If you think a walk in the park is just a walk in the park, think again. Imagine being out in nature, and instead of simply passing by the usual suspects – birds, trees, and flowers – you’re discovering bizarre, hilarious, and downright quirky creatures that are just waiting for you to spot them. Well, that’s where iNaturalist comes in. Whether you’re an experienced nature enthusiast or just someone who loves a good laugh, iNaturalist is your new best friend for fun-filled, sometimes wacky, outdoor exploration!

Let’s face it: the natural world is filled with endless surprises, and a simple nature hike can turn into an adventure full of laughs, discoveries, and, of course, some serious “what in the world?” moments. And this April, as we celebrate the 55th birthday of Earth Month and the 10th anniversary of the City Nature Challenge (April 25 – 28, 2025), there’s no better time to step outside and start your own journey of discovery.

Why iNaturalist?

Imagine you’re strolling through a meadow, and you spot a flower that’s not quite like any other – it’s vibrant, it’s strange, and it’s demanding to be admired. Now, imagine having the power to instantly identify that flower, learn its scientific name, and share your discovery with a global community of nature enthusiasts. That’s iNaturalist for you – a brilliant app that lets you document, identify, and explore the wonders of nature, all while contributing to science. It’s as simple as snapping a picture of your find and letting the app and its user community help you figure out what it is.

The Fun of iNaturalist: Hilarious Nature Hike Ideas

While observing nature for the City Nature Challenge, you’ll encounter the usual suspects like plants, animals, and fungi. But here are a few quirky, hilarious, and delightful ideas you can look out for on your hike – the kinds of observations that will leave you giggling and possibly even questioning how weird and wonderful the natural world truly is.

• Not Your Average Wildlife Photography: Forget perfect wildlife shots – capture the hilarious moments when an animal is mid-sneeze or caught in a very awkward pose. (Hey, it’s not all about the majestic lion shots, right?)
• The Gross but Cool Initiative: Let’s be real – sometimes nature is gross, but that’s exactly what makes it cool. Think slime molds, creepy crawlers, or fungi that look like they belong in a science fiction movie. Gross? Yes. Cool? Absolutely.
• Splendid but Strange Wildflowers: Nature’s flowers are wonderful, but have you ever noticed those oddball wildflowers that don’t quite fit in? The ones with colors that seem to have been picked from the wrong palette, or petals that look like they were designed in a different dimension.
• The Most Ridiculous Roadside Flora: You know that random plant growing on the side of the road that looks like it’s trying a little too hard to impress? (please be careful around traffic) Maybe it’s overachieving with a bit too much purple, or perhaps it’s flaunting a bizarre leaf arrangement – either way, it’s ripe for a photo!
• Funky Fungi of the Day: Mushrooms come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, and some of them look like they belong in a cartoon rather than the forest floor. Keep your eyes peeled for the most bizarre fungi you can find – there’s always something funky lurking beneath the leaves!
• The Weird World of Water Bugs: If you’re lucky enough to spot some water bugs in action, be prepared to be amazed by their aquatic acrobatics. These little creatures scuttle across water with such style that you’ll wonder if they’re secretly training for a water bug Olympics.
• Superheroes of the Animal Kingdom: Ever wondered which critters have their own superpowers? Look no further than ants lifting 50 times their body weight, or birds that can communicate across miles with their calls. Nature is full of underappreciated superheroes!
• Stuffed Animal Mimics: Some animals are so good at camouflaging that they look like stuffed animals. You’ll laugh when you find one that’s pretending to be a log or a rock—nature’s ultimate game of “Hide and Seek.”
• The Antics of Ants: Ants are always up to something, whether they’re having a heated argument over food or forming impressive highways across the ground. Their teamwork is so impressive you might start rooting for them like they’re your favorite sports team!
• Mammals Who Never Quite Got the Memo: Ever come across a squirrel who doesn’t quite get the whole “forage and store food for winter” thing? Instead, it’s the kind of mammal who seems to think, “I’m just going to hang out and look cute while everyone else works.”
• Flying Insects with Impressive Skills: From dragonflies who perform aerial stunts to butterflies that flutter around like they’re auditioning for a ballet, these flying creatures are putting on a show. Don’t forget to capture their artistic flair!
• Weird Wildflower Sightings: Sometimes, wildflowers seem to grow in the oddest places – like between cracks in the sidewalk or on the side of a busy highway. These resilient little blooms can be found in the most unexpected corners, and they deserve to be celebrated!

The list goes on! There’s no shortage of hilarious, quirky, and downright heartwarming discoveries you’ll make when you’re keeping your eyes wide open in nature. And the best part? You can share them with the world using iNaturalist, and you might even learn a thing or two about the plants and animals around you.  iNaturalist has a magical Vision Recognition Technology to provide suggestions to you about what organism you have observed, and the naming of same!

The City Nature Challenge (CNC) – Let the Adventure Begin!

The City Nature Challenge (April 25 – 28, 2025) is not just a time to observe nature; it’s a global event that’s all about having fun while learning and contributing to citizen science. You’ll have the chance to discover and document as many wild species as you can – from insects to fungi, to the plants and animals that call your neighborhood home.

There are even four free events coming up for the CNC YXE to help you get involved, learn more, and connect with other nature lovers. Whether you’re a seasoned citizen scientist or a first-time adventurer, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

And with Earth Month coinciding with this milestone anniversary of the City Nature Challenge, it’s the perfect time to dive into the celebration, have fun, and contribute to a global initiative that encourages us all to get outside, observe, and document the amazing world around us.

How to Participate

1. Create an iNaturalist Account: Download the iNaturalist app (available for both Apple and Android), and start documenting the species you find during the City Nature Challenge.
2. Observe & Record: Between April 25 – 28, 2025, get outdoors and capture the incredible wildlife in your neighborhood. Record your findings using iNaturalist and share them with the global community.
3. Help Identify: After you’ve uploaded your observations, help others by identifying their species between April 29 – May 4, 2025. It’s a collaborative effort to make our biodiversity data as accurate as possible.

Ready to Start?

Don’t wait! Download the iNaturalist app today and get ready for a fun-filled nature hike like no other. Whether you’re out in the wild or exploring your backyard, the City Nature Challenge gives you the chance to discover the weird, wonderful, and downright funny side of nature. The world of organisms is just waiting for you to explore, and we can’t wait to see what you discover!

Happy exploring, and happy Earth Month!

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