Friday, February 26, 2010

Bigfoot Anomalies

Over at UFOMystic, good friend Greg Bishop expands on one of the Blogsquatcher's posts, demonstrating some distinct high-strangeness in the world of Bigfoot.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Crittrers at The Anomalist

Over at The Anomalist, you can find links to all the following, new stories. There's some good material here:

Mysterious Footprints in South Carolina Cryptozoology Online. Photographs show a series of apparently three-toed tracks in the snow that are puzzling those trying to figure out just what kind of animal could have left them. Do you have any ideas? Elsewhere, Dr. Karl Shuker produces some photos of winged cats and a bit of Turkish text he's hoping someone can translate in Translating a Turkish Delight...or Two. Meanwhile, a 101-year-old edition of a newspaper prompts this report: Muirhead's Mysteries: A Living Dinosaur from Idaho 1909?

Man-eater or Only Killer? Cryptozoology Online. Not all unknown lifeforms inhabiting Earth are animals; some are from the plant world, fitting into a cryptobotany mold instead of cryptozoology. Such is the subject covered here by Ivan Mackerle as he calls on historical accounts that seem to have originated in the late years of the 19th century and still persist today. Mackerle describes what has been reported about Madagascar's man-eating trees in the past and describes his own dangerous quest to find these mysterious trees. Meanwhile, some commentary is generated by a 'Giant' Anaconda Picture that probably owes its supposed gargantuan size to the nearness of the camera, and Lindsay Selby points out how a 1993 sighting of one of the world's most famous cryptids differs from other reports of the creature in Nessie Sighting?

Paranatural and the Chupacabras

A couple of months ago a team came to interview me at home from the National Geographic Channel's new series Paranatural, which had its debut last night. The subject of the interview: the controversy surrounding the Chupacabras - both the Puerto Rican originals and the so-called Texas Chupacabras that have been in the news so much lately.

Well, last night I was lecturing for the San Antonio, Texas MUFON on the subject of my new Contactees book, and I crashed out after the show at the home of good friend Ken Gerhard (who lives in San Antonio), who was also filmed for Paranatural. So, after the lecture, we headed back to Ken's and sat back to watch the show.

I thought they did a good job of looking into the controversies surrounding the Texas beast and the Puerto Rican critter.

And, if you missed the show, check your TV listings for when the show might be repeated: Paranatural, on the National Geographic Channel.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Going Offline

I'll be offline from now until Wednesday, but will be back blogging then, and also giving you news about Jon Downes' forthcoming trip to Texas. Stay tuned!

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Hairy Giants: A New Book




Yetis, Sasquatch and Hairy Giants is a new book from David Hatcher Childress. I haven't seen it yet; but here's what the publisher has to say about the book; and I'll do a full review soon as I've read it. Here's what the publisher has to say:

Author and adventurer David Hatcher Childress takes the reader on a fantastic journey across the Himalayas to Europe and North America in his quest for Yeti, Sasquatch and Hairy Giants. Childress begins with his own decades-long quest for the Yeti in Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan and other areas of the Himalayas, and then proceeds to his research into Bigfoot, Sasquatch and Skunk Apes in North America. He includes recent discoveries in the field of Yeti and Bigfoot research, as well important case histories. Tons of illustrations and a color photo section bring the astonishing subject to life!

Chapters include: The Call of the Yeti; Abominable Snowmen of Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan; The Wild Hairy Man of Mongolia; Legends and Lore of Giants; On the Trail of the Sasquatch; Ivan Marx and the Legend of Bigfoot; The Du Pont Monster and Bigfoot in the Midwest; Something Watching in the Woods; and more.

David Hatcher Childress, known as the real-life Indiana Jones to the many fans of his books, is a captivating speaker and the author or coauthor of over 20 books. He has traveled the world several times over, seeking adventure and the answers to the mysteries of mankind s past. Born in France in 1957 and raised in the mountains of Colorado and Montana, David s curiosity about the world was piqued at a young age. After more than 20 years of investigating these arcane subjects, David finds his unique views and ideas gaining popularity. He has appeared on numerous television shows.

