Field Notes from the Unknown

We kick things off picking our topic… and end up diving deep into the legend of La Llorona 🌙From her tragic origins to the many versions of her story, we explore the Weeping Woman in all her haunting forms ghost, warning, and cultural icon.It gets eerie, emotional, and a little wild.https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/la-lloronahttps://blogs.loc.gov/folklife/2021/10/la-llorona-an-introduction-to-the-weeping-woman/https://www.legendsofamerica.com/gh-lallorona/https://www.britannica.com/topic/La-Lloronahttps://www.latimes.com/delos/story/2023-10-16/la-llorona-mexico-latin-america-horror-folklore

If you don’t want to hear about Mackenzie’s adventure into motherhood… rude 😂 but you can skip to 4 minutes in.This episode of Field Notes from the Unknown, we’re talking about Sinkhole Sam—the giant worm-like creature said to live in Big Sinkhole in Inman, Kansas.Of course, we take a few side roads along the way… from the worm in Beetlejuice to the giant sandworms of Dune…Anyway… what are your thoughts, and what would you rate Sinkhole Sam?

We are heading to the sea today to visit the Gloucester Sea Serpent: a massive, undulating creature seen off Cape Ann with over 1,000 eyewitness accounts dating back to the 1600s.From fishermen tracking it for days to a ship firing a cannon at it, this legend only gets wilder.https://www.mythfolks.com/gloucester-sea-serpenthttps://www.oddthingsiveseen.com/2020/11/long-dark-and-scaly-gloucester-sea.htmlhttps://www.wgbh.org/news/local/2024-05-22/regaling-tales-of-the-gloucester-sea-serpent-a-forgotten-legend-of-cryptozoologyhttps://www.masshist.org/beehiveblog/2019/10/it-appeared-so-strange-and-wonderful/https://www.theothercape.com/blog/serpenthttps://skepticalinquirer.org/2019/09/gloucester-sea-serpent-mystery-solved-after-two-centuries/

Your hosts get a little sidetracked in this one but stick with us, because we dive into the Pigman! 🐷From Vermont to Texas, New York, Georgia and even across the pond to England, this legend pops up everywhere.What would you rate the Pigman?The Terrifying Legend of the Pigman Cryptid – Hangar1publishingPig-Man of Cannock Chase | Cryptid Wiki | FandomPigman of Northfield: The Terrifying Legend of Sam HarrisThe Legend of Pigman – Jason RobertsTop 10 Cryptids Living in England - HubPageshttps://www.spookyisles.com/cannock-chase-pig-man/ Pig-Man on Cannock Chase - Cryptozoology News

In this episode Mackenzie is taking us to Bunny Man Bridge. We are diving into the legend and lore surrounding the Bunny Man, discussing facts and local lore.https://www.roadunraveled.com/blog/bunny-man-bridge-virginia/https://allthatsinteresting.com/bunny-manhttps://www.maloriesadventures.com/blog/the-real-story-behind-virginias-infamous-bunny-man-legendhttps://michaelkleen.com/2020/09/01/beware-the-ax-wielding-bunny-man-of-fairfax-county/ https://research.fairfaxcounty.gov/local-history/bunnyman

In this episode, we discuss the Goat Man, not to be confused with the Sheep Man, a few weeks ago. What story do you think could be a real story? The Hermit, The Sheep Herder, or The Scientist? Or is the Goat Man just a mythical creature? Let us know what you think and leave your field notes below! This Town Has Been Plagued By A Killer ‘Goat Man’ For Half A Century | by ClaireLinic | OMGFacts | MediumThe Goatman of Maryland: Bowie’s Most Terrifying Urban LegendWhat Is The Goatman, The Legendary Half-Man, Half-Goat?Goatman (urban legend) - WikipediaWhat Is The Goatman, The Legendary Half-Man, Half-Goat?The Goatman of Maryland: Bowie’s Most Terrifying Urban LegendThe Legend of Maryland’s Local Cryptid, the Goat ManGoatman | The Strange UnknownMaryland Goatman: The Urban Legend That Will Keep You AwakeThe Goatman of Maryland: Axe-Wielding Horror in the Woods - OddWooThe Goatman of Fletchertown Road - Tour Baltimore GhostsGoatman Revealed: The Untold Secrets Of An Unsolved MysteryThe Goatman: cryptid, mad scientist or preacher with a goat wagon? | Mythfolks

Have you ever wondered if a giant turtle could be living in the US? In small-town Indiana, locals swore they saw a 10-foot snapping turtle, and the hunt for Oscar became legendary.What do you think about Oscar?

