more info can be found at the original image (my main account): [link]

I've consulted several people and all have come to the same conclusion that Sardi does not need a true avian furcula (required in birds for respiratory processes as well as a brace against opposing forces while flapping the wings). Sardi has a diaphragm and a hybridized saurian/avian respiratory system as well as digestive system. The forearm structure and chest, the way I have them built around each other, will act in accordance with each other to brace the body against the massive forces at work with each wing beat (aka an overly modified furcula composing of arm/chest structure).

All of the other points made on the image should answer questions, but I can answer other questions that arise either way.

Huge thanks to *Foxchibi and ~SageGoat for their extremely helpful advice and suggestions, *shartman and Gregory S. Paul for their skeletal reconstructions, and as well as several ornithology manuals and other texts/articles that I scoured for information via books or internet sources.

Sardiryx ©

I wanted to paint something in this type colour scheme. Also made myself a sig. I'm happy with how it all turned out.

My new pet, Peaches the albino leopard gecko. Shes so cute i just had to draw her. heavily referenced of of the real thing

Runt is a short 3D Final Degree Film that was in production in 2008. The short film can be watched here.

Here is the fourth character from my short 3D Degree Film: The Adult Wyvern. The adults are only seen twice in the film as they only have a small part to play; to show that Runt isn't alone after all.

Even though they have limited screen-time, I still love them. I designed them to be efficient beasts; skillful in flight, quick in reactions and altogether wild, somewhat ferocious-looking creatures. Despite this, they are not overly hostile. They are quite happy to roam in groups, even allowing an unfamiliar wyvern (Runt, for example) to join them.

_{Landscape and Character Textures were created by my film partner and used with his Full Permission, so I take no credit for them.}

An updated version of the B. canadensis model's head and neck. I've improved the polys in the beak area (a technical thing that smooths out the look of things) and edited the nares. The tissue in the orbit has been drastically edited (a huge pain in the keester). The external auditory meatus has also been edited extensively. Things are looking much, much better I think.
Edit: The contours in the neck have been improved to show muscle and tendon boundaries. Colour has been added with lamps; this is a female.

moderately unsuccessful phantom view of a platypus' skull.
interesting because the shape of the skull resembles cthulu.

If you're wondering why most of the fish aren't feeding, it's because most of the fish are dead.

Final adult challenge for my Windsonde gryphon Kiya [link]



Some Skrekrill louts are massing near the border. Get rid of them any way you can!

Kiya was on foot for a change. She was scouring the borders of Grandesque territory for potential gold deposits so she would have material for crafting, and money to spend in the town of Dale once she learned to take human form. When she crested the top of an eroded hill she thought might have potential, she froze. The dusty desert floor was full of Skrekrills!

They had an eviscerated buffalo, no doubt poached from Grandesque's herds. She had never met any of the intruders in person, but recognized a few of them from gossip and stories told around the aerie. This was not a crowd she planned to mess with!

Kiya had never considered herself a fighter. The few times she had run into serious trouble, she had fled as fast as her feathers could carry her! She could do that again. None of the Skrekrill had seen her yet. Kiya ducked below the crest of the hill. Her heart was beating fast and she was afraid, but she felt something else too. What right did these Skrekrill have to run wild in Grandesque, making the borderlands unsafe for gryphons like her? This wasn't the first time she had run into a scary Skrekrill in her own territory.

Kiya knew she lacked the ability to fight off one of those mean-looking gryphons, much less five. She flew back to the aerie as fast as she could, seeking Titania's two Maralachs, Skooma and Skerry. Once they heard what was going on, they rounded up a quick posse. Aren and Tiberius volunteered immediately. Kiya quietly tried to back out, but Skooma noticed her. His eyes narrowed. "Are you spineless?," he asked. "Defend your aerie."

Shrinking with embarrassment, Kiya laid her ears flat and curled her tail between her legs. It was true; not once had she ever lifted a claw to do anything for Grandesque, yet she depended on the aerie to protect her. "I'll come!" she said weakly, her poor legs already shaking.

Four Skrekrill gluttons were still gnawing at their kill when the Grandesque appeared on the horizon. Kerberus spotted them immediately, uttering an eagle-scream challenge. At once, both sides mobilized.

Both Skooma and Kerberus were airborn before either could be pinned to the ground by an opponent. Aren and Tiberius barreled into the fray like a pair of tanks, targeting the Skrekrill owlgryph Briggen. With absolute terror, Kiya saw Valcaur bounding towards her with a fixated look in his red eyes. She panicked and ducked at the very same instant he leaped over her head to grapple with Skerry. He wasn't going to let that one in the air this time ([link])!

Kerberus's call had alerted the fifth member of their poaching party to Grandesque's presence and Bellicose came racing in not a minute later. She eyed Tiberius flanking Briggen and prepared to circle in and tackle the massive, stubby-legged gray gryphon. Adoerak had the same idea. Having taken to the air, Kiya saw that two-against-one was about to shift towards two-against-three. She couldn't let that happen! Without another thought she shrieked and dove, drawing the kitegryphon's attention. Adrenaline coursed through her body, alive with terror and exhilaration. For the first time in her life, she was doing something brave!

Short version: MASSIVE GRYPHON SKIRMISH!

I think being involved in this fight might give Kiya some much-needed confidence. Better late than never. She might even be brave enough to fly to Tookie Island now! That can't be as terrifying as this experience... right?

Featuring, from left to right
~Raicoh's Bellicose [link]
~Squizilla's Tiberius [link]
~avalonauggie's Aren [link]
*Supaslim's Briggen [link]
~rydicanubis's Skerry [link]
=skysealer's Skooma [link]
My character Valcauroch [link]
*LacedDog's Kerberus [link]
~bolthound's Adoerak [link]
And Kiya!

Just a detail shot of this image:


Sardiryx ©

Please do not copy, trace, reuse, redistribute, alter, or use in any way, shape or form without my expressed written permission.