A black and white sketch was created first. Dinosaur fans will notice that there are animals from various periods within the Mesozoic Era portrayed together. Several species of therapod dinosaurs and extinct birds appear in the scene. Under a spreading ginkgo tree, an Oviraptor tends its nest of young. On the bank beyond, a group of Deinonychus revisit an old kill. Compsagnathus, a chicken-sized dinosaur, investigates the beach. A pair of Archaeopteryx, the first known fossil bird, are escaping from a pack of hunting Coelophysis. Other birds in the scene are Eoalulavis, landing in the ginkgo tree; Hesperornis, swimming in the lake; and Icthyornis, flying overhead.