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1000 results for “shadow”
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Daniel #Băluță acuză o „mașină uriașă de propagandă” care „pompează ură” și spune că vocile critice la adresa #PNL (#PartidulNaționalLiberal) și #USR (#UniuneaSalvațiRomânia) sunt „puse în shadow ban”.
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ウクライナの魂 Українська Душа
焼け落ちた街 灰だけが残り
Один, ще один, іще.https://www.deviantart.com/poison-raika/art/Ukuraina-no-Tamashii-1300124256
<>
#ＡＩ生成 #soul #Ukraine #city #down #only #ashe #remain #black #sky #swallowed #every #scream #earth #split #apart #dream #dust #tear #dry #away #sorrow #name #fallen #people #silence #dawn #shadow #everyone #listen
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ウクライナの魂 Українська Душа
焼け落ちた街 灰だけが残り
Один, ще один, іще.https://www.pixiv.net/novel/show.php?id=27316876
<>
#ＡＩ生成 #soul #Ukraine #city #down #only #ashe #remain #black #sky #swallowed #every #scream #earth #split #apart #dream #dust #tear #dry #away #sorrow #name #fallen #people #silence #dawn #shadow #everyone #listen
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ウクライナの魂 Українська Душа
焼け落ちた街 灰だけが残り
Один, ще один, іще.https://note.com/poison_raika/n/n643fd47293f9
<>
#ＡＩ生成 #soul #Ukraine #city #down #only #ashe #remain #black #sky #swallowed #every #scream #earth #split #apart #dream #dust #tear #dry #away #sorrow #name #fallen #people #silence #dawn #shadow #everyone #listen
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REFORM UK: Former Senedd MS Caroline Jones resigns citing candidate parachuting and “wall of silence”
Jones, 70, who represented South Wales West as a regional MS from 2016 to 2021, announced her resignation on social media, saying she had formally submitted her departure more than 24 hours before making it public and had received no response from the party.
In a lengthy statement, Jones said local members who had worked hard in their communities had been passed over for candidacies, with individuals she described as having “little or no connection” to constituencies being placed into positions instead. She said this had caused “deep frustration and disappointment” among members, candidates and supporters who had invested time and resources in good faith.
More seriously, she alleged that some of those parachuted into constituencies had brought “further reputational damage” through conduct including allegations of racism and discrimination — claims she said had embarrassed those who had worked to represent their communities with integrity.
“This continued lack of engagement reflects the wall of silence that many of us have experienced when trying to seek clarity and accountability,” Jones wrote, adding that she had made repeated formal attempts to get answers and had consistently been ignored.
The resignation adds to a growing picture of turmoil inside Reform UK’s Welsh operation in the weeks before the May 2026 Senedd election. Swansea Bay News has reported extensively on the party’s difficulties across the region, including the collapse of its Bridgend candidate slate, a furious resignation in Swansea in which a candidate branded the party a “sewer”, and a Carmarthenshire candidate launch overshadowed by wider defections and internal turbulence.
Jones is not a new face to Welsh political turbulence. She was first elected on the UKIP ticket in 2016, briefly led the UKIP Senedd group in 2018, and subsequently left to sit as an independent before joining the Brexit Party — now Reform UK — in 2019. She later broke with the group again over its anti-devolution stance, forming the Independent Alliance for Reform group in the Senedd until her seat ended at the 2021 election. She rejoined Reform UK in 2023.
Her resignation echoes complaints that have surfaced repeatedly across Wales. Candidate selection disputes, allegations of racism and discrimination against Reform figures in the region, and the high-profile jailing of former Wales leader Nathan Gill for ten and a half years over a Russian bribery case have collectively damaged the party’s credibility ahead of what polls suggest could be a significant electoral moment.
Jones said her decision was “about integrity, and about standing up for what is right”, and that she remained committed to serving veterans and her community.
It is not yet clear whether she intends to stand as an independent candidate at the Senedd election or step back from frontline politics.
Jones represented the South Wales West region, which covers Bridgend, Neath Port Talbot and Swansea — areas that have been among the most turbulent for the party’s Welsh operation.
The Senedd election takes place on 7 May 2026. Reform UK has not yet responded to the resignation.
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
Bridgend chaos: Three of Reform’s six Pen-y-bont Senedd candidates have quit — and nobody knows who’ll replace them
Three of Reform UK’s six Bridgend Senedd candidates quit ahead of the May 2026 election, leaving the party scrambling to fill its slate.Swansea Reform UK candidate quits in furious ‘betrayal’ rant — ‘Party has sunk into the sewer!’
