Friday, May 30, 2008
British Bigfoot in the News
The controversy surrounding the YouTube footage said to show a Bigfoot-style beast in Britain's Peak District (that I have recently been discussing at my Man-Beast UK blog) has now reached the eyes and ears of the nation's media - albeit very briefly! Here's the link.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
More Monster News
As I'm on the road right now, I'm in that position where some days I have the time to do longer posts (such as the interview earlier this week with Michael Woodley on his book, In the Wake Bernard Heuvelmans), and other days I'm tied up with work and stuck with an Internet signal from hell! Today, is definitely the latter!
So, with that said, it's a just a quick round-up of some of the things that caught my eye today, and things will be back on a regular footing again on Monday.
Loren Coleman provides new and intriguing info on the new series of MonsterQuest; more from Loren (on the current controversy concerning the Patterson film that has everyone fired up); and if such a thing were possible (and according to this story it is), there's even more accounts of big cats on the loose in Britain's Cannock Chase woods!
So, with that said, it's a just a quick round-up of some of the things that caught my eye today, and things will be back on a regular footing again on Monday.
Loren Coleman provides new and intriguing info on the new series of MonsterQuest; more from Loren (on the current controversy concerning the Patterson film that has everyone fired up); and if such a thing were possible (and according to this story it is), there's even more accounts of big cats on the loose in Britain's Cannock Chase woods!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Creature Cases - Everywhere!
Yet another report of a British Big Cat surfaces; Loren Coleman on MonsterQuest and the Yeren; Strange creatures of Japan; and Lisa Shiel on Bigfoot and Stick-Signs.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Various Stories...
As I've been off-line since Friday, you might want to check out The Anomalist, where business has been as usual for the last few days, and where you'll find some good crypto links (from Cryptomundo and elsewhere) to get your teeth into.
Congrats to Linda Godfrey!
This just in from Linda Godfrey:
"How often does a book on strange and anomalous things win any sort of prize or public acknowledgment? I was pleasantly astonished to learn last week that Strange Wisconsin: More Badger State Weirdness was awarded a bronze medal in the 2008 IPPY's (Independent Publishers annual Best Book Awards) in the Great Lakes Regional non-fiction category."
Linda continues:
"According to their Web site, http://www.independentpublisher.com/ - '2008 Independent Publisher Regional Book Awards - These regional ³IPPYs² were designed to spotlight the best regional titles from around North America. Over 600 entries were received from across the U.S. and Canada. Books were judged alongside books for and about their regions only, based on their quality and regional significance.'"
About the book: Strange Wisconsin: More Badger State Weirdness, by Linda S. Godfrey was published byTrails Books, Madison, Wisconsin. It features lavish, full-color photos and illustrations of everything strange about Wisconsin from legends of goat men and pig people to cemetery tales, haunted places, artistically blessed properties, roadside attractions and offbeat historical characters. Reports of unknown creatures like the Beast of Bray Road, Bigfoot, Man Bat of LaCrosse and others, are in abundance as Godfrey's forte.
Good one, Linda!
Puerto Rican Monsters in Fiction
I came across these (on the Net) the other day: namely, a couple of novels on the Puerto Rican Goat-Sucker. The forthcoming one is called Chupacabra and the Roswell UFO; while the first was titled Curse of the Chupacabra.From the blurb for the Roswell book (to be published later this year), comes the following:
“In this second ChupaCabra mystery, Professor Rosa Medina has just arrived in Santa Fe where she meets Nadine, a mysterious sixteen-year-old who insists that the two of them travel to Roswell, New Mexico. Nadine is convinced that C-Force, a secret government agency, has decoded the DNA of ChupaCabra and an extraterrestrial. If the two genomes are combined, a new and horrific life form will be created.
“In this fast-paced mystery, Anaya expands the ChupaCabra folklore into a metaphor that deals with the new powers inherent in science. Is ChupaCabra a beast in Latino folktales, used to frighten children, or a lost species being manipulated by C-Force? Rosa’s life hangs in the balance as she and her young accomplice try to find a way to stop C-Force before its mad scientists create a monster.
“Rudolfo Anaya, widely acclaimed as one of the founders of modern Chicano literature, is professor emeritus of English at the University of New Mexico. Anaya was presented with the National Medal of Arts for literature in 2001 and his novel Alburquerque (the city’s original Spanish spelling) won the PEN Center West Award for Fiction. He has also received the Premio Quinto Sol, the national Chicano literary award, the American Book Award from The Before Columbus Foundation, the Mexican Medal of Friendship from the Mexican Consulate, and the Western Literature Association’s Distinguished Achievement Award. He is best known for the classic Bless Me Ultima.”
