“For fossils to thrive, certain favorable circumstances are required. First of all, of course, remnants of life have to be there. These then need to be washed over with water as soon as possible, so that the bones are covered with a layer of sediment.” – Richard Leakey
Hard to believe that this creature’s bones are over 200 million years old. — Photo by Pat Bean
The Bones of the Matter
It stands to reason that if conditions are right for ancient trees to be preserved, other things in the landscape will also be preserved.
Flowers weren’t plentiful in the Painted Desert. The landscape wasn’t encouraging for them, which is why this small patch of yellow stood out so dramatically. — Photo by Pat Bean
And of course they were, as evidenced by the dinosaur skeletons on display at the Rainbow Forest Museum, which sadly would be my final stop before exiting Petrified Forest National Park.
As dinosaurs go, well if you compare them to Sue, the Chicago Field Museum’s gigantic T-Rex, the ones that lived in this ancient forest, were on the dinky side.
The dinosaurs found here belong to the Triassic Period, the late dawn of the dinosaurs, according to the park’s fact sheets.
Two more ancient dinosaur skeletons. — Photo by Pat Bean
These human-sized dinosaurs shared the landscape, which back them was dominated by a huge river running through it, with phytosaurs and rauisuchians, words that sent me running for my dictionary. Crocodile-like is the best definition I could come up with.
Triassic, another word that left me wondering, refers to the period on earth that existed 200 to 250 million years ago.
Now, just as the age of dinosaurs had come and gone, it was time for me to leave the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest and continue traveling down the road. Flagstaff was awaiting me.
Bean’s Pat: Wistfully Wandering http://wistfullywandering.wordpress.comTake an armchair hike in Grand Teton National Park. I can’t believe I’ve missed this one.
*This recognition is merely this wandering/wondering old broad’s way of bringing attention to a blog I enjoyed – and thought perhaps my readers might, too. The Pat on the back is presented with no strings attached. May 25, patbean.wordpress.com
Pat Bean's blog 
This topic is always most interesting – nature creates and nature terminates.
And life goes ever on.
When I read to preschool children at a daycare I dreaded the dinosaur books because the 5 yrs old kids would correct my pronunciation. I have enjoyed your trip in the Petrified Forest National Park. I look forward to your next adventure.
Thanks. I’m headed to the Grand Canyon next. Just a day’s drive through it on my way to Idaho.
The Grand Canyon how wonderful, Up for the ride to the floor or the hike? I have never been in shape to do it but always wanted to camp on the floor and watch the sun rise creep down the walls.