A Reform UK Swansea candidate resigned with a furious public statement accusing the party of betrayal.Carmarthenshire: Reform UK names full Senedd slate — but defections cast shadow over campaign launch
Reform UK named its Carmarthenshire Senedd candidates, but the announcement was overshadowed by wider party turbulence and defections.Nigel Farage appoints new Reform Wales leader as Labour says party is now run by Tories
Nigel Farage appointed a new Reform UK Wales leader amid ongoing questions about the party’s direction in Wales.Former Reform UK Wales leader Nathan Gill jailed for 10 and a half years over Russian bribery
Nathan Gill, the former leader of Reform UK in Wales, was jailed for over a decade after being convicted of accepting Russian bribes.Plaid Cymru storms ahead as shock Senedd poll predicts political earthquake in Wales
#CarolineJones #featured #ReformUK #ReformWales #resignation #SeneddElection #SeneddElection2026 #SeneddElections2026
A major Senedd poll showed Plaid Cymru surging ahead, with significant implications for all parties including Reform UK. -
Just made a beat using Logic Pro's Alchemy's spectral image synthesis. A friend sent over some photos he took making shadows with a flashlight, and I imported them directly as spectral sources. Images 2 and 3 ended up giving me this glitchy flute sound with a sub bass underneath and a strange stereo image I didn't plan at all. Turned out way better than expected for a first go. #musicproduction #alchemy #sounddesign #beat #LogicPro
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Just made a beat using Logic Pro's Alchemy's spectral image synthesis. A friend sent over some photos he took making shadows with a flashlight, and I imported them directly as spectral sources. Images 2 and 3 ended up giving me this glitchy flute sound with a sub bass underneath and a strange stereo image I didn't plan at all. Turned out way better than expected for a first go. #musicproduction #alchemy #sounddesign #beat #LogicPro
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Just made a beat using Logic Pro's Alchemy's spectral image synthesis. A friend sent over some photos he took making shadows with a flashlight, and I imported them directly as spectral sources. Images 2 and 3 ended up giving me this glitchy flute sound with a sub bass underneath and a strange stereo image I didn't plan at all. Turned out way better than expected for a first go. #musicproduction #alchemy #sounddesign #beat #LogicPro
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Just made a beat using Logic Pro's Alchemy's spectral image synthesis. A friend sent over some photos he took making shadows with a flashlight, and I imported them directly as spectral sources. Images 2 and 3 ended up giving me this glitchy flute sound with a sub bass underneath and a strange stereo image I didn't plan at all. Turned out way better than expected for a first go. #musicproduction #alchemy #sounddesign #beat #LogicPro
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Just made a beat using Logic Pro's Alchemy's spectral image synthesis. A friend sent over some photos he took making shadows with a flashlight, and I imported them directly as spectral sources. Images 2 and 3 ended up giving me this glitchy flute sound with a sub bass underneath and a strange stereo image I didn't plan at all. Turned out way better than expected for a first go. #musicproduction #alchemy #sounddesign #beat #LogicPro
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I thought it would be useful to control Logic Pro with voice commands. So I built an app for it. Comes in handy when you are behind a drum kit or not that close to your computer while recording. logiccommander.app #logicpro #homerecording #homestudio
Logic Commander - Hands-Free V... -
https://www.europesays.com/pl/427218/ Powinno być kilkudziesięciu, a jest… jeden. Lekarze sądowi pilnie poszukiwani #historia #imprezy #interwencje #inwestycje #kultura #lokale #PL #Poland #Polish #Polityka #Polska #Polski #Rozrywka #Szczecin #Wiadomości #wydarzenia
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My OC, Ifra Shadowbringer. (2022)
She's an orc that uses shadow magic to summon demons.#art #artist #mastoart #fediart #oc #orc #characterdesign #originalcharacter #summoner #demon #darkmagic
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My OC, Ifra Shadowbringer. (2022)
She's an orc that uses shadow magic to summon demons.#art #artist #mastoart #fediart #oc #orc #characterdesign #originalcharacter #summoner #demon #darkmagic
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My OC, Ifra Shadowbringer. (2022)
She's an orc that uses shadow magic to summon demons.#art #artist #mastoart #fediart #oc #orc #characterdesign #originalcharacter #summoner #demon #darkmagic
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My OC, Ifra Shadowbringer. (2022)
She's an orc that uses shadow magic to summon demons.#art #artist #mastoart #fediart #oc #orc #characterdesign #originalcharacter #summoner #demon #darkmagic
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Pop Cryptid Spectator 17
Hello everyone. Welcome to the 17th issue of Pop Cryptid Spectator featuring cryptids in mainstream popular culture.
