Is this a hoax, or real?

Supposedly written by Roger Fontaine (who doesn't appear to exist) more likely written by David Legros, Algonquin Provincial Park chief park naturalist, who’s originally from Lafontaine, now lives in Huntsville, Ontario.

As far as I know, these holes (tunnels) in the photograph below, were created from blasting through the rocks of the Canadian Shield to make way for building the highways/ byways in Ontario. Other provinces and territories likely have them too. I really doubt the worm story, as far as these photos being any kind of real evidence. But, the whole post shows how something can be turned into a great hoax, or a great story. Is there enough here to make you a believer?

Holes in the shield: the Algonquin Rock Worm

Roger LaFontaine originally came to Algonquin Provincial Park looking for creepy creatures like leeches, snails, crayfish and rotifers in the early 2000s.

During that first season in the park, he became fascinated by the huge and strange marks seen all over Algonquin’s Highway 60 corridor left by a prehistoric worm. Since then, he’s devoted at least a day per year to documenting and studying some of Algonquin’s forgotten creatures.

Many visitors to Algonquin are in awe of the rocky shorelines and exposed rock outcrops throughout the park.

What only keen-eyed visitors may pick up on are the telltale marks left behind by a fantastic creature that sadly isn’t around anymore.

Findings from a lost journal Back in the 1930s, strange marks appearing as vertical tunnels were seen in rocks along what would later become Highway 60.

Naturalist Walter Lepinski working with the road crew would eventually go on to describe the creature that made these precise tunnels: the Algonquin Rock Worm (Petrolumbricus algonquinensis).

This was a species of large burrowing worm that specialized in boring tunnels through rock using hardened mouthparts.

Walter estimated that Algonquin Rock Worms were approximately 10 cm wide by 6 m long, featuring segmented bodies and head-ends covered with scales.

Lepinski’s observations were corroborated by strange notes and illustrations found in the journals of timber cruisers and timber chute operators before the turn of the century (pers comms, Norton Smithers, 2024).

Lepinski’s notes from this time are scant, but he did write in his journal

“Algonquin Rock Worm, Petrolumbricus algonquinensis.

“Fossil burrows found along proposed highway through Algonquin. Only burrows found through Canadian Shield. I estimate the worms to be up to 20 feet in length. It must have hardened mouthparts to bore through rock.”

Evidence of species past Sadly, this species was one of the victims of the last Ice Age – the enormous glacier that covered much of North America in a crushing sheet of ice.

By the start of the last Ice Age 100,000 years ago, the rock worm would be wiped from the landscape.

In fact, following the melt of the glacier about 11,000 years ago, there would be no native earthworms at all in Ontario until they were introduced by humans just a few centuries ago.

Alas, no extant fossils exist of the Algonquin Rock Worm because animals with soft bodies rarely become fossilized. On top of that, that worm-killing glacier also scraped much of Ontario clean of its soil and softer rocks, including most fossil-bearing rocks.

Today, fossils of ancient animal life are found in limestone regions of southern and extreme northern Ontario.

To see these, check out parks like Presqu’ile Provincial Park, Craigleith Provincial Park, Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park – these parks host fossils that are hundreds of millions of years old!

As for the Algonquin Rock Worm, all we have left are the huge and mysterious burrows.

When the track or sign of an animal is fossilized, it is called a “trace fossil” or “ichnofossil.”

Modern effects of the Algonquin Rock Worm

Photographs from modern Highway 60, Algonquin Provincial Park featuring the tunnels of the Algonquin Rock Worm. In many locations, a number of tunnels appear next to each other. It is possible the worms lived in groups or were excavated in similar locations over vast time periods – we won’t be able to know.

While called the Algonquin Rock Worm in tribute to the place where it was first described, this species has since been found across much of eastern Canada and parts of the northern United States, with observations made all over the Canadian Shield.

