Byakhee

The Byakhee are a flying species utilized as mounts by many in H.P. Lovecraft's mythos, mostly in the Dreamlands. They are usually depicted looking like insectoid vultures of some sort, an image which I consciously tried not to emulate too much. I read and re-read the description of the creepy flying mounts seen in "The Festival", as those creatures are believed to be Byakhee.

"They were not altogether crows, nor moles, nor buzzards, nor ants, nor vampire bats, nor decomposed human beings; but something I cannot and must not recall. They flopped limply along, half with their webbed feet and half with their membranous wings..."

As much as I tried, it is very difficult to follow that vague description and not end up with something that looks predominately like an insectoid bird of some sort. The mention of webbed feet and mole-like characteristics is a bit difficult to picture, because the comparison to ants makes me imagine something with a chitinous carapace. I had previously drawn the Shantak-bird as hairy in contrast to Lovecraft's description, because I prefer drawing creatures with fur or shaggy hair. Similarly I was tempted to give the Byakhee feathers and make it much more crow-like in appearance, but then I might as well just draw a monstrous crow or raven.