Joey "UFO Magnet" George was out by the levee in West Tulsa on Saturday, April 9, 2022 when
he encountered a large crane which disappeared into thin air. This marked the fifth such incident Joey experienced.
Arkansas Riverbank: Photo Joey George
Joey says, “I
hiked down the Arkansas Riverbank about a quarter mile, packing my rock hammer
and flint knapping tools, my binoculars, telescope, folding chair, a bright
spotlight, & some chocolate chip cookies. I planned on harvesting some
flint from the riverbank, as my supply for crafting arrowheads was almost
completely diminished. I found a satisfactory point that offered a plethora of
stones of all sorts, being birthed of the water & sand. I arrived later
than expected, and soon the daylight gave way to pinks & oranges, which
were quickly consumed by dark purples and blues, giving the Western sky a
bruised appearance before being swallowed by darkness.
I retrieved the spotlight from my
duffel bag to continue my search for flint. The battery was drained within 5
minutes, ending the hunt, and leaving me behind to the mercy of the darkness.
This was the moment I had REALLY come here for, and I eagerly set up the
telescope & dialed it in. Settling back in my lawn chair, binoculars around
my neck, I opened the package of cookies and waited. Several planes &
helicopters flew overhead throughout the two hours that I sat there by the
river, sky watching.
With a clear view of the downtown
Tulsa skyline in the distance, looking so tiny, that I could hold the whole
city in the palm of my hand, I observed a few stars, the Moon, and a couple of distant
lights that just faded out and were never seen again. All in all, it was a
pretty uneventful night. I didn't find any flint, and the sky didn't offer much
excitement other than a brilliant sunset. It was about 11 p.m. when I decided
to start packing up to start the hike back to the truck. I was done with the
night, but little did I know, the night was not done with ME! I was about to
receive a visit from an old friend. For the bigger half of my life, I have had
an unexplained relationship with birds. Having countless strange, some even
impossible encounters! I was at this moment unaware, as I always was, that I
was about to have what would be my 5th encounter with what has come to be
called, "The Disappearing Crane."
As I finished stuffing everything
back into the bag and slung it over my shoulder, I was startled by the sight of
an enormous bird flying completely silent over the water, about 30 ft in front
of me. I watched in amazement, taking in every detail of the bird’s grace as it
silently glided through the darkness. It seemed impossible to me that something
so HUGE & so CLOSE could move without making any sound! I pulled my green
laser pointer out of my pocket. It had the kaleidoscope screw-on tip attached,
that offered an elaborate design pattern when the attachment was turned. I
aimed it in the giant bird's direction, trying to get its attention. I pressed
the button a couple times, watching, never letting my eyes leave the dark
silhouette the crane had become.
This incident, and others like it are included in the book "Winged Aliens," which is available at Amazon.com.
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