Here’s the info on "Curse...":
“Is the ChupaCabra mythical or real? Stories of the creature abound in Latino communities. The illusive creature is said to suck the blood of goats. Thus, its name, goatsucker. Whenever a backyard goat or chicken is mysteriously killed, the story spreads in the barrio that the ChupaCabra struck.
“When Professor Rosa Medina began to research the folklore of the ChupaCabra, she never expected to tangle face-to-face with the monster. Rosa journeys to Mexico to examine a ChupaCabra incident. The creature has killed a campesino in the jungle. And the drug traffickers who have captured the ChupaCabra also control a large drug shipment destined for Los Angeles.
“The monster is set loose on the streets; so is the meth that is destroying the brains of the young and vulnerable. This fast-paced story moves from Mexico to Los Angeles to New Mexico. Danger lurks at every corner as Rosa fights to protect her students from the forces of evil.
“Written for young adults, the story has a universal message. Only Rudolfo Anaya can combine the excitement of a thriller and the wisdom of traditional healings to create a page-turner that has lessons to teach us all.”
Sea Serpents & Heuvelmans: Author Interviewed
I recently conducted a lengthy interview with Michael A. Woodley, the author of a new book on sea-serpents titled In the Wake of Bernard Heuvelmans (CFZ Press, 2008). As you'll see below, Woodley has much to say about his views, thoughts and opinions on Heuvelmans' work and theories:Q: "What was it that got you interested in cryptozoology in general, and sea-serpents and the work of Heuvelmans in particular?"
A: "My earliest scientific interest was in marine biology. Most people, who get into sea-life at the age of 10, start off interested in the obvious animals – sharks and whales etc, but I found the Cnidaria (Jellyfish, sea anenomies, hydras etc) to be especially fascinating due mostly to their complex life cycles. To me they were so alien compared to other forms of marine life and I felt them thusly to be especially worthy of study.
A: "My earliest scientific interest was in marine biology. Most people, who get into sea-life at the age of 10, start off interested in the obvious animals – sharks and whales etc, but I found the Cnidaria (Jellyfish, sea anenomies, hydras etc) to be especially fascinating due mostly to their complex life cycles. To me they were so alien compared to other forms of marine life and I felt them thusly to be especially worthy of study.
"My first exposure to cryptozoology came when I found a well-illustrated book on sea monsters in the library of my primary school. I vividly remember reading about the McCleary encounter of 1962 in which he claimed to be the lone survivor of a sea monster attack that allegedly resulted in the loss of four of his friends whilst diving off the Florida coast; the story was gruesomely illustrated as I recall. It was this that got me thinking about the possibilities of large and maybe even dangerous, unaccounted for animals lurking in the worlds oceans (it also triggered in me a life long dislike of the sea!).
"I suppose then that it was a fascination with both the unknown and the unusual that really roped me into cryptozoology, although I will admit that my interest has always been heavily skewed towards dracontology (the study of sea serpents).
"My first exposure to Heuvelmans came much later on, when I read of his work in an essay on sea serpents by the mystery-writing couple, Janet and Colin Bord. It featured in a general text on anomalistics and introduced me to the basics of Heuvelmans’ classification scheme. I seem to recall that it came as a surprise to me that a qualified Zoologist would actually write in a scientific manner about a topic such as sea serpents.
"It wasn’t until quite some years after this that I got around to seeing a copy of In the Wake of the Sea-Serpents. My copy arrived in the summer of 2006, fully six weeks after I had put in an order for it on Amazon (I had actually forgotten all about the order so its unexpected appearance came as a very pleasant surprise!). I quickly absorbed the books content and set about formulating my own ideas. It wasn’t long before I decided that they needed to be written down, and that’s when I started on the book."
Q: "How do you compare Heuvelmans' importance and relevance to cryptozoology in the past with the cryptozoological field of today?"
A: "This is a question that will probably get you as many different answers as there are cryptozoologists; my particular take on it is that ultimately, cryptozoologists generally align with one of two camps on the issue. There are many cryptozoologists who believe that the field needs to come out from under Heuvelmans’ shadow so to speak; that it effectively needs a fresh start as they feel that Heuvelmans’ influence ultimately had a detrimental influence on efforts to garner mainstream credibility for the field. I tend to label those who hold this view as the ‘new’ cryptozoologists; they recognize Heuvelmans’ historical significance as effective founder and chief popularizer of the field, but basically regard him in much the same way that the majority of modern psychiatrists might regard Freud – as an ultimately misguided visionary.
Q: "How do you compare Heuvelmans' importance and relevance to cryptozoology in the past with the cryptozoological field of today?"
