What could have been...

[Kiran]

You know Ryan....looking at his wonderful face....makes me kinda sad too. There is such a warmth behind those eyes and I think they may have added to our so-called society today...maybe made us a little warmer and less cynical.
HUGS and thanks for sharing that beautiful picture :)

[Lion Spirit Walker]

Ohhhh. Kitty, kitty. :D



Saber Tooth Tiger.

http://geology.fullerton.edu/whenderson/F2007201/smilodon/images/Smilodon2.jpg

[Lion Spirit Walker]

I think I need to adopt an Allosaurus.
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http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss70/psy_Michael/allosaurus-artwork_LG.jpg

[Lion Spirit Walker]

Or maybe an Ankylosaurus to go out cruising on weekends. LOL.
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http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss70/psy_Michael/ankylosaurusjpg.jpg

[Lion Spirit Walker]

An Icthyosaur fossil. One of the True Swimming Reptiles.
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http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss70/psy_Michael/icthyosaur-fossiljpg.jpg

[Lion Spirit Walker]

The Anchiceratops...
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http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss70/psy_Michael/Anchiceratops.jpg

[Lion Spirit Walker]

Anchiceratops skull cast...
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http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss70/psy_Michael/Anchiceratopsskull.jpg

[Kiran]

Wow some fantastic pictures here Michael!!! Thanks for sharing them :)

[Lion Spirit Walker]

Tyvm. I love the Dinos. :)

[Lion Spirit Walker]

National Geographic currently has an article up about a new dino species that was discovered. They stated it was a tiny preditor, akin to a t-rex. LOL. Nothing like the puppies biting your ankles.
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http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss70/psy_Michael/new-dinosaur-species-2jpg.jpg