Coincidentally, this lines up well with some of Ontario’s most iconic parks and drives, such as Frontenac Provincial Park, the eastern shore of Georgian Bay, Lake Superior Provincial Park, and more.

Today, we don’t have much to go on to piece together the life and ecology of the Algonquin Rock Worm.

The vertical burrows that we can see while travelling along the highway suggest they were good at orienting themselves to get to the surface and likely fed here.

Modern worms consume vast quantities of forest debris like dead leaves, and we assume that the Rock Worm did as well.

As modern worms feed, they leave behind poop, called worm castings.

One must imagine the immense heaps left behind by a 6 m worm and the nutrients spread onto the landscape, let alone the piles of pulverized stone at the burrow opening.

While we can’t know for certain, it is thought that Rock Worms were long-lived due to their size and the difficulty of boring through rock.

We have yet to find deep subterranean chambers attributed to the Rock Worm, and we suspect they are deep underground so unlikely to find them.

It is thought that the burrows provided homes for other species of long, narrow animals to use, from smaller worms and insect larvae to snakes and weasels.

In the past, as today, water trickles through these holes, perhaps entering the ground for long-term storage.

In winter, the water may freeze and thaw, and over millennia, this has cracked many rock outcrops, eventually creating mineral soil for plants to grow in.

Become a student of nature You may be wondering, “So what? Why does this matter?”

We think the answer might come from Walter’s journal in 1936:

“Those building the road thought it was a waste of time to even ponder what made these burrows, and they teased me relentlessly for my curiosity in such matters. For the student of nature, everything is interesting and instructive to the eyes that can read it.”

If you happen to be visiting some of our stunning parks on the Canadian Shield this season, take some time to look for the burrows of the ancient Algonquin Rock Worm.

Photograph the tunnels from a safe distance, but don’t touch these sensitive fossils – researchers are still trying to glean what they can from them.

I'd like to find out more about some of these mysterious Ontario creatures. Not so much the wendigo. Maybe its just the popularity of the idea in fiction, but it seems less supernatural/ paranormal based than the others.

Some, like crying at the water falls, are common ideas with accompanying legends about romantic tragedy. These likely have an explanation to do with how sound carries and bounces off rocks, etc.

Sure, lake monsters are more likely floating logs or debris, a large fish, or just a wave in the water. But, I do wonder more about the possibility of lake creatures. It does seem there could be species we don't see. Yet, as with Loch Ness, it seems there should be some evidence when they test the water for DNA. It could be I just want to believe in lake monsters/ creatures.

Ontario's mythological creatures and mysterious folklore - Erin Horrocks-Pope

Gaasyendietha: Lake Ontario's Hydra Serpent Lake Ontario, surrounded by the ancient tales of the Iroquois and Algonquin, is said to have been home to a race of giant serpent-dragons.

Among these mythical creatures, Gaasyendietha, a massive hydra snake capable of breathing fire and flying like a bird, was revered by the Seneca people.

In 1805, fishermen near Kingston alleged an encounter of a serpentine creature in Lake Ontario, led to local panic, adding to the legend of the fearsome Gaasyendietha.

Described as a hydra snake with the ability to breathe fire and fly, Gaasyendietha's origins involve being born from serpent eggs or arriving on Earth via a meteor.

Stories of this creature, known by many names, have persisted through generations. While a 1934 hoax cast doubt on sightings, the legend endures to this day.

The Little People of Doghead Mountain Near the town of Nipigon lies Doghead Mountain, resembling the outline of a dog's head. The mountain was once known as Memegwesiwijiw, meaning "mountain of the little people."

According to the legends, the little people reside at the mountain's base, and there's a curiosity to see them firsthand. However, folklore warns about the trickster nature of these elusive beings.

The tricks of the little people involve playful disruptions such as tipping over open and unattended water bottles. Accounts include incidents where the little people interfered with a trap line, releasing the trapped animals.

