In 1973, a series of unusual encounters with strange beings were reported across the United States, a period now often called the year of the humanoids. One case involved Mike Shea, who experienced lost time and noticed a silent, illuminated object near Cooksville, Maryland. Under hypnosis years later, Shea revealed memories of encountering insect-like figures and being taken aboard a mysterious craft, where he underwent an examination before resuming his journey in a dazed state.

More than three decades later, in 2004, a woman in New Mexico witnessed a large insect-like creature in Heart Canyon carrying a calf, mistaking it at first for a helicopter. Terrified by the event, she later shared her experience with a paranormal researcher, contributing to ongoing debates about such unexplained sightings. Both incidents prompt questions about the nature of these encounters and their similarities.

Key Takeaways

Two separate decades saw reports of encounters with insect-like beings.
Witnesses described highly unusual craft, missing time, and detailed accounts under hypnosis.
Both cases remain unexplained, raising ongoing questions about the phenomenon.

Overview of Humanoid Encounter Reports from 1973

Uptick in Unusual Entity Reports

In 1973, there was a significant increase in reports detailing encounters with unusual humanoid creatures. Many of these accounts described interactions involving odd beings and unidentified objects, drawing attention from those interested in unexplained phenomena.

A notable case from this period took place in Cooks Ville, Maryland. The event involved the sighting of a luminous aerial object and the appearance of insect-like figures outfitted in black armor. Witness details include sensations of altered consciousness and a period of missing time, which later prompted regression hypnosis to recover lost memories.

Key Characteristics of 1973 Entity Encounters:

Presence of non-human figures, often described as insectoid
Missing time phenomena
Reports of silent or unusual flying craft
Physical sensations or changes in awareness

Location Entity Descriptions Notable Features Cooks Ville, MD Insect-like, armored Missing time, hypnosis

Importance of 1973 UFO and Entity Sightings

The year 1973 stands out for the sheer number of alleged humanoid sightings and reported extraterrestrial contacts. Investigators often reference it as a highly active period, resulting in increased scrutiny and documentation of unusual events.

Not every report from this year achieved widespread recognition, but even lesser-known cases exhibited consistent patterns. Witnesses often described silent crafts, physical examinations, and interaction with beings that defied conventional explanation. This pattern has made 1973 a reference point for researchers examining trends in strange entity encounters.

Highlights from 1973 Reports:

High frequency of documented cases
Recurring themes of contact experiences
Variety in entity appearance and behavior

This pattern of activity supports ongoing interest and study into the events of 1973 within the context of unexplained aerial phenomena and humanoid encounters.

Sequence of Events During the Cooksville Case

Mike Shia Encounters a Strange Phenomenon

Mike Shia was driving toward Olney, Maryland, at around 7:00 p.m. when he noticed a focused beam of light hitting a barn roughly 150 feet from his vehicle. After slowing down to investigate, he noticed the source of the beam was not a helicopter as he initially expected. Instead, he observed a large object featuring a sequence of red and yellow lights hovering near the barn.

Details Noted:

The object emitted no noise.
The lights alternated in color.
It hovered low, close to the barn and his car.

Witnessing the Silent Craft and Unusual Light

The silent nature of the craft was particularly surprising for Shia, as aerial vehicles typically produce noise. When the beam of light abruptly switched off, he sensed something moving behind him. Looking out his window, he realized the hovering object had shifted position, now directly above his car.

Key Observations:

The craft did not produce any sound.
A strong tingling sensation ran down his spine.
The overall atmosphere changed from initial shock to a calm, almost numbed clarity.

Table 1: Behavior of the Object

Time Action Observation 7:00pm Beam of light on barn Seen by Shia Shortly after Light shuts off Fear escalates Moments later Object above car Sensations felt

The Period of Unexplained Time Loss

Shia found himself suddenly calm and much closer to his intended meeting spot than expected. Upon checking his watch, he realized two hours were unaccounted for. Later, through hypnotic regression, more details emerged about the missing time.

Recovered Details:

He remembered seeing four figures at the side of the road, clad in black armor with insect-like traits.
Three entities were tall, the fourth smaller and dressed in a shiny suit.
He observed two craft: a large, shiny craft above and a smaller one on the ground.
Shia recalled being escorted from his car into one of the objects. Once inside, he described being examined and having organic material collected from him.
After the encounter, he was returned to his car and resumed driving, only regaining awareness as he neared his destination.