Sea-Serpents

There are a couple of new posts of the sea-serpent variety at the CFZ blog: this one from Lindsay Selby, and the other from Richard Muirhead. They both deal with old reports, but contain some fascinating data!

British Beast-Men

Over at my "British Bigfoot" blog, you can find a new, and fascinating, post from Neil Arnold on the hairy beast-men of Sussex, England - demonstrating that, like much of Britain, Sussex is a seriously weird and paranormal place!

Here's the link.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

The Phantom Bread-Maker

Yes, you did read the headline right! This actually has nothing to do with cryptozoology; but, frankly, I don't know where else to post it! In darkest Cornwall, England a mysterious bread-maker is on the loose, calling on unsuspecting local folk, and delivering his or her wares...

Madagascar Mysteries

Dr. Karl Shuker has an excellent new post at his Shuker Nature blog on the mystyerious creatures of Madagascar.

As Karl says:

"The fourth largest island in the world, Madagascar is a veritable miniature continent, brimming with extraordinary animals found nowhere else in the world, including such exotic avifauna as vangas and neodrepanidids, remarkable reptiles that include boas more closely-related to counterparts in South America than to any Old Word snakes plus the world’s greatest diversity of chameleons, and, most famous of all, its wonderful assemblage of lemurs and exotic striped civets. Yet as if all of these were not exciting enough, only a few centuries ago in some cases this zoological treasure trove of endemics also boasted some truly astonishing animals – and none more so than its impressive number of giant lemurs far bigger than anything known to exist today. Today, of course, these creatures are long gone – or are they? Read this investigation of Madagascar’s most astonishing mystery beasts – and decide for yourself."

And here's the rest of Karl's post, which is a great read.

Eels in the Loch

Lindsay Selby has another good post over at the main CFZ blog in England: this one is on the theory that the creatures of Loch Ness may be over-sized eels. This is an interesting argument, and one that seems to be gaining a lot of support and strength: certainly both Jon Downes and Richard Freeman have suggested strongly that some of the on-going lake-monster traditions and sightings in Britain could be due to the presence of monster-eels in certain bodies of water.

Of course, the notion of huge eels in Loch Ness may not have the allure that the image of a colony of survivors from the era of the dinosaurs provokes, but - I would strongly argue - if you ever come face to face with a 25-foot-long eel, you're unlikely to quibble over whether it's a monster or not!

Here's the link to Lindsay's post, which contains some good, historical data on the subject-matter.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Cat-Blogging

This is excellent news: good mate Neil Arnold has just set up four new blogs devoted to big-cat research in Britain. As you'll see from the links below, Neil's new blogs are focused on big-cat activity, reports, sightings and breaking-news from the English counties of Surrey, Sussex and Kent - as well as in the general southeast part of the country.

If you've read Neil's book The Mystery Animals of the British Isles: Kent, you'll know how deeply he has dug into the big-cat controversy in his home-county of Kent; and doubtless we'll see equally good material at the blogs. Be sure to regularly check them out!

http://www.surreypuma.blogspot.com/

http://www.sussexbigcats.blogspot.com/

http://www.bigcatsinkent.blogspot.com/

http://www.bigcatsinthesoutheast.blogspot.com/

And if you're interested in hearing Neil speak about his research into mysterious animals, out-of-place creatures and more, here's a list of his upcoming gigs in England:


Tuesday 16th February 2010 - 7:00pm - Eastchurch Gardening Club, Village Hall, Warden Rd, Sheppey.

Thursday 18th February 2010 - 7:30 pm - Rodmersham WI, Rodmersham Village Hall.

Tuesday 23rd February 2010 - 10:00 am - Bexley NHS Retirement Fellowship, Social Club, Calvert Drive, Bexley.

