Field Notes from the Unknown
A podcast about your favorite neighborhood cryptid.
On this weeks (late) episode Mackenzie tells us about the creepy world of Black Eyed Kids. 👀 Who are these mysterious children, where did the stories come from, and why does everyone seem to agree that you should NEVER let them inside? We explore reported encounters, possible origins, historical connections, and some of the theories surrounding these unsettling little visitors..
What do you get when you mix a bizarre 1925 sighting of a giant space clam with the mysteries of cryptids and UFOs? One strange conversation! 🛸🐚 In this we explore the story behind this unusual sighting and dive into the theories surrounding unexplained creatures and possible encounters with the unknown. From strange sightings to questions about what might be hiding beyond our understanding, we take a look at the mysteries that keep people wondering what’s really out there.
🦇🌴 This week we’re heading to Papua New Guinea to investigate the Ropen! 👀 This mysterious flying cryptid is said to have some pretty unusual characteristics, with sightings that make you wonder what exactly people are seeing out there. Is the Ropen an undiscovered creature, a case of mistaken identity, or something weirder? 🤔 What would you rate the Ropen on the believability scale?
In this episode, we’re heading down to Georgia to dive into the Alamahaha, exploring its history, reported sightings, and encounters that have kept this river monster part of Georgia folklore for generations. From historical accounts to more modern reports, we look at what people claim to have seen and whether there could be something lurking beneath the water. Is the Alamahaha an undiscovered aquatic creature, a misidentified animal, or just another legend that refuses to go away? 👀 And, of course, we have to ask: What would you rate the Alamahaha on the believability scale? 🐉
This week’s episode is a short one, with Mackenzie bringing us the legend of the Gray Man of Pawleys Island. 👻🌊 According to legend, seeing the Gray Man is actually a warning and supposedly a sign that you should get out of town before the storm hits. 🌪️ We dive into the history of the legend, reported sightings, different interpretations of who or what the Gray Man might be, and why his story has continued to stick around for generations. So, is the Gray Man a ghost, a warning passed down through generations, or something else entirely?
In this episode, we’re heading down a rabbit hole involving the Smithsonian Institution, alleged giant skeleton discoveries, and one very big question: Is the Smithsonian hiding evidence of giants? 👀 We explore reports of giant skeletons discovered across the United States, including historical accounts, strange case files, and claims that some discoveries were investigated or handled by the Smithsonian. We also dig into Native American legends and stories describing encounters with giants, and how these accounts have become part of the larger mystery. Join us as we sort through the reports, the legends, and the conspiracy theories surrounding the Smithsonian and the alleged existence of giants. And naturally, we start making plans for a Smithsonian field trip. 😂
This week Mackenzie is going to tell us about Thunderbirds! 🦅 But first, Mackenzie gives us the rundown on her trip to Phenomecon before we dive into the strange stories surrounding these massive, legendary birds. Of course, Casey has her own thoughts… including trying to convince Mackenzie that getting picked up by a Thunderbird might not actually be that bad. Needless to say, Mackenzie was not convinced. And because Kit refuses to let us record an episode without her, you may hear a little background commentary from her throughout the episode. 🐾😂 What would you rate the Thunderbirds?
In this episode, we take a few unexpected side roads before heading into the folklore surrounding one of the strangest creatures from the Potomac River Valley. 🐺👀 We start things off talking about cryptid-themed games and products, folklore, superstitions, and, of course, our shared love for animals. Because apparently, we can’t stay on topic for too long. 😂 Eventually, we make our way to the Snarly Yow a mysterious, dog-like creature said to haunt the Potomac River Valley. We dive into reported sightings, battlefield legends, Civil War-era hauntings, and encounters that continued even after the war. But what exactly is the Snarly Yow? Is it a supernatural creature, a ghostly apparition, an unusually large animal, or something else entirely? What would you rate it on the believability scale? 👀🐾
Mackenzie’s Bigfoot mini-series has taken us all over and into some seriously strange woods. 👣🌲 From the Grassman of the Midwest to the Skunk Ape hiding in the Florida Everglades, we’ve explored stories of massive, hairy creatures, mysterious footprints, strange vocalizations, and encounters that leave people wondering what they really saw. Then we headed to the Pacific Northwest, Bigfoot’s unofficial home turf, to dive into famous stories like the Battle of Ape Canyon, Sasquatch nests, giant footprints, Paul Freeman’s controversial encounters, the Sierra Sounds, and of course… Patty. 👀 Along the way, we’ve asked some big questions: What would it actually take to prove Bigfoot is real? Could these sightings be misidentified animals, elaborate hoaxes, or evidence of something still hiding out there? So, on a believability scale what do you rate bigfoot? 👣
In this episode, we head to the mountains of California to explore the mysterious legend of the Dark Watchers. 👀⛰️ These strange, towering figures are said to silently watch travelers from distant mountain peaks before disappearing without a trace. But what exactly are people seeing? Join us as we explore the folklore, theories, and strange encounters surrounding one of California's most unsettling mysteries. Would you want to encounter a Dark Watcher on a lonely mountain trail?
