Field Note 001 - Rumors

Date: 11 September

Several entirely unrelated people have independently reported something unusual in a small patch of native bush north of Wingatui.

This is highly encouraging.

Unfortunately, none of them have actually seen anything.

The reports consist almost entirely of phrases such as "I felt like something was watching me," "It was probably nothing," and "The bush suddenly went very quiet." One witness also admitted he was thinking about what to have for dinner at the time, which may have affected the scientific quality of his observations.

At present there are no confirmed sightings of the reptile.

This is disappointing, but also rather exciting.

Tomorrow I shall conduct a proper investigation.

I have packed a notebook, a camera, a muesli bar, and what I believe is an appropriate amount of confidence.

Field Note 002 - The Farmer

Date: 13 September

Location: Whare Flat

The road through Whare Flat winds gently into the hills before disappearing into a small remnant of native bush. According to several entirely reliable rumours, this is the place where the creature is most frequently not observed.

On the drive in I encountered a farmer moving a large mob of sheep along the road. Keen to gather local knowledge, I pulled over to introduce myself. My arrival appears to have caused a temporary redistribution of the sheep, which the farmer seemed to take rather personally.

He was a little abrupt at first, but once I explained that I was conducting an important field expedition in search of an elusive reptilian species, he became unexpectedly helpful.

He suggested I begin my search in the nearby Chalkies Scenic Reserve, which borders his property.

Curious about the unusual name, I asked where it came from.

According to Tom (the farmer), the reserve is famous for its enormous gleaming white cliffs, surrounded by gold nuggets "about the size of your fist, just lying on the ground."

I made a careful note of this remarkable geological feature.

When I asked whether he had ever seen any unusual reptiles in the area, he replied,

"When you find the cliffs, they'll be flying around them like bloody flies."

This was an exciting breakthrough. Tom spoke with the quiet confidence of a man who clearly knew the district intimately. It did occur to me that such spectacular cliffs and abundant gold would surely attract considerable public attention, but I suspect farmers prefer to keep these things to themselves.

Tomorrow I shall begin my search at Chalkies Scenic Reserve.

Tom seemed quite upbeat and chuckling to himself as he began collecting up his mob of sheep. I suspect he was happy about helping me with my expedition.

Field Note 002 – Footprints

Date: 14 September

Location: Ckalkies Scenic Reserve

Conditions: Overcast. Damp. Excellent footprint weather.

Near a muddy section of the path, I discovered several distinct footprints.

At first glance they appeared to belong to an ordinary dog.

Fortunately, I resisted this obvious conclusion.

Closer examination revealed four toes, small claw marks and a confident stride. This is also consistent with a dog, but it is equally consistent with an unusually large reptile of approximately medium size.

I have therefore recorded the prints as "Possibly Reptilian."

This is how science works.

I spent several minutes carefully searching the surrounding bush.

Nothing was visible. No creatures of any sort.

One final note.

I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched.

This is probably unrelated.

Probably.

Field Note 003 – Rustling

Date: 13 September

Today's investigation followed a narrow stream deeper into the bush.

Progress was slower than anticipated due to several moss-covered logs, an unreasonable number of ferns, and one particularly determined spider web that refused to acknowledge my right of passage.

Conditions were otherwise ideal.

Some distance ahead I heard a distinct rustling in the undergrowth.

My initial assessment was that it was a bird.

A few seconds later I revised this assessment after deciding that birds are not generally quite that...rustly.

The sound continued for several moments before stopping altogether.

Naturally, I approached with the calm confidence of an experienced field researcher.

I may also have tripped over a root.

By the time I reached the spot there was nothing to be seen.

Only a few fern fronds were still swaying gently, as though something had moved through them only moments earlier.

This is exactly the sort of clue investigators hope for.

Unfortunately it is also exactly the sort of clue left by almost everything in a New Zealand forest.

I remained perfectly still for several minutes, listening carefully.

Nothing.

Well... almost nothing.

There was a very distinct feeling that something was quietly waiting for me to leave first.

Scientific explanation currently unavailable.

Field Note 004 – Rose Quartz

Date: 14 September

Specimen collected: One piece of rose quartz. Possibly important. Possibly just a nice rock.

I returned to yesterday's location today.

There was a persistent feeling that I had missed something. This feeling may have been instinct, or it may simply have been the result of spending too much time staring into the bush waiting for something unusual to happen.

Further investigation seemed necessary.

I continued upstream, where the stream became narrower and considerably less cooperative.

The route involved slippery rocks, tangled roots, thick mud, and one unfortunate moment where I discovered that even waterproof boots have a large hole on the top.

Eventually the stream narrowed into a small gorge.

As I carefully crossed the water, something caught the light beneath the roots of a tree.

A specimen.

Nestled in the curve of the roots was a small piece of rose quartz.

It was smooth, clean and unusually shiny.

After a thorough examination (approximately thirty seconds), I determined that rose quartz is not something I would normally expect to find lying in a forest stream in this location.

There is, of course, a perfectly sensible explanation.

Someone may have brought it here.

Someone may have dropped it.

Someone may have simply decided that this particular tree root was an excellent place to store a small pink crystal.

All entirely possible.

However...

Old stories frequently mention dragons collecting crystals.

I would like to make it clear that I am not suggesting this was left by a dragon.

I am merely recording that the possibility cannot currently be ruled out.

I carefully placed the quartz in my pocket for further study and continued the expedition.

I also spent a considerable amount of time looking around to see if anyone—or anything—was watching me take it.

Nothing was visible.

Field Note 005 – The Tree

Date: 16 September

Today I encountered what may be the most significant obstacle of the expedition so far.

A tree.

Not just any tree.

A very large medium-sized tree.

The trunk had fallen directly across the route I had intended to follow, with the kind of confidence usually reserved for objects that have no intention of being moved.

Climbing over it would have been possible, although not without considerable effort and a strong chance of arriving on the other side covered in mud, moss and possibly regret.

Going around would have required pushing through thick undergrowth, which seemed unfair after the forest had already provided me with several days of difficult terrain.

I began examining the tree for clues.

The obvious explanations were considered:

Rot at the base.

Lightning strike.

Disease.

A particularly determined wind.

However, I could find no clear evidence of any of these.

The roots remain firmly attached.

The wood appears healthy.

The surrounding forest is strangely calm. Smaller trees nearby remain standing, and there is no obvious sign of widespread damage.

It is possible that this is simply an ordinary fallen tree.

This is the explanation I would like to accept.

Unfortunately, the timing is suspicious.

The tree has fallen in exactly the location where I was attempting to continue my investigation.

A sensible researcher would record this as coincidence.

A less sensible researcher might wonder if the forest itself has decided that today's exploration is quite enough.

I would like to point out that I am not suggesting the tree was placed here deliberately.

Trees do not generally move themselves.

As far as we know.

I have marked the location and will return when I have a suitable plan.

Preferably one involving less climbing.

I took one last look around….Nothing.