The story of Memegwesiwijiw weaves a cultural narrative connecting generations and arouses a sense of wonder about the mystical beings that inhabit Doghead Mountain.

Wendigo: Malevolent Spirit of Algonquian Folklore Originating from Algonquin folklore, the Wendigo is an evil spirit or creature believed to possess humans, inducing insatiable hunger, a desire for human flesh, and a tendency towards murder.

"Wendigo psychosis" is a term associated with modern psychiatry that refers to a cultural-bound syndrome among certain Algonquian-speaking indigenous peoples. The condition is characterized by an intense craving for human flesh.

In psychiatric terms, Wendigo psychosis is considered a culture-bound syndrome because it is specific to certain cultural or ethnic groups. It reflects how cultural beliefs and folklore can influence the manifestation of mental health symptoms within a particular community.

The phenomenon is not recognized as a mental disorder in mainstream psychiatric classifications but is acknowledged as a culturally specific expression of distress.

A Reddit post from an Ontario resident depicts a strange encounter in the woods, hearing the poster's name called in a voice resembling their own.

This eerie experience aligns with Wendigo lore, emphasizing the pervasive influence of these ancient myths on contemporary encounters.

The Crying Woman of Manitou Falls The legend of Manitou Falls tells the story of a waterfall named after the Ojibwe word "manitou," meaning spirit. Locals near Manitou Falls reported hearing the inconsolable cries of a woman every night.

However, it was later revealed that the weeping woman was, in fact, the spirit of the falls itself, appearing as a misty shadow within the cascading water.

The reason behind the spirit's perpetual sadness remained a mystery. One day, outsiders constructed a dam where Manitou Falls once existed, causing the falls and its spirit to vanish.

Legend suggests that the dam silenced the cries of Manitou, the spirit of the falls, forever. There's hope that, occasionally, Manitou might return to her waters or the place she once occupied.

Igopogo: The Elusive Lake Simcoe Monster Lake Simcoe, just 80 kilometres north of Toronto, is home to another peculiar water-creature known as Igopogo. Also referred to as "Kempenfelt Kelly" or "Beaverton Bessie," this lake monster has stirred the waters of Southern Ontario for centuries.

Described as having a canine-like head on a neck resembling a "stove-pipe," Igopogo's sightings date back to Indigenous legends.

Despite the controversy surrounding photographic evidence and sonar readings, Igopogo remains a mysterious and rarely seen creature, adding an air of intrigue to Lake Simcoe's waters.

Waheela: The Mysterious White Wolf of the North Venturing into the enchanting landscapes of Ontario, the Waheela, a mystical guardian, emerges as a cryptic figure echoing through the Canadian wilderness.

Tales of this creature, resembling a giant white wolf haunt the far reaches of Canada, with sightings from the woodlands of Simcoe County to the valleys of the Northwest Territories.

Descriptions paint a picture of an enormous, wolf-like being, impervious to gunfire, adding a touch of magic to the folklore that transcends the provincial borders.

The Waheela remains an enigmatic and elusive presence, a guardian spirit woven into the rich tapestry of Canada's vast and mystical wilderness.

The Legend of the Sleeping Giant At the top of Lake Superior, Thunder Bay boasts the captivating sight of the Sleeping Giant, a colossal land formation resembling a reclining giant.

This geological wonder is more than just a symbol for the city; it carries the weight of an ancient Ojibwa legend.

According to the tale, Nanabijou, a benevolent god, revealed the location of a silver mine to the Ojibwa people as a gift, accompanied by a warning that Europeans must remain unaware, or the curse would transform him into stone.

As jealousy brewed among rival tribes, a European scout betrayed the secret, triggering Nanabijou's wrath. In a tempest on Lake Superior, the Europeans met their demise, and Nanabijou turned to stone, safeguarding the silver mine at his feet.

Today, Thunder Bay honours this legend with the "Wake the Giant" festival, fostering inclusivity and paying homage to the guardian of Lake Superior's precious gift.