A: "This is a question that will probably get you as many different answers as there are cryptozoologists; my particular take on it is that ultimately, cryptozoologists generally align with one of two camps on the issue. There are many cryptozoologists who believe that the field needs to come out from under Heuvelmans’ shadow so to speak; that it effectively needs a fresh start as they feel that Heuvelmans’ influence ultimately had a detrimental influence on efforts to garner mainstream credibility for the field. I tend to label those who hold this view as the ‘new’ cryptozoologists; they recognize Heuvelmans’ historical significance as effective founder and chief popularizer of the field, but basically regard him in much the same way that the majority of modern psychiatrists might regard Freud – as an ultimately misguided visionary.
"On the other hand there are those, like myself, who perceive Heuvelmans’ fundamental interdisciplinary vision of cryptozoology and the methods he developed for the evaluation and analysis of non-autoptic evidences as being still central to contemporary cryptozoology. Those who maintain this position could be labeled as ‘Heuvelmansian’ cryptozoologists, I would personally describe myself as a ‘neo-Heuvelmansian’ as whilst I maintain that Heuvelmans’ theories and methods are still relevant to contemporary cryptozoology, I recognize their limitations and have attempted to improve on them."
Q: "What was it that prompted you to write the book, and how would you broadly describe it and its contents?"
A: "Since Heuvelmans penned In the Wake of the Sea-Serpents, there has been very little progress made in really advancing his thinking on the issue of marine cryptid identity hypotheses. The Coleman-Huyghe classification model for all its numerous merits was ultimately an attempt at lumping and splitting, within Heuvelmans’ original categories, albeit one that was extremely original. There is of course the model of Bruce Champagne, which is especially interesting because it attempts to quantitatively score the evidence associated with marine cryptid encounters.
Q: "What was it that prompted you to write the book, and how would you broadly describe it and its contents?"
A: "Since Heuvelmans penned In the Wake of the Sea-Serpents, there has been very little progress made in really advancing his thinking on the issue of marine cryptid identity hypotheses. The Coleman-Huyghe classification model for all its numerous merits was ultimately an attempt at lumping and splitting, within Heuvelmans’ original categories, albeit one that was extremely original. There is of course the model of Bruce Champagne, which is especially interesting because it attempts to quantitatively score the evidence associated with marine cryptid encounters.
"In addition, and perhaps most significantly, it also looks at ecological and ethological correlates associated with the sightings and their locations, which he uses in the building of more heuristic ‘multifactor’ marine cryptid identities. The problem with the Champagne model is its unfortunate lack of visibility within cryptozoological circles; only specialists in the field ever seem to have heard of it.
"There existed in my opinion, an opportunity for a book that would attempt to take Heuvelmans’ theories to the ‘next level’ (to use the cliché), i.e. one which would examine the veracity of Heuvelmans’ identity hypotheses simply as they stood at the time of his death, from the perspective of contemporary advances in zoology, ecology and evolutionary biology.
"It was especially in regards to the latter two that I felt the most new light could be shed on his theories, as I believe ecological inference and evolutionary narratives to be the most useful tools in evaluating the contemporary plausibility of Heuvelmans’ identity hypotheses and in creating a framework with which viable alternatives to his proposed identities could be proposed to account for the sightings ‘clusters’ from which he made his initial deductions.
"I do not believe that Heuvelmans’ got it completely right, and there is certainly scope for new identity theories to be added to any potential future classification scheme in the vein of Coleman, Huyghe and Champagne; however the creation of new categories was not the main purpose of the book, it was primarily an attempt at dealing with Heuvelmans’ theories on his own terms so to speak."
Q: "How do you feel about Heuvelmans' conclusions and theories and (a) how are they similar to yours, and (b) how do they differ?"
A: "It is obvious that Heuvelmans’ invocation of multiple identity hypotheses was an improvement over Oudeman’s single hypothesized Megophius megophius, which was basically an attempt to condense all the factors associated with alleged sightings of unknown large marine animals into one massively oversimplified identity.
Q: "How do you feel about Heuvelmans' conclusions and theories and (a) how are they similar to yours, and (b) how do they differ?"
A: "It is obvious that Heuvelmans’ invocation of multiple identity hypotheses was an improvement over Oudeman’s single hypothesized Megophius megophius, which was basically an attempt to condense all the factors associated with alleged sightings of unknown large marine animals into one massively oversimplified identity.
"In criticizing Heuvelmans it is easy to point out the obvious errors – for example, there is his claim for the existence of armored archaeocetes, which turned out to be due to the presence of turtle shell fragments found intermingled with basilosaur fossils, or there was his belief that the allometric scaling between leptocephalus and adult eels holds true for leptocephalus at 6 feet (unfortunately it doesn’t – the adult forms are only marginally larger than the larval forms). However, in raising these criticisms it is necessary to remember that Heuvelmans was writing in an era when these suppositions were considered at least plausible.