In this episode, the hosts dive into the multifaceted figure of the Green Man—a symbol deeply rooted in folklore, nature, and spirituality. They explore his presence across cultures, his role in architecture, and his relevance to modern environmental movements, while reflecting on humanity’s connection to the natural world. Along the way, the conversation takes a few side paths, so fair warning: expect some thoughtful tangents as they unpack the complexities of nature, respect for the earth, and why these themes still matter today.⁠The Legend of the Green Man: A Folklore Tale⁠⁠The Myth of the Green Man in Pagan Traditions⁠

In today's episode, we dive into the infamous Pascagoula alien abduction case involving Charles Hickson and Calvin Parker, one of the most documented encounters of its kind. We unpack the details of the abduction itself, the immediate aftermath, and the intense public skepticism that followed. Despite scrutiny from authorities and doubt from the public, Hickson and Parker’s accounts remained remarkably consistent over the years. Investigators even uncovered additional witnesses who reported seeing the same UFO that night.Pas men 'forced' aboard UFO - Newspapers.com™Charles Hickson: How did the Pascagoula Alien Abductee Die?Pascagoula incident - WikipediaThe Pascagoula Abduction: Did aliens kidnap two fishermen? | Sky HISTORY TV ChannelThe Pascagoula Abduction: Key Facts and Theories - Connect Paranormal BlogPascagoula Alien Abduction: Fact-Checking What Happened On The Fishing Trip? | US Buzz - Times NowCalvin Parker: How did the Pascagoula Man Abducted by Aliens Die?Calvin Parker's book: Books by Calvin Parker (Author of Pascagoula - The Closest Encounter)Charles Hickson's book: UFO Contact at Pascagoula by Charles Hickson | Goodreads“PASCAGOULA UFO” Song by Kenny Webb

Birthday Bonus Episode! Mackenzie introduces us to the legend of the Tommyknockers. She dives into miners' legends, the influence of Tommy Knockers, offerings and beliefs associated with them, and a believability scale.

The conversation explores the urban legend of the Jersey Devil, often referred to as the state demon of New Jersey. It examines the creature’s folklore, origins, and place in regional history, including stories connected to early colonial times and the alleged involvement of figures such as Ben Franklin. The discussion focuses on how the Jersey Devil became a lasting cultural symbol, shaped by sightings, myths, and its role in New Jersey folklore.https://jerseyhistory.org/legend-of-the-new-jersey-devil/https://www.njradar.com/blog/the-jersey-devil-300-years-of-sightings-terror-and-the-truth-behind-new-jerseys-ultimate-nightmarehttps://www.njradar.com/blog/the-jersey-devil-300-years-of-sightings-terror-and-the-truth-behind-new-jerseys-ultimate-nightmarehttps://pinelandsalliance.org/learn-about-the-pinelands/pinelands-history-and-culture/the-jersey-devil-and-folklore/https://weirdnj.com/stories/jersey-devil/https://mythology.net/mythical-creatures/jersey-devil/#google_vignettehttps://www.atlanticcountynj.gov/government/government-information/history-of-atlantic-county/jersey-devil-fact-or-fiction

The episode explores the legend of the Giwoggle. A chimeric cryptid rooted in local folklore, traces its tangled connections to Loop Hill Ike, aka Isaac Gaines, and the Kunfee family. Along the way, things get strange fast. Which raises the real question: are we finally ready to unpack the potato people?The Giwoggle: Clinton County’s Official Monster - Pennsylvania Wilds'Giwoggle': Central Pennsylvania's canine-like cryptid - Nexus NewsfeedMeet the Giwoggle, official monster of a Pa. county - pennlive.comHave you seen the Giwoggle? – The Record OnlineSusquehanna Greenway Ghouls & Legends - Susquehanna Greenway Partnership | Susquehanna Greenway PartnershipA freed slave in Pa. once fought monsters and ghosts, legend claims - pennlive.com

The conversation delves into the legend of the Sheepman, a bloodthirsty creature that terrorized the small town of Waterford, PA during the 1970s. The discussion covers encounters, local testimonies, and the disappearance of the Sheepman. Additionally, it explores regional variations of cryptids and the mass hysteria that can occur in small towns.Waterford Sheepman | Cryptid Wiki | Fandom

The Chupacabra, meaning “goat sucker,” is a legendary cryptid that originated in Puerto Rico and is often described as a reptilian creature. First reported in the 1970s, with a notable wave of sightings in Mocha, Puerto Rico, the Chupacabra has since evolved in popular culture, appearing in various forms ranging from reptilian to canid. Theories about its existence include misidentified animals, genetic anomalies, and even government experiments, making it one of the most debated and enduring modern cryptids.https://www.paranormalscholar.com/history-of-the-chupacabra/https://www.britannica.com/topic/chupacabrahttps://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends-americas/chupacabra-puerto-rico-003706https://www.thearchaeologist.org/blog/the-myth-of-the-chupacabra-a-modern-legend-with-ancient-roots-1https://allthatsinteresting.com/chupacabrahttps://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/101028-chupacabra-evolution-halloween-science-monsters-chupacabras-picture

