Re: new dinosaur track book

[Michael Skrepnick <palaeopaint@dinosaursinart.com>]

Adding to Jim's comments,  I got involved in this project by replying on 
this list to Jim's initial request for Tenontosaurus illustrations and 
offering to donate re-use of some existing images I had for inclusion in the 
book. . . which then lead to a cover commission ( for which I lessened my 
fee, as the object and intent of creating the book is to generate funding 
for the Heritage Museum, in order to construct a protective enclosure for 
the fascinating tracksite adjoining the main building.)

Once I had received the manuscript, I was immediately drawn into the text as 
it is a concise yet very enjoyable read, in a sort of "who-dun-it" mystery 
style that investigates not only the potential trackmakers, but the method 
in which the evidence is left behind.  The epilogue is a probable recounting 
of the sequence of events in "real time" ( as though you were a spectator ) 
and was to me reminiscent of similar eloquent yet powerful excerpts 
delivered by the likes of L.Sprague de Camp and C. H. Sternberg.  In fact 
these passages brought several images to mind and as a result I felt 
compelled to paint an additional trio of illustrations that parallel Jim's 
written description of events, ( the rights to which, I subsequently also 
donated to the book and to various items that will be available at the 
museum giftshop.)

The substantial inventory of photographic plates give the reader an informed 
overview of the ichno taxa at the site, but it's really Jim's writing that 
makes this a great addition to your paleontological library! . . ( and the 
proceeds are going toward a good cause. )


Cheers,

Mike Skrepnick



> Well, this time I get to crow about one of my own publications.  I'm
> happy to announce publication of
>
> J.O. Farlow, W. Langston, Jr., E.E. Deschner, R. Solis, W. Ward, B. L.
> Kirkland, S. Hovorka, T. L. Reece, and J. Whitcraft.  2006.  Texas
> Giants: Dinosaurs of the Heritage Museum of the Texas Hill Country, 105
> pp.  Available from the museum, P.O. Box 1598, Canyon Lake, TX  78133;
> phone (830) 899-4542.  I have no information about price.
>
> This is my latest contribution to what feels like a never-ending
> project, description of the dinosaur footprint fauna of the Glen Rose
> Formation of Texas.  This is a detailed description of a single site
> near San Antonio.  Although there are heaps of data, photos, etc., in
> it, we tried to write the booklet/monograph in such a way as to be
> accessible to non-specialist readers.  This work summarizes much of my
> current thoughts about how to study tridactyl dinosaur footprints.
> There are lots of pretty pictures of footprints and foot skeletons,
> and--prettiest of all--some lovely color paintings by Mike Skrepnick,
> some of them done specifically for this book.
>
> All proceeds of sales of this will be used by the museum to conserve
> and develop its dinosaur track resource.
>
> I plan to bring a copy to show off at SVP.
>
> cheers