In the early 1960s, the bayous of Southern Louisiana became the home of the Honey Island Swamp Monster. According to local lore, this foul-smelling, grey-haired beast is a part alligator / part monkey hybrid that splashed through the swamp leaving behind mysterious three-toed footprints. A decade later in Central Illinois, the area around Lawndale hosted an outbreak of Thunderbird sightings. In one incident, a giant bird attempted to fly away with a ten-year-old boy in its talons! We hope you enjoy our very first cryptid episode.

The Legend of the Honey Island Swamp Monster at Pelican State of Mind

Dana Holyfields office website for her grandfather's research.

Piasa Bird

Artist’s rendering of the attack

Occult World Article

Doug’s Darkworld article

Atlas Obscura article

Troy Taylor’s “Thunderbirds Over Illinois”

Troy Taylor’s Facebook post

You can also use this link to text us your story :)

If you have an experience, story, or anything else you'd like to share with us, you can email us at [email protected] You can also follow us on Instagram, Join our Facebook group : Ope, A Ghost, or Follow us on Youtube

Toodles!