As I scroll through news feeds, I keep an eye out for examples of pop cryptids. They are NOT hidden, they are ubiquitous, making their appearance known every day in movies, TV, games, social media, folk culture, and consumer culture. I’ve collected more examples over the past few weeks. I’ll never be short of them!
In this edition:
- Bear Lake monster marker
- Join the cryptid crawl
- Cryptids as sports icons
- New York Times Monster Quest Strands puzzle
- Blue Ridge Hunting game features Appalachian cryptids
- Seeking Mothgirl
- Another fake Bigfoot promo video
- Nessie Quest 2025 is a bust
Bear Lake monster marker
A Utah State University student headed a project to give Bear Lake its own official cryptid commemorative sign. The Bear Lake monster, a typical Nessie-like creature legend common to dozens of lakes in North America, is the subject of Utah’s first “Legends & Lore” sign. According to the USU press on the unveiling of the sign, the modern legend began in 1868, when Joseph C. Rich, a local Mormon writer, popularized a tale that was likely adapted from Shoshone oral traditions via a letter to the Deseret News. Rich later admitted that the story was fiction, but that never stood in the way of a good monster story. The co-opting of a Native legend of a spirit animal to fuel a story about a potentially dangerous lake creature is a ploy used over and over again. The older legends add credibility, but are used without proper context. The newly revamped tale catches on.
People will see what they believe. The Bear Lake monster’s disparate descriptions range from sea serpent-like, to resembling plesiosaurs, mosasaurs, crocodiles, or large fish. It’s clearly imaginary, which actually gives it limitless flexibility in the current culture.
Certain lakes are particularly prone to reports of lake monsters thanks to a combination of popular cultural depictions and wakes on the lake that are mistaken for humped creatures. The surfacing of large fish or the occasional swimming mammal will also do wonders to propel the legend. The USU write-up was clear that there is no real undiscovered animal in the lake; instead, the sign celebrates the value of community that is evident in their beloved shared story of the monster. Melissa Anderson, the grad student who won the grant to erect the sign, expressed this very pop cryptid sentiment:
“Whether the story of the Bear Lake Monster is true or not, there’s truth in its impact, which is really awesome,” Anderson said. “And I think monsters are fun.”
Join the cryptid crawl
In PCS 16, I mentioned a cryptid crawl taking place in Ohio. Up popped another one in Lancaster, PA! The Tales from the Shadows weekend event features cryptid and paranormal activities in the downtown area aimed at families and in support of small businesses. The cryptid crawl features popular legendary creatures included Pennsylvania’s own Squonk, a top pop cryptid these days. The crawl encourages participants to visit locations around town to collect stickers and, when complete, to receive a commemorative prize. Look for this type of community event to catch on.
Cryptids as sports icons
In PCS 4 and 5, I linked to the saga of the Utah Hockey Club trying and failing to obtain the name “Yetis” for their team. There are many North American sports teams that use cryptids as team names or as their mascots. Check out this article I wrote back in 2024 with several examples and some background on why cryptids are so popular in this role. I recently updated the article with the addition of a football club from Texas called the Chupacabras. Of course, there is an awesome logo!
New York Times Monster Quest Strands puzzle
Forteans and cryptid fans rejoiced on June 4 as the NYT “strands” puzzle featured a cryptid theme. What a stellar example of how cryptids have hit the mainstream! “Cryptids” was the “spangram” word.
Blue Ridge Hunting game features Appalachian cryptids
A new 3D graphics video game joins a growing list of games that invoke Appalachian folk horror as a theme for an immersive and spooky experience. The Blue Ridge Hunting game uses the trope about seeing something in the woods, but no one believes you or doesn’t want to hear about it. (“No, you didn’t.”) While you aim to hunt the monsters, they are hunting you. So, don’t be too noisy….
Blue Ridge Hunting allows you to team up with your friends to investigate some of the most infamous cryptids said to haunt the Appalachian region. Players can utilize various tools to collect evidence and track down creatures. Income from successful hunts can be invested in new equipment – but be careful! Creatures are always listening and looking; utilize proximity voice chat and your radio for communication, but be careful not to attract too much attention…
In a way, I rather like that idea. People walking in the woods need to stop talking so loudly, hooting and hollering. Just listen, you may hear something.
Seeking Mothgirl
Are you getting the gist that cryptids are huge in gaming? If you don’t like camo-wearing, gun-wielding games, you might enjoy Lost Records: Bloom & Rage where you go looking for the Moth Girl via a theme within the game called Capturing the Cryptid. The Moth Girl cryptid is a cutified version of Mothman. Various versions of a “moth girl” can be found in art, cosplay, and fiction. Cute versions of cryptids are a predominant theme of pop cryptids.
