NUFORC Sighting 56025

Occurred: 2001-01-30 22:00 Local - Approximate
Reported: 2007-03-31 03:56 Pacific
Duration: 20-30 minutes
No of observers: 1

Location: Independence, KS, USA

Shape: Light

Giant white 'Sparkler' wedged in tree during snowstorm

Sorry, I don’t remember the exact date because this happened about 5 years ago… I was driving along the road around the lake near Independence, Kansas, about 10pm or so. It was snowing steadily. I was looking for a place to park and sleep as the next day I wanted to track deer in the new fallen snow. There were no other tracks in the snow, so I am sure I was the only person to witness this event.

As I passed along the edge of the lake (about 100 yards from the road, right on the shore of the lake), I saw a very bright white light in the upper branches of a tree (maybe 25-30 feet off the ground) across the field. The trees, of course, were bare at that time of year, so I could plainly see the branches both in front of and behind whatever this thing was due to the light. I first thought that it must be a broken power line due to the heavy snow, but I couldn’t see any power line. It wasn’t moving at all, just flashing in the same position in the tree. I only saw a brilliant white light flashing intensely, very similar to a 4th of July sparkler. I didn’t see any flame or sign of fire, which was strange as it seemed to be lodged in the tree branches somehow. I would say the whole ‘thing’ was about the size of a basketball or slightly larger.

I drove down the road and managed to turn around. I came back and stopped the car (same position as before) to watch the light. Finally, after about 10 minutes, I decided to investigate. I opened the car door, felt the cold air, and quickly reconsidered. I was either too lazy or scared to hike over the snowy field to get a better look. I regret that to this day, because later I found out there was no power line along the side of the lake. I didn't return the next day to investigate either...

NUFORC Note:

Witness indicates that the date of the sighting is approximate. PD

Posted 2007-04-27