Buzz
With the rise of the Internet, an overwhelming collection of jaw-dropping photos has been disseminated across countless websites. Sometimes, distinguishing whether an image is authentic can be challenging, particularly with the advanced picture editing tools available today. This article delves into 20 iconic images that have gone viral on the web. It serves as a continuation of a previous list that addressed the same subject. Unlike its predecessor, this collection highlights some historical photographs captured before the advent of the Internet. All the images are legitimate, though the true stories behind some remain unclear.
20. The Great Blue Hole
The Great Blue Hole is a massive underwater sinkhole situated off the coast of Belize. Located at the heart of Lighthouse Reef, a small atoll 70 kilometers (43 miles) from Belize City, the hole spans over 300 meters (984 feet) in diameter and reaches a depth of 124 meters (407 feet). It was created during several periods of Quaternary glaciations that occurred 153,000, 66,000, 60,000, and 15,000 years ago. The site gained worldwide fame thanks to Jacques-Yves Cousteau, who deemed it one of the top ten scuba diving destinations globally. In 1971, he brought his ship, the Calypso, to the site to map its depths.
19. Panda Embrace
Following the devastating 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, a multitude of photographs and videos began circulating online. One image shows a panda embracing a man's leg. While numerous heartbreaking photos of the tsunami exist, this is not one of them. The image, originally published in January 2006 by the English version of the Chinese news outlet People’s Daily Online, was part of an article about a giant panda pair being sent to Taiwan as a goodwill gesture. The photo captures a giant panda holding onto the leg of its caretaker at the Chinese Panda Protection Center in Wolong, located in Sichuan Province, southwest China.
18. Approach Shot
Grizzly bears in North America are only found in Alaska, western Canada, Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Wyoming, with their range extending southward to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park. In 2005, Charles Lindsay was at the Yellowstone Club golf course in Big Sky, Montana, when he captured a shot of a grizzly bear on the 9th green. The bear jumped over a fence and startled a group of golfers. Lindsay had been hoping to photograph either a cougar or a bear. The image was later featured in the book *Lost Ball: Great Holes, Tough Shots, and Bad Lies* and quickly went viral in 2005.
17. Massive Seizure
Zhenli Ye Gon, a Mexican businessman of Chinese descent, faced accusations of trafficking pseudoephedrine, a precursor chemical for ephedrine, into Mexico from Asia. He served as the legal representative for Unimed Pharm Chem México Corporation, a company authorized by the Mexican government between 2002 and 2004 to import large quantities of pseudoephedrine and ephedrine products. However, in July 2007, the U.S. government indicted Ye Gon, accusing him of conspiring to facilitate the importation of methamphetamine into the United States. The case was dismissed in 2009.
In March 2007, Mexican authorities entered Zhenli Ye Gon’s residence in Lomas de Chapultepec, Mexico City, and seized hundreds of millions of dollars in assets. In total, they confiscated $207 million USD, 18 million Mexican pesos, 200,000 euros, 113,000 Hong Kong dollars, 11 centenarios (Mexican gold bullion coins), and numerous jewels whose value remains unknown. Additionally, two Mexican-style homes worth around 20 million pesos, one lab, and seven vehicles were seized. A public poll conducted by Reforma, a daily newspaper, revealed that most Mexicans either believed Ye Gon’s claim that he was framed by government officials, or took a neutral stance on the matter. “I believe the Chinaman” bumper stickers became available for purchase. In 2007, an image of the seized money went viral.
16. Lake Isabella Light
In 1957, an intriguing photograph was taken by an individual known only as B.C. The story goes that B.C. and his fiancée were riding their Harley Davidson through the southern Sierra Nevadas near what is now Lake Isabella, California, when they decided to stop and take some photos. At the time, nothing seemed unusual. However, after developing the color slides, one of the images revealed a strange light. Initially, B.C. suspected the Kodak film lab had played a trick on him, but they denied any tampering. The slide was then sent to the Los Angeles office of *Time Life Magazine*, and according to their tests, the photo was authentic, with the light being neither a lens flare, acid splash, nor double exposure.