In this episode, Mackenzie continues her Bigfoot adventure with a trip to the Pacific Northwest! One of the most famous Bigfoot hotspots in the world. 👣🌲 We start with some fall vibes before jumping into the age-old question: what would it actually take to prove Sasquatch is a real species? Spoiler alert... that conversation gets a little controversial. We also dive into Paul Freeman's controversial encounters and footage, the origins of the name "Bigfoot" in Northern California, and the strange Sierra Sounds. Is Bigfoot hiding in the forests... or have we just gotten really good at telling stories about something lurking out there? 👀 YouTubehttps://share.google/pjGis6cUv5vA2Yw6G
In this episode, we dive into the mysterious legend of the Water Babies of the American West, exploring their folklore, stories, and spiritual significance. 🌊 And no, these aren't the Water Babies you hear about in children's stories… and they definitely aren't cute. 😳 Are they dangerous creatures, spiritual beings, or something else entirely? You tell us what do you think the Water Babies really are?
In this episode, Mackenzie continues her Bigfoot adventure with a possible Desert Bigfoot! 🌵👣 We head into the desert Southwest to explore Bigfoot reports from places like Arizona and New Mexico. And because you know how our conversations go… somehow we end up imagining a Bigfoot bodybuilding competition in an alternate universe. 😂💪 Oh, and did we just discover… Vampire Bigfoot?! 🧛♂️👣 You tell us what would you rate the Bigfoots in this episode?
Ever had a moment in the woods where you felt like something was watching? 👀 This legendary North American cryptid is said to stay invisible, lurking behind trees or rocks, yet always watching. It’s described as a tall, slender, almost-human predator with long dark fur, a tail, and glowing eyes that only appear in darkness. These stories keep loggers safe and conjure the wildest fears of being alone in the woods. But also.....they make you think....what’s out there hiding in plain sight? Hidebehind - Wikipedia https://www.cryptidophilia.com/hidebehind-cryptid/ Hidebehind | Cryptid Wiki | Fandom Hidebehind: American Lumberjack Monster Folklore - Connect Paranormal Blog Beware the Hidebehind: Elusive Forest Predator Legend The Hidebehind: History and Curse of America’s Shadow Predator | Tasarla Romaney The Hidebehind Hidebehind: The Unseen Predator of Lumberjack Lore Hidebehind - Forest Shadow Predator from North American Tales The Woods Devil - Is It Real?
