Dinosaurs being the ancestors of Birds, they probably like Perches too! Besides after you have spent a great deal of time protecting your Prehistoric Pal from Rust and provided a Colorful Finish, do you really want to set it on the Bare Ground?
See Brison & Xavier below on just bark. During Rainy weather the bark can stay damp for quite a while. Brison & Xavier will most likely receive stepping stones to rest upon. Note: Brison’s extra Hammered Verde Green accents have been painted over with the exception of around the eyes and neck. Still deciding on the remaining Hammered Verde Green accents. I took this opportunity to enhance the blending of the Hammered Deep Green with the Gold Rush Metallic on both Brison & Xavier.
My first perches are grey concrete stepping stones with cables to help secure the dinosaurs in windy conditions. Later I painted the stones with dinosaur footprints and moss effects. Previous posts on Concrete Stepping Stones Nov. 19, 2015 “Raptor Step 2: foundation”, Aug. 3, 2016 “Triceratops Family – Site/Foundation”, Nov. 23, 2019 “More on Blue Too, The Baby Brontosaurs and Dinosaur Pads”, Dec. 13, 2019 “Watch Your Step” and May 20, 2020 “Stegosaurs & Stepping Stones”.
The second concept is using sand bags to build up a base and concrete that’s sculpted & painted to appear like a large rock. Paint also provides the illusion of Rivers & Moss. I created two bases this way with three more planned to date. Previous posts Feb. 23, 2018 and March 2, 2018 “Creating a Special Place for Your Dinosaur to Perch and Part 2”.
After having some dead Pine Trees cut down, I have plenty of firewood for a couple of winters and chips for the landscape to provide compose and reduction of weeds. In addition, a number of large sections of the trunks provide excellent Perches for the Raptors and future Pterosaurs. To prevent the Raptors from flying off their perches in high winds, I have been using bungee cords attached to 3-inch-long galvanized screws that I drilled into the stumps. Knowing the bungee cords would eventually loose their elasticity & break this was not a permanent solution. Bolt screws 3/8 inch by 3 inches, 8mm hooks and ¼ inch by 50 feet twisted rope is my new plan. Four screw bolts per stump to allow the rope to criss cross making it more secure. Insert the rope into one of the hooks, tie a knot, stretch it over to the other bolt inserting it through another hook. After you have determined how much more rope you need including to make the knot cut off the piece you need. I add a little extra to make it easier to tie the knot. After cutting off the excess I burn the ends to keep the rope from unraveling. Repeat for as many pieces you need.
Some of the Prehistoric Pals enjoy hanging out indoors. Antonio enjoys his perch on the bundled rattan coffee table – looks like a nest doesn’t it? Kevin enjoys being our Entry Sentry. Kevin enjoys riding in the car too! Alejandro prefers his view from the Dining Room Window.
Rock Lights offer a Scary Cool Look for the Prehistoric Pals at Night. Having the Rock Lights on stumps or other landscape Items keeps them from excess moisture damage in a rain shower. Move the stumps around until you get the shadow in just the right spot for the coolest look on the house. After a couple of evenings, I was able to determine where and what size pine was needed for a Rock Light to cast David’s shadow on the Entry. David the T-Rex needed a rather tall piece of pine. A piece of rebar about 5 feet long helped stabilize this large pine branch. A special drill bit made a 16 ¾ inch hole in the branch leaving over 3 ½ feet sunk in the ground to keep the branch from falling over. I will add concrete to permanently secure the branch.
Just in Time for Halloween!
My First Book “Is a Metal Dinosaur the Right Pet for You?” is Available as an eBook on Kindle through Amazon.com
Now Only $3.99!
Included are two photos of Prehistoric Pals converted to black & white line drawings for You to express Your Color Imagination! Search online for print options on Your device. Print Screen, Cropping & Printing are available on many smart phones. Your smart phone may even allow You to email Your Print Screen to Yourself allowing even more options before printing. Kindle has an app for smart phones!
I would love to see Your Color Visions for Dominic & Raphael! Use crayons, pencils, pens, or watercolors! Attach feathers, glitter whatever brings them to life for You. Send a picture of Your Colorized Imaginations to: paul@paulsprehistoricpark.com It could be in a future post!
I will keep You posted with information on my Next eBook “The Shy Triceratops”. I hope to have Paperback versions available later this year.
Consider Membership with the Museum. In addition to Supporting Their Valuable Work there are Benefits to You. Special Preview Events for Members Only as well as Virtual Access Exclusive for Members. For more information and access to general public eLearning check out the links below.
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County www.nhm.org under Research & Collections / Digitized Collections will allow you to browse their Collections. Virtual “Dino Fest” Sept. 22nd thru 25th. Check out the latest Activities on their site.
The American Natural History Museum www.amnh.org You will find eLearning for Families, Students & Educators. Explore the Museum Virtually. Check Out SciCafe: Video Talks and Meet the Icons: Stories behind the Exhibits! Of Course, I’m checking out Tyrannosaurus Rex. There are Video Series covering Behind the Scenes at the Museum with Space & Dinosaur Explainers.
Chicago’s Field Museum www.fieldmuseum.org You can talk to “Maximo the Titanosaur” online, Yes Really! Visit Sue the largest T-Rex discovered! Check Out “Brain Scoop” with host Emily Graslie and the Learning Resources – many are also in Spanish.
Check Out Your Libraries eBooks. My local Library has over 900 eBooks on Dinosaurs! Many Libraries are offering “Curbside Pick-up. If you prefer the hardcopy, “Curbside Pick-up may be the option for you.
Stay Safe & Well.
“Encouraging the Appreciation of Art and Education through the Inspiration of Dinosaurs”
Paul & Prehistoric Pals
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