Summary:
A very compelling case of physical evidence is generally referred to as the Tulley saucer nest, which occurred in Queensland, Australia on January 19,1966. The case began on a warm sunny day as a twenty-eight-year-old banana farmer George Pedley was working on his tractor on the land of Albert Pennisi, near the town of Tully. As he neared a lagoon area about 9:00 AM, he heard a loud hissing sound.
Object Rise from Swamp:
Looking toward the direction of the sound, he suddenly saw an unknown object rising up from the swamp. Pedley stated:
"When I glanced at it, it was already 30 feet above the ground, and at about tree-top level. It was a large, grey, saucer-shaped object, convex on the top and bottom and measured some 25 feet across and 9 feet high. While I watched, it rose another 30 feet, spinning very fast, then it made a shallow dive and took off with tremendous speed. Climbing at an angle of 45 degrees it disappeared within seconds in a south-westerly direction."
Large Circular Area:
After the UFO was gone, Pedley proceeded around the road that lead the spot where the object had obviously sat. Very clearly seen in the lagoon was a large, round area that had mashed down vegetation. The water was circling around the area as if it had been recently disturbed. Pedley had passed this very area about three hours ago, and there had been no sign of the depressed area.
Mass of 30 Feet in Diameter:
Going on about his work, he decided about noon to go back and visit the lagoon again. Things were different this time, as there was now a floating mass of reeds, which were in a clockwise pattern. The reed configuration was about 30 feet in diameter. Pedley was excited to go and tell Mr. Pennisi about his sighting and the circular area. When Pennisi heard Pedley's story it reminded him that earlier that day, his dogs were acting oddly, and had tried to run to the lagoon.
Photograph of Area Taken:
Pedley and another worker headed back to the lagoon, and waded in. As they approached the ciruclar mass, they discovered that they could swim underneath the mass, and that the lagoon floor was smooth beneath it. Pennisi went and secured his camera and took photographs of the circular mass of reeds. By this time, the top of the mass was turning from green to brown.
Investigators Soon Swarm Area: :
Later in the evening, Pedley made a report of his experience to the Tully police department. The next morning they arrived, did a search of the lagoon area, and confirmed Pedley's findings. Tully police reported their findings to the RAAF on January 20. In a matter of days the lagoon was swamped with reporters and other interested investigators. Many theories were offered in addition to the landing of a UFO. Some that were mentioned in the media were helicopters, crocodiles, whirlwinds, birds, and more.
Other Nests Discovered: :
There was so much attention given to trying to understand what the circular mass was, that Pedley's UFO sighting was almost forgotten. Soon, the entire farm was searched, and suprisingly enough, five other similar "nests" were found, though none as large as Pedley's. Some of the reeds in the circles were clockwise, others counter-clockwise. Some had centers that had been burned.
RAAF Offers Theory: :
There was an analysis done of the original nest, but nothing other-wordly was discovered. The RAAF, after their investigation did not have a definite answer as to what caused the strange, circular mass, but did offer a theory. Their best guess was a "wily-wily" or dust devil, which was common in the area. No reference was made to Pedley's sighting of the UFO.