As a reader (and keeper of books) one thing I especially like are bookends. I have some standard black wire bookends which do the job of keeping my books from falling over. But, they just do the job, nothing more. I prefer bookends with some drama, some personality and some mystery even. Sometimes I like a romantic style, sometimes architecture catches my eye and I have bookends which are not really bookends but chunks of rock and stone from old buildings.

Whatever bookends attract you they still need to be functional. The purpose of bookends is not to pose fashionable at the end of a row of books. Bookends need to hold up your books, keep them from falling over on bookshelves and then slipping and slopping their way onto the floor. Bookends are great.

I have a lovely bookshelf but... the sides were not designed with the idea of keeping books in place. The sides are left open and my books fall through if I don't use bookends to hold them in place. I also use this for my very small collection of video games and my even smaller collection of movies on DVDs. So, bookends aren't just for books and book readers.

Gargoyles Would Look Great on my Bookshelves

Don't those gargoyles look great. Sitting there, quiet, still and supposedly made of rock with rock for brains too. However, I suspect when you head off to work, school, or whatever it is you do with your day, the gargoyles will read your books. I hope you pick something good for them to read. Change around the books they hold too. You don't want to leave them with nothing new to read.

You don't need to leave your gargoyles milk and cookies, that would be silly. You're just thinking of Santa. But, a well placed bookmark would be a great idea to keep them from turning down pages to mark their place in your book.

Does a dragon count as a gargoyle? I think so. Dragons have been seen on the sides of buildings among the other odder looking gargoyles. I wonder if they all have their books tucked away up there, hidden from public view?

Gargoyle Girl, is/was a site by Gigi Pandian. It's still online but no longer updated.

Ontario Cryptozoology. an abandoned blog. I could not find it continued somewhere else. But, it might have become larger, focusing on all of Canada. This site only had two posts about the topic, others were about forming a group.

Monday, June 16, 2008 Igopogo

Everyones heard the story of there being a creature that lives in Lake Simcoe. Most descriptions of said creature state that its about 12 feet in length, has a long neck, and a head resembling that of a dog. A few descriptions also claim that it has fins.

Not too many pictures around of this creature, however floating around somewhere is a video that has been seen by some very big names. The most I can find on this video is a description so here it is. "According to the unnamed videographer, while a friend was preparing for a hydroplane race, he suffered a mechanical breakdown and was forced to pause for repairs near the south end of the lake. As the racer lifted the engine hatch in order to assess the damage, a large animal suddenly surfaced directly in front of him - stunning the racer as well as the spectators on the shoreline. The viewers began to panic as the creature slowly lowered its head into the water. It continued to stare at the racer before disappearing completely"

any thoughts?

Tuesday, July 8, 2008 Lake Erie Monster

Since August of 2001, an unknown, aquatic predator has been savagely attacking swimmers - especially those unlucky enough to go swimming off the Pump House beach, near Port Dover, Ontario. In a span of less that 24 hours - no less than three people were bitten by a large, unseen animal.

Dr. Harold Hynscht treated three patients recently who suffered major bites on their legs after swimming in Lake Erie beside the Port Dover pump house. All were in about a meter of water when the attacks occurred. Hynscht, a diver with extensive knowledge of aquatic life, is at a loss to identify the animal that caused them. The bites were not minor. Six inches separated the wounds inflicted by the top and bottom teeth, suggesting the animal has a large mouth.

It wasn't long before rumors began to spread through Port Dover and its neighbouring communities, regarding the source of these vicious attacks. Wildly speculative theories from a rogue school of piranhas, which may have been released into the wild after they grew too big for their owner's aquarium, to a baby nessie-like creature which may have been swimming closer to shore in search of prey. Other researchers have suggest that the animals may be similar to the eel-like cryptids which allegedly haunt Newfoundland's Crescent Lake.