15. Giant Wolf Epidemic
The largest recorded gray wolf in North America was killed on the 70 Mile River in east-central Alaska on July 12, 1939. It weighed in at 79.4 kilograms (175 pounds). In 1995, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service introduced 35 Canadian gray wolves to central Idaho and the Yellowstone region of Wyoming. Since then, these wolves have thrived, multiplying and forming large packs. It's estimated that over 2000 gray wolves now inhabit Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. Starting in 2009, numerous images of giant wolves have circulated online. One notable photo shows an estimated 180-pound male Canadian gray wolf that was shot near central Idaho. Wolves can be hunted in Alaska, Montana, and Idaho in the United States.
14. Pepper Spray in the Face
Occupy UC Davis refers to a series of protests at the University of California, Davis, that drew global attention on November 18, 2011, when images and a video surfaced showing university police officers using pepper spray on a group of students. The event unfolded when police, wearing riot gear, arrived at the scene to dismantle tents and make arrests. A group of protesters sat on the quad's walkway, locking arms and refusing to move.
In response, two officers began spraying pepper spray directly into the faces of the peaceful, seated students. The incident was recorded by bystanders on their cell phones, while protesters shouted “Shame on you” and “Let them go” at the officers. University officials later stated that the police felt encircled by the demonstrators. The *New York Times* reported that several videos revealed the peaceful nature of the protest and highlighted the inappropriate use of force by the police.
13. A Special Pair
On December 26, 2004, a massive undersea megathrust earthquake struck off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The quake triggered a series of destructive tsunamis, claiming over 230,000 lives across fourteen countries and severely affecting the local wildlife. Among the victims was a baby hippopotamus, named Owen, who was separated from his family and swept down the Sabaki River into the Indian Ocean. He was later washed back onto land when the tsunami reached the Kenyan coast.
Once in the water, Owen was rescued by wildlife rangers and brought to Haller Park, a wildlife sanctuary in Mombasa, Kenya. As soon as he was placed in his new enclosure, Owen rushed over to meet a giant tortoise named Mzee, who is believed to be 100-130 years old. In a matter of days, the two formed an inseparable bond, eating and sleeping side by side. Owen has since been spotted affectionately licking Mzee, whom he considers his surrogate mother.
12. Lurking Dolphin
Adult dolphins typically range from 2 to 4 meters (6.6 to 13.2 feet) in length, with a weight ranging from 150 to 650 kilograms (330 to 1,400 pounds). On the other hand, adult great white sharks usually measure between 4 and 5.2 meters (13 to 17.1 feet) and weigh between 680 and 1,100 kilograms (1,500 to 2,400 pounds). In April 2003, photographer Kurt Jones captured an iconic image at Surfrider Beach in Malibu, California, showing a surfer coming face to face with a dolphin. The photo quickly went viral with an erroneous caption claiming it was a great white shark, which is inaccurate. Nevertheless, it remains a remarkable photograph, with perfect timing, vibrant colors, and an impeccable camera angle.
11. Shadow Caravan
This stunning aerial photograph showcases the long shadows of a group of camels as they trek across the desert. If you look closely, the dark marks on the sand are the camels' shadows. The undulating desert landscape, combined with the angle of the sun and the photographer’s perspective, creates a visual illusion in the photo. This image was deemed one of the best photographs of 2005 and was taken by George Steinmetz, a photographer whose work has graced the cover of *National Geographic*. Steinmetz is renowned for his science photography, often traveling the globe to remote deserts, lesser-known cultures, and new developments to capture extraordinary and unique images.
10. Hook Island Sea Monster
Hook Island, located in the Whitsunday Islands off the coast of Queensland, Australia, is a largely uninhabited and rugged landmass. In the early 1960s, Robert Le Serrec took a photograph of a massive, tadpole-like creature near the island. This photo was first published in March 1965. A comprehensive report on the incident was written by Heuvelmans in 1968. According to reports, Serrec and his family observed the creature lying on the lagoon floor after being stranded on the Great Barrier Reef. While the authenticity of the image is indisputable, many believe that the event was a hoax orchestrated by Robert Le Serrec. Some speculate that he may have used weighted plastic sheeting to fabricate the illusion of a giant sea serpent.
