The large dromaeosaurs and giant theropods

A little critter is enjoying the Autumn sun on the wall of the local cemetery in Valtura.

Pula the other day. The elusive large dromie footprint (a natural cast) on top of ankylosaur tracks. There is no doubt that the ankylosaur herd was closely monitored by the large dromies and giant theropods.
With the foot measuring about 30 cm in length, the dromaeosaurid must have been some 5 meters long in total.  Even such a formidable beast would not try to confront the giant adult polacanthid, but was most likely hunting the young and subadult ones when not under the protection of the herd. Despite the popular notion, I haven't found any proof for gregarious behaviour in the dromies. Rather, they seemed to have been the solitary hunters.

A heavy dinoturbation: mostly titanosaur tracks, but also some iguanodontoid and theropod ones.

Pula jučer: ukusni plodovi maginja (Arbutus unedo)

Sunset in Pula

Back from Pula

This weekend in Pula (17-19 October 2014) was a nice trip. It was warm, although, a bit too humid for my taste and the sea was still good enough (21°C) for swimming. The water was crystal clear, by the way.
Of course, I managed finding some more dinosaur tracks on the beach. Here is a decent small theropod footprint with my interpretation.

After snorkeling and enjoying the mid-October sun, the berries from the  strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) locally known as "planika", were a nice fresh snack. They are abundant at this tourist resort grounds. It was peaceful and quiet with only a few people on the beach and in the water. The premises of the resort Zlatne stijene are closed until the next season (2015).

The Saturday market in Pula was well stocked and visited as usually.