You are in the forested lakesides of Spain, 130 million years ago.

You stopped at the edge of the shallow, murky lagoon, keeping quiet behind the cycads. In the knee-deep water, a small, slender biped was acting peculiar. It was about eight feet long, with a very long, narrow head and a crest of keratin on the back of its skull. It moved with the deliberate, wading motion of a modern heron. Suddenly, its neck snapped down, and a large, skin-like pouch under its lower jaw expanded. It scooped up a small fish, holding the thrashing prey in its pouch for a moment, letting the water drain out before swallowing it with a quick snap of its hundred tiny teeth.

Then it snapped its head in your direction, revealing sharp, intelligent eyes, and freezes. No sudden movements, you thought. You must have startled it…