Another fake Bigfoot promo video
It’s a thing, now, for outdoor companies in the US west to stage “Bigfoot” sightings for tourism promotion. Sometimes they do it live for tourists passing by. Other times, they stage a cheap stunt for social media promotion. That’s what was done in late May for Colorado River Expeditions. They put someone in the standard Bigfoot suit:
And made them pose for the camera. See for yourself in this video by ParaBreakdown:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mtGC1Ymjn4
Nessie Quest 2025 is a bust
The annual Nessie Quest weekend in May, bringing hundreds of people together in person and online to search for the mystery cryptid, turned up zero evidence this year. It seems a bit silly after all these decades to keep trying to find scientific evidence when Nessie is obviously far more valuable as a legend. But the event is a good ploy for people to play pretend scientists. This year, there wasn’t even blurry footage of waves to speculate about. The best that the news media could find was an image of a pike eyeing some bait. The Glasgow media spun this in the most optimistic light possible by saying “experts hunters” (how can you be an expert if you’ve never gotten a creature?!) say the large fish would serve as food for a large predator. Sure, sure.
Thanks for reading! Send comments, questions, or suggestions to sharon(at)sharonahill.com. If you want to send some cryptid plushies or other merch, or books to review, email for my physical mailing address.
For more, click on Pop goes the Cryptid landing page. Make sure you subscribe to all the posts – it’s always free and I don’t send annoying spam.
Pop Cryptid Spectator is also available on Substack. Please share this with cryptid fans you know!
Pop Cryptid Spectator Pop Cryptid Spectator 16Pop Cryptid Spectator 15
Pop Cryptid Spectator 14
Pop Cryptid Spectator 13
Pop Cryptid Spectator 12
Pop Cryptid Spectator 11
#AICryptids #cryptids #cryptidtiktok #folklore #hoax #LochNessMonster #Nessie #nightmarefuel #TheSasqualogist #VeggieMan #WestVirginia
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Pop Cryptid Spectator 17
Hello everyone. Welcome to the 17th issue of Pop Cryptid Spectator featuring cryptids in mainstream popular culture.
As I scroll through news feeds, I keep an eye out for examples of pop cryptids. They are NOT hidden, they are ubiquitous, making their appearance known every day in movies, TV, games, social media, folk culture, and consumer culture. I’ve collected more examples over the past few weeks. I’ll never be short of them!
In this edition:
- Bear Lake monster marker
- Join the cryptid crawl
- Cryptids as sports icons
- New York Times Monster Quest Strands puzzle
- Blue Ridge Hunting game features Appalachian cryptids
- Seeking Mothgirl
- Another fake Bigfoot promo video
- Nessie Quest 2025 is a bust
Bear Lake monster marker
A Utah State University student headed a project to give Bear Lake its own official cryptid commemorative sign. The Bear Lake monster, a typical Nessie-like creature legend common to dozens of lakes in North America, is the subject of Utah’s first “Legends & Lore” sign. According to the USU press on the unveiling of the sign, the modern legend began in 1868, when Joseph C. Rich, a local Mormon writer, popularized a tale that was likely adapted from Shoshone oral traditions via a letter to the Deseret News. Rich later admitted that the story was fiction, but that never stood in the way of a good monster story. The co-opting of a Native legend of a spirit animal to fuel a story about a potentially dangerous lake creature is a ploy used over and over again. The older legends add credibility, but are used without proper context. The newly revamped tale catches on.
People will see what they believe. The Bear Lake monster’s disparate descriptions range from sea serpent-like, to resembling plesiosaurs, mosasaurs, crocodiles, or large fish. It’s clearly imaginary, which actually gives it limitless flexibility in the current culture.
Certain lakes are particularly prone to reports of lake monsters thanks to a combination of popular cultural depictions and wakes on the lake that are mistaken for humped creatures. The surfacing of large fish or the occasional swimming mammal will also do wonders to propel the legend. The USU write-up was clear that there is no real undiscovered animal in the lake; instead, the sign celebrates the value of community that is evident in their beloved shared story of the monster. Melissa Anderson, the grad student who won the grant to erect the sign, expressed this very pop cryptid sentiment:
“Whether the story of the Bear Lake Monster is true or not, there’s truth in its impact, which is really awesome,” Anderson said. “And I think monsters are fun.”
Join the cryptid crawl
In PCS 16, I mentioned a cryptid crawl taking place in Ohio. Up popped another one in Lancaster, PA! The Tales from the Shadows weekend event features cryptid and paranormal activities in the downtown area aimed at families and in support of small businesses. The cryptid crawl features popular legendary creatures included Pennsylvania’s own Squonk, a top pop cryptid these days. The crawl encourages participants to visit locations around town to collect stickers and, when complete, to receive a commemorative prize. Look for this type of community event to catch on.
