Local Artist Illustrates Flying Humanoid Flap in Chicago

A portrait of the creature by Donie Odulio. (Image credit: Donie Odulio)

Chicago artist Donie Odulio has released a set of illustrations based on the recent sightings of a winged creature surrounding Lake Michigan.

The creature, often described as a large, dark, humanoid figure with an enormous wingspan and glowing red eyes, has been spotted around the great lake in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana--although reports have come in from even farther afield.

A report from April of 2017 described a bat-like flying humanoid in Chicago's Oz Park. (Image credit: Donie Odulio)

"I've always been into the paranormal, and came across Chicago Mothman sightings," Odulio said of his motivation behind the illustrations. "I had read John Keel's book in the past and saw the Mothman movie so I was familiar with the Point Pleasant sightings. This led me to Lon Strickler's site and I started reading through all the witness accounts."

A woman and her son were terrified to see a creature matching this description in the backyard of their home in LIttle Village. (Image credit: Donie Odulio)

Odulio drew his inspiration from the witnesses' descriptions, and tried to accurately reflect what people claimed to have seen in the hopes that a better understanding of the creature might be had.

"I'm glad that several of the accounts were able to give specific details on the features of the creature," he said. "I decided to sketch out what was being described so that maybe we can all get a visual of what witnesses are seeing."

Witnesses have reported a tall, dark man with huge wings in Oak Park, Little Village, Grant Park, Forest Park, and Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. (Image credit: Donie Odulio)

This string of flying creature sightings around Lake Michigan ostensibly began last spring, but more historical accounts are being reported as more people become aware of the phenomenon.  Most of the sightings have taken place near the lakefront in Chicago within a few miles of Lake Michigan, although there are some reports coming from the suburbs surrounding Chicago and even farther afield.  The sightings generally take place in the evening or at night, often in or near a park, and around water.  Witnesses consistently describe a large, bat or bird-like creature, although in a small number of cases the creature was described as insect-like; and humanoid features such as arms and legs are often reported.  Many of the sightings are also of something seen only briefly or are described only as a flying creature with few details, which leaves open the possibility that a large bird or bird-like being could explain some encounters. 

(Image credit: Donie Odulio)

To report a sighting, contact Lon Strickler at lonstrickler@phantomsandmonsters.com or call him directly at 410-241-5974; fill out UFO Clearinghouse's contact form to get in touch with Manuel Navarette; or reach out to us directly at The Singular Fortean Society through our contact page.

You can view a timeline of the sightings so far here, and an interactive map here.