List of Key Entities Observed:

Four figures: three large, one small
Armor resembling hard black plastic
Helmets with a center ridge
Grasshopper-like features

These recollections formed the foundation for understanding the lost time during the incident.

Hypnotic Regression and Uncovered Memories

Recollections of Unusual Creatures with Insect Features

During hypnotic regression, vivid memories of the encounter emerged. The individual remembered four figures along the roadside, which at first seemed human, but closer inspection revealed otherwise. They wore black suits resembling armor, and their faces were hidden behind what appeared to be helmets with pronounced creases.

A striking detail was their resemblance to oversized grasshoppers, characterized by elongated arms, arched legs, and an overall insect-like stance. Among them, three were tall while the fourth was smaller, wearing a silky, zippered outfit. This smaller being conveyed a sense of age or ancient wisdom.

Observations Inside the Mysterious Object

As recalled under hypnosis, a large, glossy craft was seen hovering at low altitude, producing a subtle whirring noise. Nearby, a second, smaller craft was stationed on the ground, suggesting a coordinated operation.

The witness described being guided by these figures from the car and brought into one of these objects. Details such as the size, lights, and the arrangement of the crafts contributed to the perception of an orchestrated event.

The Experience and Physical Checks

While inside the object, the individual was placed on a table for examination. The beings appeared to collect organic samples in a systematic manner, though the exact procedures or devices used were not specified.

After the process, the individual was returned to the car, experiencing a dull, emotionless state until nearing the original destination. A significant time gap was noted, which had not been consciously experienced before regression.

Summary Table of Key Elements:

Aspect Description Beings' Appearance Insect-like, black armored suits, helmets Number Observed Four (three large, one smaller) Main Craft Large, shiny, with spinning lights Secondary Craft Smaller, stationary on the ground Actions Taken Escorted from vehicle, medical examination Aftermath Returned to car, awareness restored later

Examination of the Cooksville Event

Effects on Theories of Non-Human Encounters

The Cooksville incident stands out because it adds to the ongoing discussions about interactions between humans and unexplained entities. The presence of multiple witnesses and forensically unusual details, such as a lost period of two hours (often referred to as “missing time”), offers firsthand data that aligns with other contact claims from the same period. The individual’s use of hypnotic regression later provided further insights into the sequence of events, including physical aftereffects and emotional responses, such as fear followed by calmness.

These elements are often referenced in studies concerning anomalous encounters. The specificity of memory recall—both spontaneous and recovered—offers researchers a structured timeline:

Event Description Initial Sight Beam of light hitting barn, observed from vehicle Encounter Time Approx. two-hour gap, details remembered via hypnosis Physical Effects Tingling, emotional shift, organic sample collection

Such aspects offer potential patterns for broader research on unexplained contact.

Unusual Characteristics of the Experience

Distinctive traits define the Cooksville situation when compared to other reports. The visual details set this event apart: entities described as resembling oversized grasshoppers, donning black, plastic-like armor and helmets; a smaller being in a black silky garment was also present. The witness recounted that these creatures escorted him to a craft, where an examination and collection of samples occurred.

Some features reported:

The craft was large, ringed with alternating red and yellow lights, and emitted almost no sound.
The humanoid figures had bowed legs and elongated arms, and their faces and attire were dark and reflective.
A smaller figure, judged to be “ancient” in appearance, wore a garment with a central zipper.
Emotional state altered from acute anxiety to calmness without clear cause.

These specific traits, along with the silence of the craft and the sudden shift in awareness, contribute to the rarity and notability of the Cooksville event among 1970s close encounter cases.

The 2004 Heart Canyon Case

Danielle B’s Unusual Encounter

In May 2004, Danielle B, a local New Mexico resident, decided to spend a leisurely day hiking through Heart Canyon near Aztec. The weather was warm and clear, and after settling with a book and snacks, she planned to relax with no rush to leave. Around two hours later, something unexpected caught her attention in the sky.

Danielle observed a large, dark figure that she initially mistook for a helicopter. However, it lacked the familiar sound of rotor blades, which immediately seemed odd given its appearance.