"A more valid point for criticism concerning Heuvelmans’ identity hypotheses concerns the fact that he could theoretically have done much more with his data in terms of quantitative correlative analysis both between and within groups of sightings and with respect to broader ecological patterns.
"As I mentioned previously, I consider myself to be a neo-Heuvelmansian, which means that I believe Heuvelmans’ methods for evaluating non-autoptic evidence sources, coupled with professional fieldwork, to be the essential bread and butter of cryptozoology. This is not to say that I don’t embrace new ways of evaluating the evidence and indeed I believe that cryptozoology can only benefit from this kind of thinking – this being the basis of the book.
"A nuanced treatment of the differences between Heuvelmans’ identity theories and my own revisions would take to long to present here (plus it would negate the need to buy the book!), but lets suffice it to say that there probably aren’t any Cretaceous period reptiles swimming around in the oceans, there may be a rather large marine cousin of the centipede lurking in the depths and super-otters may well actually be otters!"
Q: "How do you hope the book will be received?"
A: "I know that there will be much scope for disagreement, particularly between myself and the new cryptozoologists who might not see the contemporary relevance of Heuvelmans’ identity hypotheses to the field, or who may even question the scientific legitimacy of such speculation. It is actually my fondest wish that the contents of this book be debated as it is through reasoned debate that new perspectives can be gleaned and progress can be made."
Q: "What has been the reaction thus far?"
A: "I have received little in the way of feedback so far, which is understandable owing to the relatively recent publication of the book. Charles Paxton and I have exchanged e-mails concerning the text; he is of the opinion that whilst they are certainly fun to generate, cryptid classification schemes are essentially non-scientific; a point which I readily cede on the grounds that such hypothesizing can have no true scientific value in the absence of a criterion for falsification – something which I hope to address statistically in a paper that is currently in preparation."
Q: "For how long were you working on the book?"
A: "I started on the long necked seal chapter back in April of 2007, during my final semester at Columbia University. It was my intention at the time to have it published as a short book, however there were no takers initially. I then approached Jonathan Downes of the Centre for Fortean Zoology, and he suggested that it be incorporated into the 2008 Yearbook. This was how things stayed until January of this year when I suggested to him that we create a book incorporating reviews and re-evaluations of all of Heuvelmans’ proposed marine cryptid identity hypotheses. He agreed that this was a good idea and to compensate for the sudden absence of the long necked seal article from the year book I agreed to write an article on the Mongolian Death Worm, in which I would utilize the ‘plausibility method’ to re-evaluate the current identity hypotheses for this cryptid.
Q: "How do you hope the book will be received?"
A: "I know that there will be much scope for disagreement, particularly between myself and the new cryptozoologists who might not see the contemporary relevance of Heuvelmans’ identity hypotheses to the field, or who may even question the scientific legitimacy of such speculation. It is actually my fondest wish that the contents of this book be debated as it is through reasoned debate that new perspectives can be gleaned and progress can be made."
Q: "What has been the reaction thus far?"
A: "I have received little in the way of feedback so far, which is understandable owing to the relatively recent publication of the book. Charles Paxton and I have exchanged e-mails concerning the text; he is of the opinion that whilst they are certainly fun to generate, cryptid classification schemes are essentially non-scientific; a point which I readily cede on the grounds that such hypothesizing can have no true scientific value in the absence of a criterion for falsification – something which I hope to address statistically in a paper that is currently in preparation."
Q: "For how long were you working on the book?"
A: "I started on the long necked seal chapter back in April of 2007, during my final semester at Columbia University. It was my intention at the time to have it published as a short book, however there were no takers initially. I then approached Jonathan Downes of the Centre for Fortean Zoology, and he suggested that it be incorporated into the 2008 Yearbook. This was how things stayed until January of this year when I suggested to him that we create a book incorporating reviews and re-evaluations of all of Heuvelmans’ proposed marine cryptid identity hypotheses. He agreed that this was a good idea and to compensate for the sudden absence of the long necked seal article from the year book I agreed to write an article on the Mongolian Death Worm, in which I would utilize the ‘plausibility method’ to re-evaluate the current identity hypotheses for this cryptid.
"The book was in a publishable condition by the end of February, after I had invested considerable amounts of time into analyzing the data on the other proposed identity hypotheses. It was quite a good feeling when March rolled around and I finally got my first ‘in hand’ copies."
Q: "Are you planning on any further cryptozoological works?"
A: "In the conclusion of the book, I mention that I am contemplating a follow up work, in which I will hopefully get around to dealing with the issue of rationally expanding Heuvelmans’ identity taxonomy for marine cryptids. However I feel that before this can be attempted, there are a variety of issues that need to be addressed, for example there is the matter of being able to scientifically falsify cryptid hypotheses, the key to which may be found in the patterns of cumulative species description and will, as was mentioned previously, constitute the basis of a published statistical treatment of the subject.
