As to what it is, heck I dunno, too soon to tell really. I just think we shouldn’t jump to conclusions too fast, or at least be more aware of why we might be jumping in any given direction. That this guy was on the naming committee for the monster is suspicious, but it’s not like the creature (if indeed it is one) knew that. I even half believe Biscardi when he says he had a sighting of Bigfoot many years ago. Neither particularly changes their credibility any. Biscardi’s a shyster regardless, just as this guy might indeed be trying to capitalize on the creature’s existence for his community and even personal gain. But if they saw it, they saw it.

It would be ever so lovely if cryptids only ever showed themselves to qualified, decent and honest folk. Most of us here would probably be guaranteed sightings. On the other hand, there would likely be a substantial drop in sightings if that were so. Most people are, well, very, very human.

On the other side of the coin, the photo does not help, and there is no definitive on this guy, could be looking for his proverbial 15 minutes of fame. In that case, probably a fake.

Either way, I choose to add it to the list for the Norwegan area and see if it jibes with other sightings/descriptions and info on that lake.

Add it to my list of lakes to go investigate.

I used to crew a ship in the St. Juan Islands, and on lookout we were always told to look out for ‘deadheads’, or waterlogged logs that floated vertically and bobbed up and down, sometimes rising two or more meters above the water. Seems like there’s a similar phenomenon at work here.

Also, mention of the corrected locale of Norway vs. Sweden has been made.

Interestingly enough you can see him here with the naming committee of the lake monster; “The name-giving jury consisted of Belbo, Aune and Sandnes whom by many is held to be the father of the lake monster. The jury fell on ‘Kudulla’. (…) Kudulen is supposed to be the old name of the lake, and in democratic fashion it was decided that the monster was a lady.”

While this may raise suspicion because of monetary interest (tourism), remember that this last article is from 2006 while Sandnes claims the photo is from June 2005. (Should be able to read this from the Exif info, or is this non-existant on cell phone cameras? I don’t know.)

In addition, the county governor decided to protect the monster by law on 30th of April 1991, because of the number of observations.

Anyway, it’s a Norwegian Lake Monster.. Wiki: Snåsavatnet. Sweden is a different country.