YEAR: 2012

SEASON: Summer

MONTH: June

DATE: weekday

STATE: Illinois

COUNTY: Christian County

NEAREST TOWN: Edinburg

NEAREST ROAD: Illinois Rt 29

OBSERVED: My experience happened late June to early July of 2012. Rural Christian County. Between 8:00 and 9:00 pm. I was relaxing by the fire texting and listening to my ipod. Watching a few cars pass the house. To my left was the farmhouse, to my right was the driveway and a few out buildings plus tall weeds (about 4 feet tall) in an old pasture. Several feet behind me was the pole light and machine shed. I felt an eerie sensation to my right. I looked in that direction. I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. I could have sworn I saw an outline of a head and shoulders above the weeds. I continued to look in that direction and shrugged it off as my imagination. I went back to texting. Glancing to the same spot occasionally. I kept hearing a slight noise to my right. And I would look up. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a rolling limestone rock. I didn't think about it at first. Then I realized that rocks don't move by themselves. I was freaked out and went inside. The next morning I went to investigate what could have formed the shape I saw. Nothing was there. I did find several sticks, corn stocks, and dirt clods in the driveway.

ALSO NOTICED: it was quiet. The neighbors dogs were not barking nor were the coyotes.

OTHER WITNESSES: none

TIME AND CONDITIONS: Evening, dark with pole light and fire light. between 8 and 9 pm. clear night. some wind.

ENVIRONMENT: farmland and small areas of woods and creeks

Follow-up investigation report by BFRO Investigator Stan Courtney:

I spoke with the witness by phone.

In summary:

• The animal was about 7 feet tall, standing head and shoulders above the weeds and foliage. The witness was approximately 25 yards from the animal.
• The small limestone rocks were apparently from the driveway.
• The rocks did not appear to be thrown at the witness but close enough to attract her attention.
•The witness stated that it was dark and she was able to see with the light from the pole light and camp fire.
•Weather charts show that sunset is at 8:29 p.m. at this location so her sighting was closer to 9 p.m.
•This is an area of farms and several wooded creeks. The family does have horses.
• On one other occasion the witness describes being followed while riding her horse by a large animal. Although she was unable to see the animal she could hear it walking, when she would stop, it would stop. The walking sounded like it was a biped. The witness became concerned and hurried back to her farm.

About BFRO Investigator Stan Courtney:

Stan Courtney has a special interest in wildlife audio recording. He has attended numerous BFRO Expeditions. See Stan's blog StanCourtney.com for recordings he has collected over the years.

Stan Courtney can be reached at illinois@bfro.net