Q: "Are you planning on any further cryptozoological works?"
A: "In the conclusion of the book, I mention that I am contemplating a follow up work, in which I will hopefully get around to dealing with the issue of rationally expanding Heuvelmans’ identity taxonomy for marine cryptids. However I feel that before this can be attempted, there are a variety of issues that need to be addressed, for example there is the matter of being able to scientifically falsify cryptid hypotheses, the key to which may be found in the patterns of cumulative species description and will, as was mentioned previously, constitute the basis of a published statistical treatment of the subject.
"There is also the issue of the use of binomial nomenclature in cryptozoology. Heuvelmans was very liberal in ascribing binomial names to his putative species, and the new cryptozoologists tend to rule these out as nomina nuda. However, what is seldom discussed is Heuvelmans’ reasoning behind ascribing to cryptids binomial names in the first place.
"In a 1982 essay, Heuvelmans critiqued the 1958 decision of the International Congress for Zoology to reject the ‘parataxa’ concept, which was first proposed by More and Sylvester-Bradley as a means of classifying inconclusive fossilized remains, animal tracks and body fossils (imprints) (a revised form of which has been subsequently accepted as ‘ichnotaxa’).
"Heuvelmans suggested that in essence, binomial names in cryptozoology could be rationalized on the basis of their being parataxanomic, as cryptids tend only to be known through anecdote or through other inconclusive evidences (photographs, footprints etc).
"The utility of Heuvelmans’ parataxa concept as a means of generating taxonomic ‘place-holder’ names with which cryptids can be formally recognized upon discovery, needs I feel to be firmly established within cryptozoology. This too will be the object of a new paper, which will hopefully be featured in Animals and Men soon."
Friday, May 23, 2008
Have a Good Holiday!
I'll be off-line from now for the Memorial Day Weekend, and back on Tuesday. Have a good holiday!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
A Big Bigfoot Controversy
Check out the following (from The Anomalist) for all the latest news on one of the most controversial developments within the Bigfoot field:
"Shooting Incident at Bluff Creek? Wild speculation and comments are flying all over the Internet about a new theory telling of Bigfoot being killed at Bluff Creek. What's behind all of this? Perhaps the answer lies in Bigfoot Massacre: The Theory, filmmaker John L. Johnsen's complete unedited exclusive statement. If what is being said is true, a story of shootings, dead Bigfoot, and buried bodies may be behind the famed film footage of 1967. Either that or one incredible evolving piece of rural folklore is unfolding right before our eyes! The Cryptomundo postings have led to this response from The Blogsquatcher: M. K. Davis and the P/G Film Part 2."
"Shooting Incident at Bluff Creek? Wild speculation and comments are flying all over the Internet about a new theory telling of Bigfoot being killed at Bluff Creek. What's behind all of this? Perhaps the answer lies in Bigfoot Massacre: The Theory, filmmaker John L. Johnsen's complete unedited exclusive statement. If what is being said is true, a story of shootings, dead Bigfoot, and buried bodies may be behind the famed film footage of 1967. Either that or one incredible evolving piece of rural folklore is unfolding right before our eyes! The Cryptomundo postings have led to this response from The Blogsquatcher: M. K. Davis and the P/G Film Part 2."
There's Something in the Woods...
I was alerted earlier today to this piece of footage that was posted at YouTube, and that was supposedly taken in Britain's Peak District. From the accents of the people present, it sounds like they are from the Stoke-on-Trent/Rugeley/Stafford areas of Staffordshire, England. The film briefly shows something man-like in the woods.
Of course, You-Tube is full of films like this...
Of course, You-Tube is full of films like this...
Mothman Arrives...
A couple of days ago, I received from author Andy Colvin a copy of his book The Mothman's Photographer II. I've started reading it, and a fine book it is, too. Definitely an essential title for anyone into all things "Mothy." Soon as I've finished reading it, I'll be doing a full review.
The Cannock Chase Beast (Or One Them At Least!) Is Back
Once again, Britain's Cannock Chase woods are the site of reported encounters with mysterious creatures.
As the Chase Post newspaper states: "Further grim discoveries have been made on Cannock Chase fuelling beliefs the beast is out there. Following the discovery of a mutilated deer near Birches Valley three weeks ago two more Chase Post readers have come forward to tell of their shocking discoveries. Both say they believe something is targeting deer in the area after finding stripped carcasses miles from roads. And the possibility the Chase panther is a reality has given them paws for thought."
Here's the rest of the article.
If you ever get the chance, check out the Cannock Chase. I grew up only a few miles away, and as a kid I had a lot of fun running around the spooky woods of the Chase. Now, as an adult, whenever I'm back in the area I get to run around the Chase woods in search of monsters! Life can be very strange at times!
