How is this an example?: Ptero Soarer

Except that the shadow in question isn't evidence of a pteranodon in particular; just evidence of a bird of its shape, or even just close enough to its shape. (Other objects between the bird and the characters can distort the shadow's image as well.)

edited 18th Feb '12 2:21:24 PM by HiddenFacedMatt

"The Daily Show has to be right 100% of the time; FOX News only has to be right once." - Jon Stewart

The thing I like about the shadow picture is that it doesn't show how the animals looks; it shows how it's treated in story. Just looking at the picture for a split second, you can tell that there's a huge scary monster that's about swoop down and attack people Those are the things that are important to this trope, not the exact shape and appearance of the thing.

All the images that actually show the creature might imply that this is what a Ptero Soarer looks like, even though the actual requirements aren't that specific.

That being said, it's still probably not my favorite option. I like the other ones just because of how charmingly ridiculous they are.

edited 18th Feb '12 2:47:06 PM by abk0100

... when you put it that way, it seems to be a point in the shadow version's favour after all. *Changes vote.*

"The Daily Show has to be right 100% of the time; FOX News only has to be right once." - Jon Stewart

My biggest objection to the shadow pic is that it could be any kind of monstrous creature flying overhead, whereas the other pics are crystal clear about the monster being a killer pteranodon, which is what the trope is all about.

edited 19th Feb '12 1:56:02 PM by Willbyr

I like having the picture of the featherless pteranodon style.

Rhymes with "Protracted."

Wow, it's not often I actually convince someone of something in an Internet argument (not that that's stopped me from trying)

Looks like Jonny Quest cover is pulling ahead though. I'm okay with that. It's got teeth, leathery-bat wings, it's carrying a person, and it even calls it a "pterandon" - they couldn't even get the name of the thing they were misrepresenting right.

Alright, this one's time to call. The new pic is up, potholed, and tagged, and the rest are on the Image Links page. Caption or no?

"The thing with the large beak"

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman

Eh, the image has captions in it naturally. I don't think we need to add an extra one of our own.

Rhymes with "Protracted."

What about mentioning "Pterandon"?

I thought about "Let's hope it doesn't poop."

I'd say no caption.

...if you don’t love you’re dead, and if you do, they’ll kill you for it.

I'd say everyone agrees with that. Locking up.