9. Death of Reynaldo Dagsa
Reynaldo Dagsa was a Filipino politician and councilman for Barangay 35 in Maypajo, Caloocan. Tragically, he was assassinated on January 1, 2011, while in the midst of taking a New Year’s Day family photo on Tuna Street. The photograph unintentionally captured the faces of both his assassin and an accomplice. The shooter, Michael Gonzales, a convicted robber on parole, was immediately identified, while Rommel Oliva, the lookout, was also recognized. Gonzales pointed his firearm directly at Dagsa just as the photo was snapped. Dagsa was rushed to Martinez Hospital but was declared dead from a gunshot wound to the head inflicted by a .45-caliber bullet. The photo was submitted to the Caloocan city police, leading to the arrest of both suspects in connection with the murder.
8. Solway Firth Spaceman
In 1964, Jim Templeton captured a photograph at Burgh Marsh, located near Burgh by Sands and overlooking the Solway Firth in Cumbria, England. The image became famous due to what appears to be a figure wearing a space suit in the background. Templeton, however, insists he did not see anyone at the scene when he took the photograph. The image soon became a topic of intrigue among ufologists and has sparked widespread curiosity. Templeton maintains that he did not notice the figure until the photos were developed. Kodak confirmed the authenticity of the photograph.
7. Beautiful Snow Moose
In recent years, a series of photographs featuring white moose has gained widespread attention online. The first known instance occurred in 2007 when an anonymous photographer captured images of two albino moose along a roadside in eastern Canada. Although the exact location is uncertain, it is believed to be in Ontario, Newfoundland, or New Brunswick. Two years later, in 2009, another set of images surfaced, showcasing a single white moose, which was later dubbed the “Beautiful Snow Moose.” While the images are authentic, it is likely that the moose are not true albinos but rather a rare variation of white-haired moose. It is estimated that approximately 1 in 100,000 moose are born with this genetic trait of white fur.
6. Eagle vs. Fox
The Golden Eagle is widely recognized as one of the most formidable birds of prey in the Northern Hemisphere. Known for their predatory prowess, they have been observed hunting and killing foxes, wild and domestic cats, mountain goats, ibex, young deer, and even adult roe deer. In some native cultures, the Eurasian subspecies is used to hunt wolves. A dramatic photograph of such an encounter was taken in February 2006 by Finnish photographer Pekka Komi, not by a Montana hunter as the viral email suggested. The series of images depicts a fox that came across an eagle feeding, leading to a brief struggle. In the final shot, the eagle had captured the fox, but the fox managed to escape and flee after the photo was taken.
5. Philippines’ Giant Crocodile
In September 2011, a series of photographs emerged online showing an enormous crocodile that was captured in the Philippines. This giant, one of the largest crocodiles ever recorded, measured 21 feet (6.4m) in length and weighed around one ton. It was hunted by a team of 100 people over the span of three weeks. The capture of the crocodile was prompted by suspicions that it was responsible for the death of a fisherman. This massive reptile had made its home in a river system in Agusan, a poverty-stricken area located 500 miles southeast of Manila.
The crocodile had been a constant source of fear for the local villagers, who had not dared to capture it until it was considered a threat to human lives. To catch the creature alive, the villagers set up four steel cable net traps. After its capture, the crocodile was transported by over 100 people to dry land. Despite the tragic death of the fisherman, the crocodile was destined for a new life in the limelight, becoming the main attraction of an eco-tourism park under development in Agusan. In 2011, a photograph featuring the Mayor of Agusan del Sur Province and the captured crocodile quickly went viral.
4. Hubble Ultra-Deep Field
The Hubble Ultra-Deep Field (HUDF) is an image taken from a small portion of space located in the constellation Fornax. This remarkable picture was created from data collected by the Hubble Space Telescope during 2003 and 2004. It stands as the deepest image of the universe ever captured. HUDF was obtained from an area of the sky with a relatively low density of bright stars, allowing astronomers to observe much dimmer and more distant celestial bodies. The HUDF image is believed to contain about 10,000 galaxies, showcasing galaxies of various ages, sizes, shapes, and colors.