Cryptids as sports icons
In PCS 4 and 5, I linked to the saga of the Utah Hockey Club trying and failing to obtain the name “Yetis” for their team. There are many North American sports teams that use cryptids as team names or as their mascots. Check out this article I wrote back in 2024 with several examples and some background on why cryptids are so popular in this role. I recently updated the article with the addition of a football club from Texas called the Chupacabras. Of course, there is an awesome logo!
New York Times Monster Quest Strands puzzle
Forteans and cryptid fans rejoiced on June 4 as the NYT “strands” puzzle featured a cryptid theme. What a stellar example of how cryptids have hit the mainstream! “Cryptids” was the “spangram” word.
Blue Ridge Hunting game features Appalachian cryptids
A new 3D graphics video game joins a growing list of games that invoke Appalachian folk horror as a theme for an immersive and spooky experience. The Blue Ridge Hunting game uses the trope about seeing something in the woods, but no one believes you or doesn’t want to hear about it. (“No, you didn’t.”) While you aim to hunt the monsters, they are hunting you. So, don’t be too noisy….
Blue Ridge Hunting allows you to team up with your friends to investigate some of the most infamous cryptids said to haunt the Appalachian region. Players can utilize various tools to collect evidence and track down creatures. Income from successful hunts can be invested in new equipment – but be careful! Creatures are always listening and looking; utilize proximity voice chat and your radio for communication, but be careful not to attract too much attention…
In a way, I rather like that idea. People walking in the woods need to stop talking so loudly, hooting and hollering. Just listen, you may hear something.
Seeking Mothgirl
Are you getting the gist that cryptids are huge in gaming? If you don’t like camo-wearing, gun-wielding games, you might enjoy Lost Records: Bloom & Rage where you go looking for the Moth Girl via a theme within the game called Capturing the Cryptid. The Moth Girl cryptid is a cutified version of Mothman. Various versions of a “moth girl” can be found in art, cosplay, and fiction. Cute versions of cryptids are a predominant theme of pop cryptids.
Another fake Bigfoot promo video
It’s a thing, now, for outdoor companies in the US west to stage “Bigfoot” sightings for tourism promotion. Sometimes they do it live for tourists passing by. Other times, they stage a cheap stunt for social media promotion. That’s what was done in late May for Colorado River Expeditions. They put someone in the standard Bigfoot suit:
And made them pose for the camera. See for yourself in this video by ParaBreakdown:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mtGC1Ymjn4
Nessie Quest 2025 is a bust
The annual Nessie Quest weekend in May, bringing hundreds of people together in person and online to search for the mystery cryptid, turned up zero evidence this year. It seems a bit silly after all these decades to keep trying to find scientific evidence when Nessie is obviously far more valuable as a legend. But the event is a good ploy for people to play pretend scientists. This year, there wasn’t even blurry footage of waves to speculate about. The best that the news media could find was an image of a pike eyeing some bait. The Glasgow media spun this in the most optimistic light possible by saying “experts hunters” (how can you be an expert if you’ve never gotten a creature?!) say the large fish would serve as food for a large predator. Sure, sure.
Thanks for reading! Send comments, questions, or suggestions to sharon(at)sharonahill.com. If you want to send some cryptid plushies or other merch, or books to review, email for my physical mailing address.
For more, click on Pop goes the Cryptid landing page. Make sure you subscribe to all the posts – it’s always free and I don’t send annoying spam.
Pop Cryptid Spectator is also available on Substack. Please share this with cryptid fans you know!
Pop Cryptid Spectator Pop Cryptid Spectator 16Pop Cryptid Spectator 15
Pop Cryptid Spectator 14
Pop Cryptid Spectator 13
Pop Cryptid Spectator 12
Pop Cryptid Spectator 11
#AICryptids #cryptids #cryptidtiktok #folklore #hoax #LochNessMonster #Nessie #nightmarefuel #TheSasqualogist #VeggieMan #WestVirginia
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Pop Cryptid Spectator 17
Hello everyone. Welcome to the 17th issue of Pop Cryptid Spectator featuring cryptids in mainstream popular culture.
As I scroll through news feeds, I keep an eye out for examples of pop cryptids. They are NOT hidden, they are ubiquitous, making their appearance known every day in movies, TV, games, social media, folk culture, and consumer culture. I’ve collected more examples over the past few weeks. I’ll never be short of them!
