The word “cryptozoology” is one
that often leaves people scratching their heads. Simply put it’s a
pseudo-science devoted to the study of creatures that may
exist, but haven’t been proven to exist. Most commonly,
Bigfoot and the Lochness Monster spring to mind. I love reading up on
cryptozoology, urban legends and myth, so I thought I’d share my
Top Ten:
1. The MothmanI spent three
years researching this winged “cryptid” including visiting the
area where he was sighted in 1966-67, so of course he gets the number
one position! My Point Pleasant Series incorporates the mythology of
the Mothman, UFOs, Men In Black, and an ancient curse.
2. The Lochness Monster I’ve
been fascinated by Nessie since I was a kid. I honestly hope no one
ever discovers she’s “real.” The mystery is far more
compelling.
3. The Van Meter Monster This
gargoyle like creature haunted the town of Van Meter, Iowa during the
autumn of 1903. Most of the eyewitness accounts were made by
businesses men and other professionals who couldn’t afford to be
viewed as “crackpots,” thus lending credence to the sightings.
4. Jellyfish of the Air In
1953 William Reich and an assistant raised an “orgone-charged”
rod into the air in the hopes of attracting invisible beings he
believed co-existed in our in our dimension, but were invisible to
the naked eye. Within five seconds, a huge jellyfish-like creature
attached itself to the rod, becoming visible long enough for Leistig
to capture it in a photograph.
5. The Squonk
I love the
name! This Pennsylvania creature is reputed to be so hideous in
appearance it spends its entire life sobbing and will vanish in a
pool of tears if captured.
6. The Hopkinsville Goblins
Extraterrestrial visitors who descended on the Sutton family
farm in August of 1955, terrorizing the Suttons and their guest. No
evidence of a hoax was ever discovered, causing many to believe the
events an authentic UFO encounter.
7. Men in Black Mysterious
men in black suits descended on the town of Point Pleasant, West
Virginia in 1966-67 with the sole intention of warning UFO witnesses
not to talk about their encounters.
8. Scotland’s Dog Suicide Bridge
Since the 1960s more than fifty dogs have leapt to their
death from the Overtoun Bridge in Scotland. Even stranger, all the
dogs jumped from the exact same spot, and each apparent “suicide”
has occurred on pleasant, sunny days.
9. Ley Lines It’s
believed many of the old places of the Earth resonate with
power—hillforts, crossroads, standing stones and old funerary paths
among them. When these and other “ley markers” align in a
geographical pattern, they create a hypothetical link capable of
releasing powerful energy.
10. The Snallygaster Maryland’s
half-bird/half reptile creature was given enough credence in 1909
that Teddy Roosevelt almost canceled an African Safari to hunt it.
Mae
Clair opened
a Pandora’s Box of characters when she was a child and never looked
back. Her father, an artist who tinkered with writing, encouraged her
to create make-believe worlds by spinning tales of far-off places on
summer nights beneath the stars.
Mae loves creating
character-driven fiction in settings that vary from contemporary to
mythical. Wherever her pen takes her, she flavors her stories with
conflict, romance and elements of mystery. Married to her high school
sweetheart, she lives in Pennsylvania and is passionate about
writing, old photographs, a good Maine lobster tail and cats.
GIVEAWAY