Casey brings us into the water in this episode, the legends of Bessie, Nessie, and Champ, three mysterious lake monsters with sightings dating back centuries. Each creature is described in detail, with reported sightings, hoaxes, and theories about their existence.Bessie | Cryptid Wiki | FandomBessie - Spooky AppalachiaUnknown Explorers - BessieCLE Myths: Lake Erie MonsterBessie (lake monster): Legendary cryptid and local folklore icon | Mythical LegendSouth Bay Bessie - The Serpent Of Lake Erie - Sasquatch ChroniclesChamp, the Lake Champlain Monster | Lake ChamplainLoch Ness monster | History, Sightings, & Facts | BritannicaThe Loch Ness Monster: The truth behind the Nessie legend | DiscoverBritain.comNessie, is that you? Loch Ness Monster has been 'spotted' 5 times this year, official records show

In Episode 4, we step into the eerie world of the Lizard Man, uncovering sightings, encounters, and the local legends tied to this mysterious creature. The discussion delves into ongoing reports and chilling encounters from South Carolina.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lizard_Man_of_Scape_Ore_Swamphttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/monster-festival-pilgrimage-small-town-america-180969568/https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/2025/10/31/south-carolina-halloween-2025-lizard-man-urban-legends-spooky-tales/86989932007/https://thehorrorcollection.com/lizard-man-of-lee-county-cryptid/https://paranormalcasefiles.com/p/the-lizard-man-south-carolinas-terrifyinghttps://cityofbishopvillesc.com/the-lizard-man/ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/monster-festival-pilgrimage-small-town-america-180969568/

Today we dive into the mysterious and chilling phenomenon of the Dog Man, a cryptid described as a tall, muscular creature with a wolf-like head. The discussion covers its characteristics, historical sightings, variations, and recent encounters, including aggressive behavior and attacks.⁠Pennsylvania Dogman / Cryptid Canine Interactive Map - Google My Maps⁠⁠Want to learn more about Dogman Encounters? Well, you've come to the right place!⁠⁠Dogman and werewolf sightings in Pennsylvania go back centuries: Monsters of Pa. - ⁠⁠pennlive.com⁠⁠Michigan Dogman - Wikipedia⁠⁠https://northernmichiganhistory.com/the-legend-of-michigans-dogman/⁠⁠Michigan Dogman | Cryptid Wiki | Fandom⁠⁠Dogman in Knott County: Unraveling a Mysterious Attack - ParaRational⁠

In this episode, Mackenzie dives into the fascinating lore of the Snallygaster, a mythical creature from American folklore, particularly associated with the Appalachian region. The Snallygaster is described as a chimera-like being with features of a bird, dragon, and tentacles, known for its glowing eye and metallic talons. Mackenzie explores the origins of the Snallygaster, tracing its roots back to German immigrants in the 1700s and discussing its evolution through oral traditions.Sources: ⁠https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Snallygaster⁠⁠http://lore.lumberwoods.org/snallygaster.html⁠⁠https://www.thebanner.com/western-maryland/snallygaster-maryland-cryptid-racist-BBKKZPBUCZHGDASRT6J754D4OU/⁠⁠https://mdhistoricaltrust.wordpress.com/2025/10/31/the-snallygaster-shadows-fear/⁠⁠https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/what-is-the-snallygaster⁠⁠https://preservationmaryland.org/haunted-maryland-the-monsters-lurking-in-frederick-county/⁠https://www.appalachianhistory.net/2018/11/its-snallygaster.html

In episode 1 of Field Notes from the Unknown, we explore the strange and oddly related legend of the Squonk. A tearful Pennsylvania cryptid known for dissolving in its own misery. From folklore and festivals to unexpected pop-culture appearances, we unpack how this ugly little creature became a beloved icon. Be sure to keep up with the latest field notes by following us on Instagram and Facebook at Field Notes from the Unknown.Sources:⁠https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Squonk⁠⁠http://www.mobile.lumberwoods.org/lib/fclw/squonk.html⁠⁠https://tedium.co/2023/09/08/squonk-cryptid-origin-story/⁠Mage Reference:⁠Mage (WOD) | White Wolf Wiki | Fandom⁠⁠Mage: The Ascension - Wikipedia⁠