Quick heads up: We ran into a few technical issues during the first couple of minutes, so thanks for bearing with us! This week, we're heading into the swamps, forests, and river bottoms of the American South in search of one of its most infamous cryptids the Fouke Monster, a.k.a. the Beast of Boggy Creek. 👣 It all starts with a terrifying encounter in 1971 when a woman wakes up to a hairy hand reaching through her window. From there, the sightings explode, giant footprints, bounty hunters, mysterious smells, and enough eyewitnesses to keep the legend alive for decades. But the Fouke Monster isn't alone... Which Southern Bigfoot do you find the most believable? And what would you rate them? 👀 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fouke_Monster https://kpel965.com/texas-bigfoot-the-hawley-him/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honey_Island_Swamp_monster https://thomascrone.substack.com/p/chatawa-some-kind-of-monster
This time we're heading deep into the Ozark Mountains to track down the legendary Ozark Howler. Is it a bear? A giant black cat? A horned wolf? Or something no one's been able to explain? And somewhere along the way... Casey may have gotten a little confused and thought Alien Big Cats (ABCs) meant cats from outer space instead of "alien" as in a non-native species. 😂 Let's just say things got a little extraterrestrial for a minute. Ozark Howler - Wikipedia Ozark Howler | Cryptid Wiki | Fandom Ozark Howler: Folklore or Fable? Exploring the Legend - Connect Paranormal Blog The Ozark Howler: Mysterious Beast of the Mountains - Beast of Bladenboro The Ozark Howler: Missouri's Other Monster | Puget Sound Monster Club Ozark Howler: Horned Beast of the American Ozarks - What if Monsters Ozark Howler: The Horned Cryptid of the Ozark Mountains – Strange & Twisted The Ozarks Howler: Missouri Cryptid Legend | Arkansas Folklore Creatures
On Monday's episode, Mackenzie continues her Bigfoot mini-series with a trip through the Northeast. 👣🌲 It all starts with a terrifying encounter at an abandoned Boy Scout camp in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts, where four friends came face-to-face with a towering, red-eyed creature lurking just beyond their campfire. From Massachusetts and Maine to Vermont, New York, and even Pennsylvania, we explore some of the most chilling Bigfoot sightings in the region. What do you rate the monster of the North Woods? https://www.pennlive.com/wildaboutpa/2015/06/bigfoot_sightings_reported_for.html https://newengland.com/yankee/history/bigfoot-sighting-berkshires/ Reddithttps://share.google/OD0Vjtr0ppTr6ftja https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Kinderhook_Blob https://www.concordmonitor.com/2016/07/16/bigfoot-hunters-come-to-new-hampshire-tom-biscardi-searching-for-sasquatch-3451677/
On Monday's episode, we're heading deep into the Appalachian Mountains of North Georgia to unravel one of the region's oldest mysteries... 🌙⛰️ Who built the mysterious stone wall at Fort Mountain? And who were the legendary Moon-Eyed People said to have lived there long before the Cherokee arrived? Were they a real, forgotten people? A piece of Cherokee oral tradition? Or just another Appalachian legend that refuses to die? What do you rate the Moon-Eyed People? The Moon Eyed People and the Fort Mountain Wall: Legend, Stone, and Cherokee Memory - Appalachianhistorian.org The Moon-Eyed People of the Appalachian Mountains: A Lost Race of the South Moon-eyed people - Wikipedia
Ever wonder what could be hiding in the Florida Everglades? 🐊🌿 This week, we're diving into the legend of the Skunk Ape. Is it just an escaped exotic animal... or something else roaming Florida's vast, undeveloped wilderness? Mackenzie continues her Bigfoot mini-series with one of the most famous Bigfoot-like cryptids in the country. What do you think the Skunk Ape really is? 👣 https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/social-sciences-and-humanities/skunk-ape-cryptozoology https://miamihaunts.com/the-everglades-skunk-ape/ https://www.skunkape.info/ https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Skunk_Ape https://blog.nwf.org/2026/05/youve-heard-of-bigfoot-what-about-floridas-skunk-ape/ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/trail-floridas-bigfoot-skunk-ape-180949981/ https://www.countere.com/home/floridas-bigfoot-everglades-dave-shealy-legend-of-the-skunk-ape
Happy Pride, everyone! 🌈 Starting this episode off with a side conversation: How do you think cryptids would identify? Let us know in the comments! This week, we dive into the legend of the Qallupilluit, an Inuit myth said to snatch children away beneath the ice. Often described as a terrifying mermaid or Arctic boogeyman, no one really knows what happens to the children it takes... So what do you think? Is the Qallupilluit a grieving spirit searching for lost children, or a demonic entity that takes them to stay young? And most importantly, what would you rate the Qallupilluit? Qallupilluit - Wikipedia What is the Qallupilluit in Inuit mythology? | Mythology Planet .: INUIT MYTHOLOGY:. Inuit Stories – Qallupilluit | Tia and Piujuq Qallupilluit : The Humming Troll - Mythlok Qallupilluit | Cryptid Wiki | Fandom