(The preview was only available from December 2 to December 19, 2010.)
On the Cryptids Island preview in Poptropica, visitors had a chance to spot Nessie for a prize. She appeared as a small shape in the distance. Seeing her was mostly random chance, but the odds could be improved by multiple visits over the period of the preview.
The prize for spotting Nessie during the Cryptids Island preview (beginning December 2, 2010) was a Nessie Hat.
During the special preview of Cryptids Island (beginning December 2, 2010), anyone who spotted Nessie got a special Nessie hat. However, you could not always see Nessie, and when you did she was a distant shape on the loch. Players could only view the loch for a brief period each day. (see related link)
You look through the viewfinder at lochness.
The prize for spotting Nessie during the Cryptids Island preview (beginning December 2, 2010) was a Nessie Hat. (see related link)
The viewfinder game was part of the demo of Cryptids island and had almost nothing to do with the quest. It was possible to see a hazy outline of Nessie after you saw the dog barking. If you did, you received a Nessie costume prize.
The prize for seeing Nessie on the Cryptids Island Preview was a Nessie hat.
In the demo for the island, players could look around through the viewfinder overlooking the Loch. Some would see a shadowy shape of Nessie, and win Cryptids costume items. (see related blog link)
There was no way to see the actual monster on the Cryptids Island preview. Likewise, there is no way to see Nessie with the telescope in the actual quest. All you see is items disappearing into the water. (see related question)
During the special preview of Cryptids Island (beginning December 2, 2010), anyone who spotted Nessie got a special Nessie hat. However, you could not always see Nessie, and when you did she was a distant shape on the loch. (see related link)
The prize for spotting Nessie during the Cryptids Island preview (beginning December 2, 2010) was a Nessie Hat or other various costume prizes, from the Nessie follower to the Bigfoot costume hat. (Nothing but "virtual" prizes for your avatar.) (see related link)
The Scottish Terrier nicknamed "Sparky" appears in the viewfinder (binocular telescope) at Loch Ness. If you clicked on him during the Preview, he would bark at you. He is not part of the Cryptids island quest.
One dog, a little Scottish Terrier, appears in the viewfinder (binocular telescope) on the hill above Loch Ness. During the preview, he would bark when you clicked on him. But he is not part of the island quest.