As the Chase Post newspaper states: "Further grim discoveries have been made on Cannock Chase fuelling beliefs the beast is out there. Following the discovery of a mutilated deer near Birches Valley three weeks ago two more Chase Post readers have come forward to tell of their shocking discoveries. Both say they believe something is targeting deer in the area after finding stripped carcasses miles from roads. And the possibility the Chase panther is a reality has given them paws for thought."
Here's the rest of the article.
If you ever get the chance, check out the Cannock Chase. I grew up only a few miles away, and as a kid I had a lot of fun running around the spooky woods of the Chase. Now, as an adult, whenever I'm back in the area I get to run around the Chase woods in search of monsters! Life can be very strange at times!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Alert: Werewolves in my Mail-Box!
Well, it's sort of accurate: I just received in the mail a review-copy of Linda Godfrey's new book, Werewolves. A quick scan of its contents has already led me to conclude that if you enjoyed Linda's The Beast of Bray Road and Hunting the American Werewolf, you'll definitely want this one , too. I'm going to be reading it over the next couple of days, and reviewing it next week, right here.
Bigfoot: Even Weirder!
Here's an even stranger new Bigfoot story: one dealing with the Patterson Film.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Tasmanian Tiger DNA: Resurrected
Here's an interesting one: resurrecting DNA from the extinct (or presumed extinct...) Tasmanian Tiger.
Tales of the Iceman
The story of the Minnesota Iceman is one of the most controversial within cryptozoology, and is a case that has over the years been championed and denounced by monster-hunters everywhere. Rather like a crypto version of the "Alien Autopsy" film, it continues to create intrigue, even when the evidence of its reality has been questioned, denied and debunked time and again. Of course, it could well be the real deal - which, I suspect, is precisely the reason why it continues to fascinate people. And now it's in the news again!
The CFZ: The Latest News
CFZ Director Jon Downes makes the pages of Britain's Telegraph newspaper today, where he discusses the Loch Ness Monster and Bigfoot. Jon also mentions something that he told me about recently, but asked me not to say too much until he was ready to make an announcement. Well, now he has made the announcement: in the newspaper. The news is that very soon, Richard Freeman (CFZ Zoological-Director) and several colleagues will be traveling to Russia to search for hairy wild-men. This is likely to be one of the CFZ's most ambitious projects to date, and when I know more, I'll let you know.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Details Of My New Book Online
As you'll see from this link, Anomalist Books have published online-details of my forthcoming new book. I decided to title it There's Something in the Woods. Hmmmm, now where have we heard that before...? I'll keep you posted on publication date, content, press-release, etc closer to the time.
Linda Godfrey's "Werewolves"
Great news: Linda Godfrey (of The Beast of Bray Road and Hunting the American Werewolf fame) has a new book out right now titled Werewolves. A review copy is on its way to me, and as soon as it arrives and I've read it, it will be reviewed right here. Here's the link for more info on the book. This is sure to be a must-read title for anyone interested in all-things hairy and howling!
Monster News
Brad Steiger delves deep into the mystery of that most famous of all giant winged-things: the "biggest and baddest" Thunderbird; sea-serpents are news again; and a review of the annual Ohio Bigfoot Conference. A good start to a Monday morning!
Friday, May 16, 2008
On the Road
As I'm kind of racing around, getting ready for a weekend of lectures, I'll be offline from now. But I'll be back on Monday with a regular and varied supply of info of the crypto-kind! Have a good weekend!
Bigfoot in the Media
The Anomalist treats us to a wealth of Bigfoot (and related) stories:
Bigfoot Filmmaker Breaks Silence: John L. Johnsen, the filmmaker behind M. K. Davis’ Bigfoot is a human being film project, has lifted his silence regarding some behind-the-scene details of the promised 2006 documentary. With a follow-up: Bigfoot Filmmaker’s Statement and still more: More Bigfoot Film Leaks. Also, New Myakka “Ape” Video and Save The Zeren.
Bigfoot Filmmaker Breaks Silence: John L. Johnsen, the filmmaker behind M. K. Davis’ Bigfoot is a human being film project, has lifted his silence regarding some behind-the-scene details of the promised 2006 documentary. With a follow-up: Bigfoot Filmmaker’s Statement and still more: More Bigfoot Film Leaks. Also, New Myakka “Ape” Video and Save The Zeren.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Puerto Rican Monsters: On the Horizon
I was chatting with Jon Downes a couple of days ago, and he was telling me that his new book, Island of Paradise (that tells the story of my and Jon's 2004 expedition to Puerto Rico in search of the Chupacabras), will be published within the next couple of weeks. Having read it, and provided end-of-chapter notes, I can safely say that you will not be disappointed by this one. Written in Jon's own unique style, it captures the essence of a monster-driven adventure in exotic locations, and dense rain-forests. And there's a stunning amount of new data to be digested, too. I'll be doing a full review here when it's available.
