Robert Rines, a patent lawyer and a founder of the Academy of Applied Sciences, took this well-known and highly controversial photo from an expedition at Loch Ness in 1972. It is said to show the flipper-like limb of Nessie itself. Rines reported that the image coincided with the movement of a large object detected by sonar equipment. He claimed this was evidence for the creature’s existence. The flipper photo was even used to justify giving a scientific name to the creature of the Loch, Rhombopteryx Nessiteras (see entry). The original photograph, however, was unclear and had been enhanced by computer. A later version of the image, which was widely published, was far clearer than the grainy original causing accusations that the photo was retouched. Rines admitted only various enhancements had been used. Other of Rines’ underwater images from the Loch, such as the “Gargoyle Photo” of 1975, showed objects that were also interpreted as glimpses of the creature. But, more likely these were views of the lake bottom instead, said scientists. Scientific professionals criticized even Rines’ records of sonar contacts. In 2001, Dr. Rines returned to the Loch and was unsuccessful in capturing any more images.
- Sharon Hill (Scientist) |
Legend of Nessie: ��