Watauga entity encounter — October 17, 1973

The Watauga entry is a short occupant report dated October 17, 1973, during that month's widespread American sighting wave. Its central claim is that a circular, copper-colored object hovered just above the ground while a roughly six-foot figure stood at an opening. Two children were near enough for the figure reportedly to reach toward them. The few surviving descriptive details are unusually specific: the being was said to have two clawlike hands and blinking eyes. The summary says it tried to grab the children, but does not provide their names, ages, exact location, a detailed account of their escape, or evidence that either child was actually taken aboard. The event should therefore not be expanded into a completed abduction. Retellings also disagree over time of day, with afternoon in the Rosales catalogue and evening in the NICAP chronology. Rosales attributes the case to David Webb's 1973: Year of the Humanoids and mentions additional UFO reports in the area. Those reports do not independently identify the occupants of this particular object. The plate brings the two children, copper-colored craft, and doorway figure together, showing the children safely outside its reach. Its restrained setting and low light are artistic choices; no unsupported landscape, facial anatomy, injuries, or interior examination is presented as part of the report.