On the Radio: Monsters of the Deep
You can now find the second-part of my interview on Uncanny Radio (on the subject of strange creatures of the deep) on-line - right here (and with further information here).
Along with hosts Linda Godfrey and Steve Sullivan, I covered a lot of ground, including British Royal Navy files on sea-serpents; various Center for Fortean Zoology expeditions in search of giant fish, lake monsters, and huge eels; and much more. Uncanny Radio is a great show and one I definitely recommend you check-out.
Along with hosts Linda Godfrey and Steve Sullivan, I covered a lot of ground, including British Royal Navy files on sea-serpents; various Center for Fortean Zoology expeditions in search of giant fish, lake monsters, and huge eels; and much more. Uncanny Radio is a great show and one I definitely recommend you check-out.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Sea Serpent News
Coming up here in the next few days will be a Question-and-Answer session between me and Michael A. Woodley, author of the excellent book, In the Wake of Bernard Heuvelmans. If you haven't read the book, you should!
Invasion of the Ants
If these vicious little beasts ended up as gigantic mutant monsters (just like in that old classic 1950s sci-fi/horror movie: Them!), I'd be over the moon! Well, according to some people, that scenario has already come to pass. Bizarre? Definitely! The full story will be revealed in the very near future. Stay Tuned!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Jon Downes: Ready for a Break!
Jon Downes reveals what he's been up to for the last couple of months as far as the Head-Office of the CFZ is concerned, and says:
"This has been a ridiculous year so far! I took on far too much work at the end of 2007 and I just simply haven't stopped. As of today, so far in 2008 we have released ten books, two issues of Exotic Pets, one issue of Animals & Men, five 20-30 minute web-TV shows, fourteen live broadcasts, one full-length documentary (an hour-and-three-quarters), plus I have written original music for most of the above. I am bloody exhausted! However, there is light at the end of the tunnel, and I am nearly in a position where I can rest back on my laurels and shout WOO HOO at my own cleverness."
Here's the rest of Jon's post.
"This has been a ridiculous year so far! I took on far too much work at the end of 2007 and I just simply haven't stopped. As of today, so far in 2008 we have released ten books, two issues of Exotic Pets, one issue of Animals & Men, five 20-30 minute web-TV shows, fourteen live broadcasts, one full-length documentary (an hour-and-three-quarters), plus I have written original music for most of the above. I am bloody exhausted! However, there is light at the end of the tunnel, and I am nearly in a position where I can rest back on my laurels and shout WOO HOO at my own cleverness."
Here's the rest of Jon's post.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Bigfoot Thermals
In a thought-provoking piece, the Blogsquatcher discusses the issue of using thermal imagery to find Bigfoot. No luck yet. But why?
NEW BOOK - COMING SOON!
Very soon, I'll have details available of my new cryptozoology book. Stay tuned...
X-Monsters and Official Files
The new issue of Taps Paramagazine includes an article from me on British official (military, government and police) files relating to sightings of unknown animals. Titled The Creature Files, the article focuses on real X-Files on the Loch Ness Monster, big cats, sea-serpents and more. Maybe it's time for us to start sending out Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to the FBI, CIA, etc. to see what they have? The results might be surprising...As I note in the article:
"Replying in 2006 to a FOIA request from a member of the public with an interest in big cat sightings seen in the county of Hampshire, England between 1995 and 2005, the county’s Police Force released secret files that stated: 'Hampshire’s Constabulary’s Air Support Unit has been deployed to assist with the following reports: January 1995 – Black Panther like animal seen in Eastleigh. Two likely heat sources found by the aircraft, but nothing found by ground troops. March 1995 – Black Puma like animal seen in Winchester. One heat source found that could not be classified by the aircraft crew, kept running off from searching officers, search eventually abandoned.'"
And that's just the tip of the iceberg...
Friday, May 9, 2008
Monster Links
Here's a stack of great links over at The Anomalist:
"Black Lions Prowling. Are big black lions prowling the streets of Matsulu township near Nelspruit, South Africa? Melanistic lions are unknown to science, 'But, although it's hard to believe, you don't just dismiss these kind of things.' With images. Also, Sasquatch Assault, Jesus and Bigfoot, New Messin' With Sasquatch Commercials and Other 2008 Conferences."
"Black Lions Prowling. Are big black lions prowling the streets of Matsulu township near Nelspruit, South Africa? Melanistic lions are unknown to science, 'But, although it's hard to believe, you don't just dismiss these kind of things.' With images. Also, Sasquatch Assault, Jesus and Bigfoot, New Messin' With Sasquatch Commercials and Other 2008 Conferences."