In this edition:
- Bear Lake monster marker
- Join the cryptid crawl
- Cryptids as sports icons
- New York Times Monster Quest Strands puzzle
- Blue Ridge Hunting game features Appalachian cryptids
- Seeking Mothgirl
- Another fake Bigfoot promo video
- Nessie Quest 2025 is a bust
Bear Lake monster marker
A Utah State University student headed a project to give Bear Lake its own official cryptid commemorative sign. The Bear Lake monster, a typical Nessie-like creature legend common to dozens of lakes in North America, is the subject of Utah’s first “Legends & Lore” sign. According to the USU press on the unveiling of the sign, the modern legend began in 1868, when Joseph C. Rich, a local Mormon writer, popularized a tale that was likely adapted from Shoshone oral traditions via a letter to the Deseret News. Rich later admitted that the story was fiction, but that never stood in the way of a good monster story. The co-opting of a Native legend of a spirit animal to fuel a story about a potentially dangerous lake creature is a ploy used over and over again. The older legends add credibility, but are used without proper context. The newly revamped tale catches on.
People will see what they believe. The Bear Lake monster’s disparate descriptions range from sea serpent-like, to resembling plesiosaurs, mosasaurs, crocodiles, or large fish. It’s clearly imaginary, which actually gives it limitless flexibility in the current culture.
Certain lakes are particularly prone to reports of lake monsters thanks to a combination of popular cultural depictions and wakes on the lake that are mistaken for humped creatures. The surfacing of large fish or the occasional swimming mammal will also do wonders to propel the legend. The USU write-up was clear that there is no real undiscovered animal in the lake; instead, the sign celebrates the value of community that is evident in their beloved shared story of the monster. Melissa Anderson, the grad student who won the grant to erect the sign, expressed this very pop cryptid sentiment:
“Whether the story of the Bear Lake Monster is true or not, there’s truth in its impact, which is really awesome,” Anderson said. “And I think monsters are fun.”
Join the cryptid crawl
In PCS 16, I mentioned a cryptid crawl taking place in Ohio. Up popped another one in Lancaster, PA! The Tales from the Shadows weekend event features cryptid and paranormal activities in the downtown area aimed at families and in support of small businesses. The cryptid crawl features popular legendary creatures included Pennsylvania’s own Squonk, a top pop cryptid these days. The crawl encourages participants to visit locations around town to collect stickers and, when complete, to receive a commemorative prize. Look for this type of community event to catch on.
Cryptids as sports icons
In PCS 4 and 5, I linked to the saga of the Utah Hockey Club trying and failing to obtain the name “Yetis” for their team. There are many North American sports teams that use cryptids as team names or as their mascots. Check out this article I wrote back in 2024 with several examples and some background on why cryptids are so popular in this role. I recently updated the article with the addition of a football club from Texas called the Chupacabras. Of course, there is an awesome logo!
New York Times Monster Quest Strands puzzle
Forteans and cryptid fans rejoiced on June 4 as the NYT “strands” puzzle featured a cryptid theme. What a stellar example of how cryptids have hit the mainstream! “Cryptids” was the “spangram” word.
Blue Ridge Hunting game features Appalachian cryptids
A new 3D graphics video game joins a growing list of games that invoke Appalachian folk horror as a theme for an immersive and spooky experience. The Blue Ridge Hunting game uses the trope about seeing something in the woods, but no one believes you or doesn’t want to hear about it. (“No, you didn’t.”) While you aim to hunt the monsters, they are hunting you. So, don’t be too noisy….
Blue Ridge Hunting allows you to team up with your friends to investigate some of the most infamous cryptids said to haunt the Appalachian region. Players can utilize various tools to collect evidence and track down creatures. Income from successful hunts can be invested in new equipment – but be careful! Creatures are always listening and looking; utilize proximity voice chat and your radio for communication, but be careful not to attract too much attention…
In a way, I rather like that idea. People walking in the woods need to stop talking so loudly, hooting and hollering. Just listen, you may hear something.
Seeking Mothgirl
Are you getting the gist that cryptids are huge in gaming? If you don’t like camo-wearing, gun-wielding games, you might enjoy Lost Records: Bloom & Rage where you go looking for the Moth Girl via a theme within the game called Capturing the Cryptid. The Moth Girl cryptid is a cutified version of Mothman. Various versions of a “moth girl” can be found in art, cosplay, and fiction. Cute versions of cryptids are a predominant theme of pop cryptids.
