Skye McDavid

Streaking through the sky like a bell-bottomed black-suited disco-ninja, the "four-winged" dinosaur Microraptor attempts to grab an early bird, the pintailed Yuanchuavis, from the Cretaceous sky with taloned feet. Fossils show that Microraptor had a diverse diet that included birds, alongside lizards and fish.

My social media silence is not because I'm dead, kidnapped, or abducted by aliens; I'm working around the clock to make Book 7 all that it can be before submission later this month. Here's a new #paleoart take on Microraptor and Yuanchuavis to show what I'm up to.

OK, break over: back to work...

Stangerochampsa skeleton mount at the Burpee Museum

Stangerochampsa from the Burpee Museum

Oh he fully understands my situation, he just thinks cuddles should be my top priority, not something as frivolous as "manually correcting processing artifacts on a 3d scan"

cat wants me to have a normal healthy sleep schedule but I'm both chronically ill and a workaholic and either one of those things makes a normal sleep schedule very difficult

Merlin the tabby cat lying down on the graphics tablet on skye's desk

Merlin: it is TOO LATE in the night to be working on 3d models in blender, it is time for CUDDLES in the BED

Me: i have to work my colleagues are counting on me

Merlin: ok fine, I'll just lie down on your graphic tablet, so you have no choice but to get ready for bed

wdym this is his spot

Long-necked theropod dinosaur model with scruffy grey feathers on its body. In a case with a worn-out label that identifies it as Syntarsus.

opposite side, which has exposed skeleton. There's some variation in color and texture of the bones, but I imagine they're all casts.

A "Syntarsus" half mount at the National Museum of Zimbabwe (via my colleague who always gets to travel to cool places). Interesting that it has both feathers and a dragging tail.

Michael Raath skeletal diagram of "Syntarsus" rhodesiensis dragging its tail.

dragging tail definitely based on Raath's reconstructions (this version from his 1977 PhD thesis)

Immaculate vibes.

Fortune from a cookie: You will be successful in your work. Lucky #16, 39, 13, 31, 27, 01

Fortune cookie says my manuscript will be accepted.

Azhdarchid kibble

It was very funny. But I would at least get the vegetarian baked beans not the bacon baked beans, because I know she doesn't eat meat.

I am on good terms with my ex. We are good friends but I am not interested in getting back with her.

My ex just texted me to ask me whether I was the one who put a can of baked beans in her mailbox. It was not me.

Example 342 for why you shouldn’t publish in Scientific Reports.

Rhamphorhynchus specimen under a microscope

Pterosauring

Tilly Edinger sitting in front of a wall covered in red leaves, holding a book, pen and a pair of glasses.

Baby ctenochasmatid pterosaur, based on a specimen Tilly Edinger studied: https://ajsonline.org/article/58009-the-brain-of-pterodactylus

Late women's day post:
To celebrate, this is Tilly Edinger (suggested by @skyemcdavid.com), a jewish german paleontologist with disabled hearing and pioneer of paleoneurology. She studied the brains of extinct animals including pterosaurs.
#sciart #paloart

I love Midwest cheesy tomato pie almost as much as I love pizza

Why are random bot(?) accounts commenting on this picture of a pizza

Pino's on main in Rockford.

Deep dish pizza

When in Illinois....

Henry Thomas presenting about azhdarchids

Henry Thomas presenting on Azhdarchids

Henry Thomas presenting on Azhdarchids

a few

Taxidermy moose from up close near the snoot, in the Burpee Museum gift shop

møøse

Quick note that following me on social media does NOT mean it's ok to physically touch me at an event. Also, if I've rarely interacted with you, and you talk to me about my social media posts then give me a gift, that is creepy and parasocial.

Skye holding the holotype of Infernodrakon hastacollis. Skye has severe resting bitch face but she is actually excited and happy

The holotype of Infernodrakon hastacollis, an extremely elongated cervical vertebra

Happy Birthday (a bit late) to Infernodrakon hastacollis, the Spear-necked Dragon from Hell

Yeah they're some of the coolest terrestrial fish imo

The original, Burpee Museum of Natural History, Rockford, Illinois.

Promotional poster for PaleoFest 2026 at the Burpee Museum featuring JH Infernodrakon art

Infernodrakon reconstruction was also featured in promotional material at PaleoFest 2026. (Unfortunately the Burpee Museum did not credit any of the artists...)

Not yet, but there are posters promoting @jgn-paleo.bsky.social 's public lecture (which I unfortunately missed because my flight was delayed) and the posters do mention the recent taxonomic revision.

I want to read the fanfic