Photograph by Steve Alexander/Temporary Temples

Whilst not explicit, this circular formation in northern Hampshire evokes the forms of three dolphins. 

Photograph by Steve Alexander/Temporary Temples

The nautilus is a marine mollusc possessing a shell renown for its sacred geometric symbolism. This particular representation of the shell is the most beautiful to have appeared in the fields, manifesting at Pewsey in 2002. 

Photograph by Steve Alexander/Temporary Temples

‘The hummingbird’ captured the imagination when it manifested close to the village of Stanton St Bernard in 2009. In a season defined by airborne creatures it was a highlight for many croppies. The Croppie loves its wonderfully neat appearance.

Photograph by Steve Alexander/Temporary Temples

The barley fields at Little London, near Yatesbury, were blessed enough to receive two wonderful animal formations in close succession during 2009. Known as ‘the phoenix’ — note the ‘flames’ at the base of the tail — this was a great circle in a fantastic season.

Photograph by Steve Alexander/Temporary Temples

Twelve swallows embellish this impressive formation found close to Alton Priors, reprising the motif discovered at nearby Adam’s Grave in 2003.

Photograph by Steve Alexander/Temporary Temples

Minimal, bold and effective, this bird motif has been interpreted as both an ‘Aztec spirit bird’ and the indigenous American ‘thunderbird’. Whilst looking a little out of place at Barbury Castle near Swindon, it remains an excellently constructed formation.

Aficionados may remember this to be the crop circle that undeservedly inspired a video recording and a whole lot of cable-suspended nonsense!

Photograph by Steve Alexander/Temporary Temples

Widely interpreted as a stylised representation of a bee, this circle appeared under Milk Hill and the Alton Barnes White Horse in 2004. The Croppie remembers seeing for the first time and being blown away by its simplistic elegance. Critics have noticed that the three grapeshot circles above the ‘head’ are essential for a human-made circle, but don’t let that detract from a classic formation.

During 2012 an illustration of this crop circle was used as the symbol for a conservation project called the Bee Guardian Foundation.

Photograph © Jaggery (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Photograph by Steve Alexander/Temporary Temples

This was the first of two animal linked circles to have appeared near Yatesbury in close succession during 2009. The Croppie has seen it said that the bordering of this wonderful ‘dragonfly’ is flawed and imprecise, but its this organic feel that contributes to the formation’s appeal.

Photograph by John Montgomery

How can you not be taken in by the standing tufts in the eyes, as well as the crack-like detail in the wings? 

The Croppie vividly recals visiting the area just a couple of days before ‘the owl’ appeared and subsequently being unable to return. At the time there wasn’t too much disappointment — after all, one has never been a huge fan of wildlife themed circles — but more recently it feels such an incredible formation to have missed out on.

Photograph by Steve Alexander/Temporary Temples

The real beauty of this circle is not the face of the owl; it’s the detail in the ‘feathers’ on the border. They really do look like what they’re supposed to be.

Photograph by Lucy Pringle

Even in Lucy Pringle’s photo (above) it’s still not totally clear how much care has gone into this part of the circle. The Croppie recommends getting down to the Crop Circle Exhibition & Information Centre in Honeystreet to view the enlarged images on the downstairs wall display. Only then will you appreciate what a fantastic creation ‘the owl’ truly is.