Ghost Encounter: Solid Black Figure in Woods

by Cyndi
(Bucyrus, KS, USA)

I was taking a nature walk pretty deep in the woods on a mulched trail, with bare trees all around. It is mid March here, and the trees are still bare, so no leaves or anything to block the view between all the trees.

I have taken this path many times, I take my dog and we go for exercise. I was just walking, enjoying the scenery, when just ahead, amongst the trees, I'd say about 75 yards, I saw a tall SOLID black figure, I couldn't see any feet, it was just over a little hill, and it was moving so fast, I thought "WHAT was that?" I told myself it's probably just a person (a man?) with a black hat on running on a trail ahead of me and I would see it (him?) when I reached that point. Well, as I approached near where I saw this figure, I realized it was a dead drop off cliff, and there was no way anyone was running there. The trail actually goes to the left to go around it, and where I saw this thing was to the right on the edge of that cliff. I realized it was moving so fast because it was probably floating... not running. I saw it moving for a good 3 seconds. I know I did not imagine this. It was as solid black as a black can get. It had definite form, not misty at all. The top of it (the head?) was shaped almost like a rooster's tail.

So I thought it was just some guy running fast with a tall funny hat! That thing just vanished and I didn't see it again. I have not told anyone about this, I assume they would think I were crazy. I would like to know what this was.