So good to be back out in the fields after taking a few years rest. Back with much enthusiasm! I Heard about the Phoenix this afternoon (12^th) and got there as soon as I could. It was quite amazing in many ways, not least because we were some of the first people to walk inside.

The lay was stunning (as you can see from the photographs), flowing like a river, with many a swirl and a whirl. On entering the formation, it felt very energetic and exciting. It just looked so beautiful and fresh. The first thing that we noticed was the one standing stem of barley amongst all the flattened barley! (see photograph). We walked around the outside initially and felt compelled to walk with the flow of the lay. In fact, when we walked in the opposite direction it felt hard work. Every twist and turn caused us to gasp at the sheer beauty.

As we explored further we entered the ‘crown’ or top circle. There was an amazing energy to be felt. This top circle is surrounded by three smaller circles. These didn’t appear to have any tracks into them. There are photographs of some of these but this was no straight forward task. As the evening was getting on I chose to use a flash. However, it took 6 or 7 attempts before I could get it to work! In between attempts I took other photos away from the small circle and the flash worked. I did this a few times and it was quite a while until I could take a shot! I use top quality kit and this is most unusual.

I have also photographed interesting tufts and v-shaped inlets.

On closer examination of the lay, it was clockwise and we couldn’t see any barley running the opposite way in the flow, as sometimes is the case. Occasionally, there was overlapping lay. Nor could we find any bent/elongated nodes as I have in the past. No signs of expulsion cavities. We checked under the lay in many places and the crop was broken.

However this was ‘made’, we were in awe of this splendid and complex formation. It certainly had a powerful grounding and warm energy.  We felt very comfortable as we looked around. When we lay down in the top circle I felt quite light headed. In fact, it was quite difficult to leave such a positive environment.

What a wonderful way to spend a June evening!

© Photographs and Report –‘Silburyman'

Click on thumbnails to enlarge

REPORT

Yatesbury Field, Near Yatesbury, Wiltshire.

Reported June 12 2009.

This "Phoenix" crop circle formation measures approximately 300 feet in diameter. It was discovered in the early morning of June 12 2009 and can be clearly seen from the A4 near Yatesbury.

On the ground the laid crop areas are extremely neat and fluid. A number of very unusual elements were found to be woven into the fabric of the laid crop of this creation with Multi-directional crop flows and inter-woven layering of the plants is prevalent throughout this circle.

Very minimal damage was noted in various parts of this formation. The weather during the night of the creation was constantly damp with intermittent rainfall.

Report by Charles R Mallett.