Another fake Bigfoot promo video
It’s a thing, now, for outdoor companies in the US west to stage “Bigfoot” sightings for tourism promotion. Sometimes they do it live for tourists passing by. Other times, they stage a cheap stunt for social media promotion. That’s what was done in late May for Colorado River Expeditions. They put someone in the standard Bigfoot suit:
And made them pose for the camera. See for yourself in this video by ParaBreakdown:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mtGC1Ymjn4
Nessie Quest 2025 is a bust
The annual Nessie Quest weekend in May, bringing hundreds of people together in person and online to search for the mystery cryptid, turned up zero evidence this year. It seems a bit silly after all these decades to keep trying to find scientific evidence when Nessie is obviously far more valuable as a legend. But the event is a good ploy for people to play pretend scientists. This year, there wasn’t even blurry footage of waves to speculate about. The best that the news media could find was an image of a pike eyeing some bait. The Glasgow media spun this in the most optimistic light possible by saying “experts hunters” (how can you be an expert if you’ve never gotten a creature?!) say the large fish would serve as food for a large predator. Sure, sure.
Thanks for reading! Send comments, questions, or suggestions to sharon(at)sharonahill.com. If you want to send some cryptid plushies or other merch, or books to review, email for my physical mailing address.
For more, click on Pop goes the Cryptid landing page. Make sure you subscribe to all the posts – it’s always free and I don’t send annoying spam.
Pop Cryptid Spectator is also available on Substack. Please share this with cryptid fans you know!
Pop Cryptid Spectator Pop Cryptid Spectator 16Pop Cryptid Spectator 15
Pop Cryptid Spectator 14
Pop Cryptid Spectator 13
Pop Cryptid Spectator 12
Pop Cryptid Spectator 11
#AICryptids #cryptids #cryptidtiktok #folklore #hoax #LochNessMonster #Nessie #nightmarefuel #TheSasqualogist #VeggieMan #WestVirginia
-
Pop Cryptid Spectator 17
Hello everyone. Welcome to the 17th issue of Pop Cryptid Spectator featuring cryptids in mainstream popular culture.
As I scroll through news feeds, I keep an eye out for examples of pop cryptids. They are NOT hidden, they are ubiquitous, making their appearance known every day in movies, TV, games, social media, folk culture, and consumer culture. I’ve collected more examples over the past few weeks. I’ll never be short of them!
In this edition:
- Bear Lake monster marker
- Join the cryptid crawl
- Cryptids as sports icons
- New York Times Monster Quest Strands puzzle
- Blue Ridge Hunting game features Appalachian cryptids
- Seeking Mothgirl
- Another fake Bigfoot promo video
- Nessie Quest 2025 is a bust
Bear Lake monster marker
A Utah State University student headed a project to give Bear Lake its own official cryptid commemorative sign. The Bear Lake monster, a typical Nessie-like creature legend common to dozens of lakes in North America, is the subject of Utah’s first “Legends & Lore” sign. According to the USU press on the unveiling of the sign, the modern legend began in 1868, when Joseph C. Rich, a local Mormon writer, popularized a tale that was likely adapted from Shoshone oral traditions via a letter to the Deseret News. Rich later admitted that the story was fiction, but that never stood in the way of a good monster story. The co-opting of a Native legend of a spirit animal to fuel a story about a potentially dangerous lake creature is a ploy used over and over again. The older legends add credibility, but are used without proper context. The newly revamped tale catches on.
People will see what they believe. The Bear Lake monster’s disparate descriptions range from sea serpent-like, to resembling plesiosaurs, mosasaurs, crocodiles, or large fish. It’s clearly imaginary, which actually gives it limitless flexibility in the current culture.
Certain lakes are particularly prone to reports of lake monsters thanks to a combination of popular cultural depictions and wakes on the lake that are mistaken for humped creatures. The surfacing of large fish or the occasional swimming mammal will also do wonders to propel the legend. The USU write-up was clear that there is no real undiscovered animal in the lake; instead, the sign celebrates the value of community that is evident in their beloved shared story of the monster. Melissa Anderson, the grad student who won the grant to erect the sign, expressed this very pop cryptid sentiment:
“Whether the story of the Bear Lake Monster is true or not, there’s truth in its impact, which is really awesome,” Anderson said. “And I think monsters are fun.”
Join the cryptid crawl
In PCS 16, I mentioned a cryptid crawl taking place in Ohio. Up popped another one in Lancaster, PA! The Tales from the Shadows weekend event features cryptid and paranormal activities in the downtown area aimed at families and in support of small businesses. The cryptid crawl features popular legendary creatures included Pennsylvania’s own Squonk, a top pop cryptid these days. The crawl encourages participants to visit locations around town to collect stickers and, when complete, to receive a commemorative prize. Look for this type of community event to catch on.
Cryptids as sports icons
In PCS 4 and 5, I linked to the saga of the Utah Hockey Club trying and failing to obtain the name “Yetis” for their team. There are many North American sports teams that use cryptids as team names or as their mascots. Check out this article I wrote back in 2024 with several examples and some background on why cryptids are so popular in this role. I recently updated the article with the addition of a football club from Texas called the Chupacabras. Of course, there is an awesome logo!