Wednesday 24th February 2010 - 2:00pm - Dartford KARF, Brent Methodist Church Hall, St Vincents Rd, Dartford, Kent, DA1 1XF

Wednesday 3rd March 2010 - 2:00pm - Gravesham Ladies Club, Christ Church Hall, Old Rd East, DA12 1NR,

Wednesday 3rd March 2010 - 8:00pm - Matfield WI, Matfield Village Hall.

Monday 8th March 2010 - 7:30 pm - London Monster Walk - Meet at outside Starbucks next to Holborn Viaduct.

Tuesday 9th March 2010 - 8:30pm - Halstead WI, Halstead Village Hall, Sevenoaks, Kent.

Wednesday 10th March 2010 - 2:00pm - Ashford ARA, Centrepiece, Bank Street, Ashford, Kent.

Monday 15th March 2010 - 8:00pm - Allington Castle WI, Palace Wood School, Allington, Maidstone.

Tuesday 16th March 2010 - 2:00pm - Meopham ARA, Meopham Village Hall, Wrotham Rd, Meopham, Kent.

Tuesday 16th March 2010 - 8:00pm - Joydens Wood WI, Community Centre, Birchwood Drive, Joydens Wood.

Wednesday 17th March 2010 - 2:00pm - Faversham ARA, United Church, Preston Street, Faversham, Kent.

Wednesday 17th March 2010- 8:15pm - Detling WI, Detling Village Hall, Maidstone, Kent.

Thursday 18th March 2010 - 7:30pm - NW Kent Group of the Wildlife Trust, Mick Jagger Centre, Dartford Boys Grammar School, Shepherds Lane, Dartford.

Saturday 20th March 2010 - 11:00am - Gravesend Info Centre, 18a St George's Square, Gravesend, Kent, DA11 0TB.

Tuesday 23rd March 2010 - 7:30pm - Explorer Scout Unit, Guzzlebrooke (awaiting details)

Wednesday 24th March 2010 - 10:00am - Crayford Probus Club, VCD Athletic Club, Old Rd, Crayford, Kent, DA1 4DN.

Wednesday 24th March 2010 - 8:15pm - Aylesford WI, Brassey Centre, Aylesford, Kent.

Thursday 25th March 2010 - 2:15pm - Hans Volunteer Group Gillingham, Millennium Centre, Rainham.

Thursday 1st April 2010 - 8:30 pm - Cuxton WI, St Michaels Church Hall, Cuxton.

Tuesday 6th April 2010 - 1:30om - 55+ Fellowship, Wyvern Hall, Sittingbourne.

Monday 12th April 2010 - 1:45pm - Sole Street Monday Club, St Mary's Church, Manor Rd, Sole Street.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Kithra and "Homins"

Over at her blog, Kithra goes hunting for strange creatures all around the world - including the "Homins"...

Bewitching Hour Radio

Last week I was interviewed on Bewitching Hour Radio, where we chatted about my investigations of the Chupacabras; my various expeditions to Puerto Rico in search of the beasts; eye-witness testimony; the theories regarding what the creatures may be; and the controversy surrounding the so-called Texas Chupacabras.

Here's the link to the episode.

Werewolves & Shapeshifters

From the always-reliable Anomalist:

Werewolves, Wolfmen, and Shapeshifters Haunted America Tours. Alyne A. Pustanio begins this examination of "Fearsome Creatures on the Edge of Nightmare" with a recounting of what was reportedly told to an official inquiry held by the Inquisitor-General for a French diocese in December of 1521. Pustanio relates "The Confession of Pierre Bourgot" who claimed he and an accomplice, using a salve given to them by agents of Satan, were able to change into werewolves and terrorize the countryside. Bourgot's cohort reportedly agreed with Bourgot's description of the pair's transformation and ghastly deeds. But that doesn't end Pustanio's examination of lycanthropy during the years when witchcraft and devilish deeds were suspected in every corner of Europe. Do these tales hold true evidence of werewolves during the Middle Ages? With artwork by Ricardo Pustanio and an excerpt from Brad Steiger's The Werewolf Book: The Encyclopedia of Shape-Shifting Beings.

