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Dear All,

Thanks to everyone who responded to our initial reporting of this possible RDF near Phoenix, Arizona.  There were many helpful observations, commentary, and offers of field assistance which came our way.  Here is what we now have been able to determine since the original report of information with photos by Rod 'Bearcloud' Berry: 

Linda Howe at www.earthfiles.com managed to convince KTVK Channel 3 in Phoenix to use their helicopter yesterday to acquire several aerial photos of the original RDF location which is close to Tolleson, Arizona:

 You will notice two things:  (1) all the flattened damage is confined to the crop between the tramlines, and (2) there appears to be a somewhat regular pattern of polygons that have been both flattened and left standing:

[The crop has been identified as barley - not wheat as originally indicated.] 

 Kathy Doore and Denise Wahlberg, both living in the Phoenix area, expressed interest in visiting the site, and went out and took additional pictures on Sunday, May 22.  They have their photos up online at this website: http://www.labyrinthina.com/phoenixcropformation.htm

 They report that the formation did come down close to a water source (an irrigation ditch) which you can see in this photo (where they crossed to get into the field):

 They also report that the formation was aligned due North-South:

 This was confirmed by ground photos taken by KTVK Channel 3:

 This damaged field was first spotted by Trent Johnson, foreman of Brooks Farms who leases and farms this field, sometime between May 11-15.  This damage occurred after they flood-irrigated their field (along the tramlines) and after the area experienced a sustained windstorm (winds gusting to 50 mph).  Mr. Johnson believes this was directly responsible for the damage.  He also indicates that the flattening was confined to the area only between the tramlines as a result of the previous season's planting of cotton, some of which is still growing in-between the tramlines strengthening that section of crop - protecting it from the damage received elsewhere in the field.  KTVK reports that two other fields nearby also received similar damage (no photos).  Expect a more detailed interview with Trent Johnson to come from both KTVK and Linda Howe's Earthfiles. 

Bearcloud, Kathy, and Denise pointed out that the satellite photo from Google Maps I provided in the initial report appeared to not be in the correct location.  I verified this.  Google's map was off by a few blocks.  It appears to be that Google Maps is just a bit off from the map location when you switch back and forth with the satellite view.  Here's is what I've been able to identify now as to the locations on the satellite photo: 

 I wrote to Google to notify them of this, and to see if they could provide a date for when the photo was taken.  Here is the reply I received -

 We strive to acquire the highest quality content for the satellite images displayed in Google Maps (beta). Most images are approximately one to two years old. >Although the frequency of updates may vary, we strive to refresh our data consistently. 

Regards,

The Google Team 

Basically, that's not much of an answer.  The primary reason that Bearcloud, Kathy, and Denise were confused by the Google photo is lack of a Wal-Mart which was located nearby.  In the above satellite photo the Wal-Mart doesn't exist - which means the photo was taken before the Wal-Mart was built!  Here is the most updated satellite photo of the area I could find from September 1, 2004 (which shows the Wal-Mart - the big white building in the center of both photos): 

This means that the three parallel lines 'event' that appears in the Google satellite photo is at least a year old, and perhaps older. This leaves us with unanswered questions about that event, such as: when did it occur, what is the nature of that damage, and why does appear to be aligned with this year's event? 

Again, thanks to all who were involved in tracking down and investigating this report so quickly!  The ICCRA cooperation and collaboration process is working well!  Thanks especially to Bearcloud, Kathy Doore, Denise Wahlberg, Linda Howe, and the reporters and producers of KTVK Channel 3 in Phoenix for their quick investigating and photos, and to Trent Johnson for his helpful cooperation!  We will keep updating everyone as information continues... 

Sincerely, 

The first  American Crop Circle report  is from Kansas City, Missouri, USA.

It appears that the North American crop circle season has begun somewhat early this year!  I just wanted to pass along some information about the first event reported here in the USA that has come to our attention.  On Tuesday, April 26, 2005, three crop circle formations were spotted in a field along Interstate 635 south of Kansas City, Missouri.  Rebecca Brink writes: "There are actually 3 different large crop circles right next to each other."  Here is a photo of the central formation:

Ms. Brink also writes that since the formations were discovered, they have changed in appearance in two instances:  (1) the central circle in the formation pictured above originally was 'hollow', but by the end of the first day, the 'hollow' had somehow been filled in with dirt (2) By the second morning, several additional "lines" had been added to one of the formations. 

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  Mark Fussell & Stuart Dike