A Nature Hike Like No Other - City Nature Challenge

Nature. It’s a world filled with beauty, wonder, and, let’s face it, some downright hilarious moments. While you’re out exploring your local park or hiking along a winding trail, who knows what delightful, quirky, and downright silly observations you might make? With iNaturalist, nature walks have never been more fun. In fact, the app opens up a whole new world of hilarity and excitement, allowing nature enthusiasts like you to document the weirdest, wackiest, and most humorous discoveries you encounter.

As we gear up for Earth Month’s 55th birthday and celebrate the 10th anniversary of the City Nature Challenge (CNC) from April 25-28, 2025, there’s no better time to join the fun. Whether you’re out exploring during Easter break (April 19–27) or enjoying some weekend relaxation, iNaturalist gives you the chance to document and share the bizarre and delightful organisms that inhabit the world around us.

Hilarious, Cool, and Wacky Moments in Nature You Can’t Miss

Get ready to laugh out loud as you check out some of natures funniest, most unusual, and downright magical moments:

Mosses with Faces – Who knew that moss could have expressions? Start your hike by spotting these green, grumpy, or goofy plants that will make you smile.
Adventures in Urban Wildlife – City critters often have a quirky twist to them. Ever seen a pigeon with a ‘bad hair day’ or a squirrel giving you attitude?
Plants of the Silliest Names – Watch out for flora that’s got a sense of humor, from Peeing Cactus to Pussywillows. Nature’s funny names never disappoint.
Bugging Out: The Weirdest Bugs – Don’t just snap a picture of any old beetle (well yes please do)— (but then) find the ones with antennas that look like they belong in a sci-fi movie!
Silly Snails of the World – These slow-moving creatures might just surprise you with their stylish shells or hilarious faces.
Funny Fungi – Mushrooms from the store might be just for soups—yet the mushrooms of nature well, they’re comedians in the forest, waiting to be discovered in their oddest forms.
Bizarre Birds of the Backyard – Think your backyard is boring? Think again! Spot quirky birds with ridiculous hairstyles or unexpected antics.
Mystery Mushrooms – What makes these fungi so funny? Their mysteriously out-of-place appearances and shapes will have you scratching your head and giggling.
Insects that Look Like They’re in Costume – Some insects look so much like superheroes (or villains!) you won’t believe your eyes.
Selfie Plants – Ever caught a plant striking a pose? These flora might just be looking to steal your spotlight.
The Oddest Organisms – Some things in nature don’t quite make sense, but they sure are fun to spot! Expect the unexpected.
Naked Trees Club – Ever seen a tree that seems to be proudly showing off its bare branches? They’re part of an exclusive club.
The Most Ridiculous Reptiles – From bearded dragons with personalities to lizards that look like they belong on a medieval movie set, these reptiles steal the show.
Plants that Look Like Other Things – Take a close look around. You may spot a plant that resembles a person’s face or something even stranger.
Birds With Interesting Hairstyles – Think the peacock is the only bird with flair? Think again! Find birds with ‘do’s that will leave you chuckling.
The Pug Faces of the Animal Kingdom – From chipper rodents to confused reptiles, spot animals whose faces just scream “pug!”
Unusual Bugs in Unusual Places – Ever found a bug hanging out on a window or beneath your shoe? They’ll be in your pictures soon enough!
Animals with Great Fashion Sense – Some animals just know how to accessorize. Watch for critters dressed to the nines in the wild.
Epic Animal Encounters – You won’t believe what these animals do. From wrestling birds to acrobatic squirrels, it’s action-packed!
Wildlife Photobombs – Sometimes nature’s funniest moments come from that uninvited critter who just had to sneak into your shot.

And the list goes on! You’ll encounter countless unexpected moments on your nature hike. Who says nature is all serious business? With iNaturalist, it’s a playground for hilarious discoveries, quirky creatures, and fun facts.

Join the City Nature Challenge (CNC)

The City Nature Challenge (CNC YXE) is a global event that encourages people of all ages to get outside, observe wildlife, and contribute to citizen science. This year, from April 25-28, 2025, the world will unite to observe and document wild organisms, including animals, plants, fungi, and other species. Whether you’re in the heart of a bustling city, walking along the sidewalk, peeking in the grass sitting at a baseball game or deep in the wilderness of your pocket park or back yard, every observation counts toward understanding the biodiversity of our planet.

But it’s not just about data—it’s about fun, discovery, and connection. By downloading the iNaturalist app, you can contribute to the City Nature Challenge, participate in fun and quirky projects, and share your hilarious and heartwarming findings with others.

How to Participate:

Download the iNaturalist App – Get started by downloading the app for iOS or Android. It’s free, easy to use, and packed with exciting features, including AI-powered identification suggestions.
Make Observations – Head outside, look around, and document everything you find! You don’t need to be an expert—just snap a photo and let the iNaturalist community help with identification.
Share Your Discoveries – Whether it’s a moss with a mustache or a bird in a funky hat, share your observations with the iNaturalist community. Don’t forget to check out hilarious projects like Made Up Animal Games and Funny Scientific Names.
Get Involved in the Identification Phase – After the observation phase ends, help identify species others have observed. It’s a fun and rewarding way to engage with the global community of citizen scientists.

Let the Fun Begin!

What are you waiting for? Download the iNaturalist app today, and get ready to embark on your most entertaining, quirky, and downright funny nature hike yet. From goofy fungi to plants with personalities, there’s no end to the hilarious discoveries you’ll make. And who knows? You might just stumble upon a wild animal that looks like it’s auditioning for the next comedy special.

Let’s celebrate Earth Month, the City Nature Challenge, and the wacky side of nature. Download iNaturalist now and start sharing your funniest, most unexpected, and heartwarming encounters with the natural world!

See you out there – and remember, nature is not just a classroom, it’s a comedy stage!

Come to Nature, Come to Life! …and there are free events!