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What Did Frame 300 Capture? The Cote UFO Photo
On September 4, 1971, a Costa Rican government mapping flight photographed something unexpected above Lake Cote. Nobody aboard reported seeing it, but one frame contained a mysterious disc-shaped image that would become the subject of decades of investigation.
Michael Ryan interviews filmmaker Adam Pillon about his documentary, The Cote Photo, made with Megan Woomer. Adam shares the story behind the film, from researcher Esteban Carranza’s fascination with the photograph to meeting Sergio Loaiza, the cartographer who was aboard the mapping flight.
They discuss the enormous nine-by-nine-inch film negative, Michael Strickland’s high-resolution drum scan, and what photographic analysis can—and cannot—tell us about the image. Beyond the technical questions, the conversation explores the people whose lives have been touched by UFO experiences and why their stories matter.
Also in this episode:
- Michael and Christine continue their discussion of Battelle, nonprofit research organizations, and questions about classified research and public access.
- Christine looks at other UFO reports surrounding the famous 1967 Shag Harbour incident.
- Strange lights over New Jersey turn out to have a musical explanation.
- This week’s listener shout-out goes to Boylston, Massachusetts, with a tempting stop at Darby’s Bakery.
- Our dramatized UFO moment revisits a sighting near Batawa, Ontario, and unidentified radar targets at Canadian Forces Base Trenton.
- Joy presents Canadian aviation anomalies from CADORS reports, including unexplained collision avoidance warnings, navigation problems, and reported drone encounters.
More information:
If you would like more information on the Lake Superior Paranormal Convention click here.
If you would like more information on the Halifax Paranormal Symposium click here.
If you would like more information on Richard F. Haines and Jacques Vallée’s analysis of the Cote photograph in the Journal of Scientific Exploration click here.
If you would like more information on Adam Pillon’s documentary, The Cote Photo, including how to watch it click here.
New episodes of UFO Talker arrive every other Wednesday. Find That Human Said What? and our mini documentaries on YouTube at UFO Talker Network.
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Season 5 is dedicated to the memory of Frank Thayer.
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Female announcer: Joy Ryan
Male announcer: Andrew Helbig
The National UFO Records Center link here
Christine Scott's Centennial Books 1230 Broad Street. Regina, Sask.