Great Snakes!

Lindsay Selby on Giant Anacondas...

Jon D Comes to the USA

It's been a while, but good mate and head-honcho of the CFZ, Jon Downes is coming over to the US again in a couple of weeks! He'll be staying with the CFZ's Texas reps, Richie and Naomi West, and there will be a series of investigations into those pesky, hairless whatsits that have become known as Blue-Dogs or the Texas Chupacabras; several lectures at which Jon will be speaking about his research; and a few days to hang out and catch up with old friends.

And here's Naomi to tell you more...

Friday, February 12, 2010

Solomon Islands Mysteries

Just recently, I was sent a review-copy of a new book: Solomon Islands Mysteries by Marius Boirayon (which is published by Adventures Unlimited), and which contains a substantial amount of data on Bigfoot-type creatures. I've just started digging into the book, and will be doing a full-review as soon as I have finished it.

Today's Anomalist

Check out today's Anomalist for the latest on Bigfoot and Nessie...

The Cumbria Creature

Lindsay Selby has been doing some very interesting posts lately; but this is one I find especially intriguing: the story of a large animal seen in an English lake: Wastwater. From Lindsay's report, it looks like the perfect place to launch a new investigation for unknown water-based beasts.

The Cannock Wolf

As you'll know I always try and keep my eye on what's afoot back in England, and particularly within the creature-infested Cannock Chase woods, close to which I used to live. And, here's the latest from the area: more on the sightings of a wolf-like creature that seems to be roaming the area...

Thursday, February 11, 2010

The City Park Thing

Over at Haunted America Tours there's a new, and very weird, account of an equally weird critter. Very interesting reading!

Oll's Latest Q&A

The CFZ's Oll Lewis continues his plans to place the entire crypto research community under the microscope: his latest interviewee is Australian Tania Poole, who I got to hang out with for a couple of days at the 2006 Weird Weekend gig.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Bigfoot Weirdness

The Blogsquatcher has an excellent new post that discusses some of the weirder aspects of the Bigfoot controversy, including those pesky glowing eyes and the apparent ability of the beast to affect electrical systems. Check it out!

A New CFZ Book

Good news! The publication of the next edition of the bound-issues of the CFZ's in-house magazine is imminent, as Jon D tells us:

"New Horizons, the fourth volume of reprints of Animals & Men, the journal of the Centre for Fortean Zoology is in production now. It will be published in the next few weeks. Although the magazines are reproduced largely in facsimile, formatting errors which were inherent in the original productions (and which have been copied in all reprints to date) have been fixed, so for the first time you can read them the way that they were intended to be read.

"The original versions of these five issues (Spring 1998 to summer 1999) were particularly badly formatted, mainly due to the boys of the CFZ not knowing how to use their new PC, and so it is good to have these errors fixed at last. The volume also includes an essay by Richard Freeman about his early days at the CFZ, and explanatory notes for each volume by Jon Downes, placing them into historical perspective

"It will be £12.50 (no price rise since 1995) plus postage and packing. However, if you pre-order here and pay using paypal at the special low price of a tenner, you will receive it - post free - in early March."

For more details, see: http://forteanzoology.blogspot.com/

Monday, February 8, 2010

Bigfoot on Film...

Good friend Kithra comments on the on-going "Thermal Bigfoot" video controversy...

Anomalist Reminders

Don't forget to keep checking The Anomalist. They have had links to some good material in the last few days: Brad Steiger and werewolves; a new one from Micah Hanks on Ufological jelly-fish; a post on the Thylacine and much more.