New York Times Monster Quest Strands puzzle
Forteans and cryptid fans rejoiced on June 4 as the NYT “strands” puzzle featured a cryptid theme. What a stellar example of how cryptids have hit the mainstream! “Cryptids” was the “spangram” word.
Blue Ridge Hunting game features Appalachian cryptids
A new 3D graphics video game joins a growing list of games that invoke Appalachian folk horror as a theme for an immersive and spooky experience. The Blue Ridge Hunting game uses the trope about seeing something in the woods, but no one believes you or doesn’t want to hear about it. (“No, you didn’t.”) While you aim to hunt the monsters, they are hunting you. So, don’t be too noisy….
Blue Ridge Hunting allows you to team up with your friends to investigate some of the most infamous cryptids said to haunt the Appalachian region. Players can utilize various tools to collect evidence and track down creatures. Income from successful hunts can be invested in new equipment – but be careful! Creatures are always listening and looking; utilize proximity voice chat and your radio for communication, but be careful not to attract too much attention…
In a way, I rather like that idea. People walking in the woods need to stop talking so loudly, hooting and hollering. Just listen, you may hear something.
Seeking Mothgirl
Are you getting the gist that cryptids are huge in gaming? If you don’t like camo-wearing, gun-wielding games, you might enjoy Lost Records: Bloom & Rage where you go looking for the Moth Girl via a theme within the game called Capturing the Cryptid. The Moth Girl cryptid is a cutified version of Mothman. Various versions of a “moth girl” can be found in art, cosplay, and fiction. Cute versions of cryptids are a predominant theme of pop cryptids.
Another fake Bigfoot promo video
It’s a thing, now, for outdoor companies in the US west to stage “Bigfoot” sightings for tourism promotion. Sometimes they do it live for tourists passing by. Other times, they stage a cheap stunt for social media promotion. That’s what was done in late May for Colorado River Expeditions. They put someone in the standard Bigfoot suit:
And made them pose for the camera. See for yourself in this video by ParaBreakdown:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mtGC1Ymjn4
Nessie Quest 2025 is a bust
The annual Nessie Quest weekend in May, bringing hundreds of people together in person and online to search for the mystery cryptid, turned up zero evidence this year. It seems a bit silly after all these decades to keep trying to find scientific evidence when Nessie is obviously far more valuable as a legend. But the event is a good ploy for people to play pretend scientists. This year, there wasn’t even blurry footage of waves to speculate about. The best that the news media could find was an image of a pike eyeing some bait. The Glasgow media spun this in the most optimistic light possible by saying “experts hunters” (how can you be an expert if you’ve never gotten a creature?!) say the large fish would serve as food for a large predator. Sure, sure.
Thanks for reading! Send comments, questions, or suggestions to sharon(at)sharonahill.com. If you want to send some cryptid plushies or other merch, or books to review, email for my physical mailing address.
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#AICryptids #cryptids #cryptidtiktok #folklore #hoax #LochNessMonster #Nessie #nightmarefuel #TheSasqualogist #VeggieMan #WestVirginia
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Elden Ring su Switch 2 con due nuove classi: Cavalieri di Idi e Cavaliere Pesante. Personalizzazione cavallo, nuove armature, armi e abilità. Contenuti extra del "Tarnished Pack" inclusi, più l'espansione "Shadow of the Erdtree". Niente Nightreign. #GiochiSwitch #GiochiPS5 #GiochiXbox #GiochiPC #Notizievideogiochi #gamingnews #Videogiochi #Switch #playstation #xbox #PCGaming
👉 https://www.absolutegamer.it/la-versione-switch-2-di-elden-ring-include-un-sacco-di-nuovi-contenuti/
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Raw concrete geometry, monumental stair forms, and shifting daylight create a brutalist composition where architecture becomes sculpture. This spatial study explores how shadow reveals structure, how negative space softens mass, and how repeated geometric planes build rhythm inside monumental forms. A strong source of inspiration for architecture lovers, design observers, and anyone drawn to minimal yet powerful spatial aesthetics.
#brutalism #architecturedesign…
https://www.deazur.com/architecture/brutalist-stair-geometry-open-courtyard-sun-shadow-patterns/
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Royal Canadian Navy memorial in Ottawa. If you look closely you can see all the pollen. #ottawa #monument #shadow #silhouette #EastCoastKin
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Royal Canadian Navy memorial in Ottawa. If you look closely you can see all the pollen. #ottawa #monument #shadow #silhouette #EastCoastKin
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Royal Canadian Navy memorial in Ottawa. If you look closely you can see all the pollen. #ottawa #monument #shadow #silhouette #EastCoastKin