Details of the Creature and What It Did

As the object moved closer, Danielle realized it was not a helicopter. Instead, she saw what looked like a massive insect, estimated to be approximately 13 feet long. Its wings, beating rapidly, had fooled her into thinking they were helicopter blades. What seemed at first to be ropes were actually powerful black legs.

Action Sequence:

The giant insect appeared to be carrying a small calf with its limbs.
Over her head, the insect released the calf onto a nearby peak.
It swiftly descended, attacked, and consumed the animal.

Feature Description Length About 13 feet Wings Fast-beating, mistaken for rotors Limbs Strong, black, resembled ropes

During this event, Danielle remained rooted out of fear, observing as the insect finished feeding and then flew away.

Public Response and Events That Followed

After the creature’s departure, Danielle eventually left the area, ensuring to watch the sky on her way out. Her concern centered around disbelief and potential ridicule if she reported her story.

She chose not to contact authorities immediately, believing her claim might not be taken seriously. Danielle kept the experience private until 2007, when she confided in researcher Nick Redfern. Although skepticism surrounded her account, Redfern found her testimony sincere and accepted that she encountered something highly unusual that day in Heart Canyon.

Key Comparisons Across Case Studies

Overlapping Features in Insect-Inspired Entity Sightings

Both accounts contain vivid descriptions of encounters with beings or entities that strongly resemble insects. The individuals in each situation noted unusual features: in one, the figures looked like oversized grasshoppers, complete with long arms, segmented legs, and armor-like attire; in the other, the entity manifested as a massive, winged insect with powerful black limbs.

Common Themes:

Non-human appearance: Witnesses emphasized the alien, insect-like qualities.
Unexpected Size: Entities were described as much larger than typical insects.
Aerial activity: Both involved objects or beings moving through the air without conventional aircraft sounds.

Feature Case 1: Maryland 1973 Case 2: New Mexico 2004 Entity Type Grasshopper-like beings Gigantic flying insect Sound Silent, except for craft whirring None when airborne Activity Abduction, examination Predatory behavior, observed feeding

Contrasts in Personal Accounts and Reactions

The direct experiences of the two witnesses showed marked contrasts in their emotional reactions, environmental context, and aftermath. In the first incident, there was initial fear followed by a loss of time and subsequent hypnosis to recover memories, which revealed direct physical contact and examination. In the second, the witness experienced silent shock and chose to remain hidden, later refraining from reporting the event immediately due to fear of disbelief.

Key Differences:

Setting: One encounter occurred while driving near a rural barn at night, the other on a sunny canyon hike.
Witness Reaction: One person underwent hypnosis to recover memories, while the other avoided reporting for years.
Entity Interaction: One described an abduction with direct interaction; the other only observed behavior from a distance.

Summary Table

Aspect Maryland 1973 New Mexico 2004 Witness Action Sought hypnosis, recovered memories Stayed hidden, delayed reporting Encounter Details Physical examination by entities Observed predatory act, no direct contact Emotional Response Initial fear, later confusion Fearful observation, caution

Wrap-Up and Ongoing Questions

The accounts from Cooksville, Maryland and Heart Canyon, New Mexico present two separate incidents involving unusual objects and beings. Each case shares some features, such as the sudden onset of fear, the presence of silent flying objects, and encounters with entities that appear insect-like in form or behavior.

Observed Details:

Incident Location Notable Beings Object Description Unusual Effects Cooksville, MD Four armored, insectoid figures Large craft with red/yellow lights; silent Missing two hours, unease, tingling Heart Canyon, NM One giant flying insect Black, helicopter-shaped form; no sound Witness immobilized by fear

A list of key elements seen across both events includes:

Silent, unfamiliar flying objects
Encounters with beings resembling insects
Physical or emotional effects on witnesses (fear, paralysis, lost time)
Collection of biological samples (in one report)

Despite the passage of years, what exactly happened during these encounters is still uncertain. Both incidents raise questions about the origin and purpose of the observed objects and beings, as well as the mechanisms behind the witnesses’ altered perceptions. More information is needed before any firm conclusions can be drawn regarding the nature of these anomalies.

Insect-Like Humanoid Encounters: From Maryland's 1973 Abduction to New Mexico's 2004 Calf-Carrying Creature