3. De Loys’ Ape
Ameranthropoides loysi, also known as De Loys’ Ape, is said to be a large primate reportedly encountered by François De Loys during his expedition from 1917 to 1920, which aimed to search for petroleum along the border between Colombia and Venezuela, particularly near Lake Maracaibo. While the expedition ultimately failed and faced numerous hardships, including disease and conflicts with locals, the story of the ape remains noteworthy. Of the 20 men involved, only four survived. In his 1920 report, De Loys recounted an encounter with two strange creatures near the Tarra River. Initially, the group mistook the animals for bears, but upon closer inspection, they noted their unusual features. The creatures, one male and one female, seemed agitated and howled at the group, even throwing feces at them.
In a desperate attempt to protect themselves, the expedition shot and killed the male creature. The female fled into the woods immediately afterward. De Loys and his team realized that they had encountered something extraordinary. The creature bore some resemblance to a spider monkey, but it was much larger, standing at 1.57 meters (5.1 feet). De Loys observed that it had 32 teeth, unlike most New World monkeys which have 36, and it was notably lacking a tail. The men positioned the animal on a crate and propped a stick beneath its chin. After capturing a single photograph, De Loys reported that they skinned the creature with the intention of keeping its hide and skull. However, both were abandoned during the troubled expedition. Aside from the testimonies of those who witnessed the event, the only remaining evidence of the creature is the photograph.
The debate surrounding the authenticity of the creature continues, with skeptics claiming that it is merely a hoax and a posed spider monkey carcass. Others suggest that the expedition could have encountered an entirely unknown species. The crate the creature was posed on was similar to those used for transporting gasoline, measuring just under 18 inches (45.7 cm) tall. Assuming the crate was of the common variety, its size seems to validate De Loys' measurement of the creature's height. Researcher Michael Shoemaker highlights several key differences between the creature and a monkey, particularly in its chest, hands, face, underbite, and its notably higher forehead, which is unlike any known ape.
2. London Calling
On September 21, 1979, The Clash performed at The Palladium in New York City as part of their Clash Take the Fifth U.S. tour. During the concert, photographer Pennie Smith captured a now-famous image of Paul Simonon smashing his bass guitar against the stage. This iconic moment was used as the cover for their 1979 album, *London Calling*. The photo later earned the title of the best rock and roll photograph of all time by *Q* magazine. Initially, Smith was reluctant to let the image be used, believing it wasn’t technically good enough due to its slight blurriness—she had been stepping away from Simonon to avoid being hit by the flying guitar.
1. Eltanin Antenna
The Eltanin Antenna refers to an intriguing structure captured on the ocean floor by the USNS Eltanin, an Antarctic oceanographic research vessel, in 1964. The photograph was taken west of Cape Horn, and upon further examination, it was determined that the object stands 2 to 3 feet tall, featuring six primary crossbars spaced evenly along its vertical stem. At the end of each arm of the crossbars is a small ball. Positioned upright at a depth of 12,808 feet (3,904 meters), the peculiar formation has sparked the imagination of those who speculate about extraterrestrial life, with some suggesting it could be an alien artifact.
Bruce Cathie, one of the proponents of this theory, has created a Planetary Grid System based on the Eltanin Antenna. His research aligns with concepts similar to Einstein’s unified field theory, which seeks to explain gravity, time, space, and their interrelationships within a single equation. Cathie’s theory posits that the laws of mathematics form a grid across Earth, which influences the operation of flying saucers and determines the specific times and locations where nuclear weapons can be detonated. Cathie further claims that nuclear bombs can only be activated twice a year when the sun aligns in the right position. Since the discovery of the Eltanin Antenna, some experts have suggested that the object could also be the carnivorous sponge species Cladorhiza concrescens.
+ 2007 California UFO Wave
In 2007, a collection of strange photographs appeared online, showing an unusual aircraft hovering in various locations across California. Witnesses described the object as almost completely silent, with an eerily smooth movement. The craft was observed gliding slowly before it suddenly accelerated and disappeared in the blink of an eye. These images were taken in April, May, and June of 2007 in Lake Tahoe, Capitola, and Big Basin. While the sightings are peculiar, the photos have not been officially verified and may have been fabricated.