A Florida River Monster

The latest from Lindsay Selby:

Between 1955 and 1961, there were reports in Florida newspapers, of a creature in the St. Johns River. The reports came from a variety of people from fishermen who made their living there and from visitors and new residents. They all reported seeing a large creature but some said it was like a dinosaur, some like a giant manatee. Most sightings occurred between Astor Park and Lake Monroe, the majority at Blue Spring. (this is important to note you will see why at the end of the posting)

One Lake County man claimed to have seen the monster on land grazing on plants. He reported that the monster left a beaten down path through the bushes. The animal's skin was described as elephant-like and grey coloured. Two bass fisherman claimed that the monster had almost tipped over their boat.

In 1975, Five people in a fishing boat were frightened on the morning of May 10 on St. Johns River near Jacksonville. They claimed to have seen a dragon-like creature, that reared its head from the river, then disappeared into the deep water. It was described as having a head like a giant snail, with two horns.

And here's the link to the rest of Lindsay's post. Check it out (and her other posts at the CFZ blog - she's been posting some good stuff in the last few weeks).

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Richard Muirhead Q&A

The CFZ's Oll Lewis continues his Q&A project with those within Ufology. Today it's Richard Muirhead.

Bigfoot Thermal Video

As The Anomalist notes today:

The Blogsquatcher has a link to a thermal video of a possible Bigfoot sighting from last year and an embedded comparison video using a human stand-in: Thermal Video Now Available. Key quote: "(W)hatever that is in the video certainly looks squatchy."

Monday, February 1, 2010

The Island of Blood

Back in late 2005, I traveled to Puerto Rico with good friend, Canadian Paul Kimball of Red Star Films, and his crew, which consisted of Paul's brother Jim, John Rosborough, and Findlay Muir.

The purpose of the week-long trek was to make a film - road-trip-style - that would see me and Puerto Rican Orlando Pla (a local expert on the beast) on a quest for the truth about the monstrous thing said to be roaming the island: namely, the Chupacabras.

Well, I'm pleased to say, the production - titled The Island of Blood - is now available as a 3-part installment, which you can find below.

Enjoy or be very afraid!

Click here for more information on The Island of Blood and Red Star Films.

And as Paul himself says: "It's always fun when I have a new film that premieres, and today is no exception. This time it's not on television (although it will probably wind up there in one form or another at some point), or in the theater, or the other usual media - nope, this time it's right here, free of charge, direct to you. The Island of Blood is a low budget, lo-fi, slightly tongue-in-cheek, mostly serious look at the chupacabra phenomonon in Puerto Rico with my good pal Nick Redfern and Puerto Rican researcher Orlando Pla. It also features interviews with real witnesses, and an official government investigator of the phenomenon."


Part 1:



Part 2:



Part 3:

The Canvey Island Creature...

Lindsay Selby digs into a strange story from the 1950s...

Brad Steiger: Werewolves

A link at The Anomalist to a good new post from Brad Steiger:

Return of the Werewolf Haunted America Tours: Brad Steiger, author of The Werewolf Book: An Encyclopedia of Shape-Shifting Beings and the dean of high strangeness authors, admits to being a werewolf fan as he helps set the stage for next month's eagerly anticipated release of what is sure to be another Hollywood blockbuster starring Benicio Del Toro and Anthony Hopkins. As the theater release date, February 12, 2010, draws near, Steiger prepares those who will vicariously visit the world of the lycanthrope by revisiting the werewolf references, through the pages of arcane books of knowledge, detailing different methods in which one could become a werewolf through the use of various rituals. Along the way, there are video trailers for the new film "Wolf Man" and famous werewolf movies of the past intermixed with the fearsome artwork of Ricardo Pustanio. Also included is a video about the exorcism of a werewolf and a review of Steiger's The Werewolf. What will you be doing the next time the wolfbane is in bloom and the Moon reaches its full glory?

Note from Nick: There's several good posts at The Anomalist today on Bigfoot, too; so be sure to take a look!

Neil A's Monster Walks...

More from me (over at my Lair of the Beasts column at Mania) on Neil Arnold's Monster-Walks around London....