Crypto Interview On-Line
Earlier this week, I was interviewed by Ghost-Mysteries.com about my research into cryptozoology and UFOs. The interview has now been posted online and can be found here. We discuss a variety of crypto-related issues, including how I got interested in crypto, Mothman, Owlman, Megalania, the British Bigfoot, sea-serpents, the paranormal aspects of the subject and much more. Hope you enjoy it!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Uncanny Radio: Loch Ness Online
Last week, I was interviewed on Uncanny Radio (by hosts Linda Godfrey and Steve Sullivan) on the subject of the Loch Ness Monster. It was a lively debate about what the monster might be (and what it might not be!), with various theories, case-histories, and the issue of a possible paranormal angle to the beast, all discussed. The interview is now online right here.
Platypus Mysteries...
It's not a monster, but it's seriously weird-looking: it's the platypus. A truly strange creature and an appropriately strange story!
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
On the Radio Tonight...
I'll be speaking on Uncanny Radio tonight on the subject of lake-monsters and sea-serpents. This is the second part of a two-part interview that began last week. Check out this link for times and how to listen to the show.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
The Goat-Sucker: On the Rampage...
From the good folk at The Anomalist:
"Argentina: Chupacabras Changes Diet Inexplicata.
"The location: Rosario, Argentina. The time: the early morning hours last Thursday. The crime: one of two dogs on a residential terrace is completely drained of blood with a single wound to the throat and no bloodstains around it. The other dog is unharmed. The question: has the chupacabras, or 'goat sucker,' changed its diet?"
"Argentina: Chupacabras Changes Diet Inexplicata.
"The location: Rosario, Argentina. The time: the early morning hours last Thursday. The crime: one of two dogs on a residential terrace is completely drained of blood with a single wound to the throat and no bloodstains around it. The other dog is unharmed. The question: has the chupacabras, or 'goat sucker,' changed its diet?"
Monday, May 5, 2008
Guyana 2007: The Documentary Film
This is a film you're definitely going to want to watch: a full-length, one-hour and forty-minute documentary on the Center for Fortean Zoology's expedition to Guyana late last year in search of giant-snakes, hairy man-beasts, and much more. As these many and varied links demonstrate, the expedition was as hazardous as it was eventful, adventurous and illuminating.CFZ Director, Jon Downes, says: "At last! The Guyana movie - our first feature-length documentary was finished a week ago, and it has taken this long for me to get it online. I am very proud of the results, and I hope that you enjoy it as well...."
This is a big achievement for the CFZ and bodes very well for the future, in terms of chronicling -in full-length on-screen format - the activities of the group's adventurers when they embark upon expeditions to far-off lands in search of monstrous beasts.
Creatures of Indiana
Ever wondered what kind of weird creatures might be roaming around in Indiana? If the answer to that question is "Yes," here's the book for you!
Monster Artwork!
This great piece of artwork of a glowing-red-eyed Bigfoot was recently done for me by a very skilled artist named Simon Wyatt. Si will be following up with his own unique renditions of other mysterious beasts, including the Owlman and the Goatman.
Check out his work at http://www.comicspace.com/simonwyatt/; at http://simonwyatt.blogspot.com/; and at http://community.imaginefx.com/fxpose/simon_wyatts_portfolio/default.aspx
Friday, May 2, 2008
Mothman Shopping
And while we're still on the topic of Mothman, check out the Mothman Lair, where you can purchase cool Mothman-themed t-shirts, sweat-shirts, buttons, magnets, bumper-stickers, mugs and much more.As Jeff Mardis, owner of Mothman Lair, says:
"Welcome to THE MOTHMAN LAIR, your home for the largest selection of Mothman t-shirts, gifts and specialty merchandise on the web. In November of 1966 and for the next 13 months following, Point Pleasant, West Virginia was visited by strange, unexplained phenomena, lights in the night sky and mysterious men dressed all in black. To this day it is not known 'what' exactly happened there, but many of the local citizens will never forget the bizarre, flying phantom that birthed an American urban monster legend ... the MOTHMAN! We add new Mothman products to our design inventory regularly, so don't forget to add us to your bookmarks page and thanks so much for visiting with us."
Personally, I'd like a cool pair of Mothman-style glowing red eyes! Jeff...?
Dreams and Warnings: Mothman Style
Regan Lee reveals the details of her latest encounter with Mothman in the dream-state.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Humanzees
Over at The Gralien Report, Micah Hanks discusses the controversial issue of "Humanzees" - alleged human-ape hybrids. Check it out.
Hot-Spots and Strange Creatures
Lisa Shiel discusses (and includes a link to a very interesting article from Regan Lee) paranormal hot-spots and their links to cryptozoology.