There’s no better way to spend a weekend in April than diving into the wild, unpredictable world of nature—and the City Nature Challenge (CNC YXE) offers just the perfect excuse to do so. From Friday, April 25, to Sunday, April 28, 2025, which overlaps your family’s Easter break, you’ll have the chance to connect with your local nature scene and make a real difference for biodiversity, all while gathering hilarious and heartwarming observations along the way.
As we head into another round of the CNC, one thing becomes abundantly clear: nature has a fantastic sense of humor, and sometimes the wildest moments come from simply paying attention to the unexpected stars of the show.
The Silly Side of Science: When the Star of the Show Isn’t What You Expect
Let’s be real: sometimes the coolest thing in a nature photo isn’t the organism you set out to capture. Case in point: a recent hilarious iNaturalist observation that made its way to Reddit. The caption? “What are these beach flowers? Ignore the elephant seal.” Yep, you read that correctly. Someone was so focused on identifying the flowers in their photo that they asked others to ignore the massive elephant seal photobombing the scene. Classic!
This got me thinking—nature is full of surprises, and not all of them involve the creatures we think will steal the spotlight. That’s exactly the inspiration behind a wonderfully silly project on iNaturalist: Ignore the Elephant Seal. You read that right—someone was so focused on identifying the flowers in their photo, they asked everyone to ignore the gigantic elephant seal photobombing the shot! It’s all about the moments when something in your photo becomes the unintentional star of the show. Maybe you’re out there photographing a peaceful field of flowers, and then, boom—a random turtle decides to crash the scene, or a bird flies by, striking the most majestic pose imaginable.
I mean, let’s face it, nature doesn’t always stick to the script, and sometimes it’s those accidental photobombs and surprise moments that bring the most joy. This project is a celebration of those goofy and unexpected nature moments, where the plants, bugs, or critters that catch our attention aren’t the ones we originally set out to observe. And honestly, that’s what makes it so much fun.
So next time you’re out snapping photos, keep your eyes peeled. Who knows? You might catch a magnificent animal striking a pose—or, you might just get photobombed by an elephant seal. Either way, you’ll have a memory worth sharing, and possibly a good laugh along the way.
It’s a delightful reminder that even when you’re so focused on one thing, nature might just throw something far more interesting into the frame, making the identification process all the more entertaining.
Speaking of unexpected moments, one iNaturalist project you won’t want to miss is Epic Poses. This treasure trove of magnificent animal poses captures creatures in their most dynamic, human-like stances. Picture an owl mid-glare or a fox striking a yoga pose—these are animals who know how to work the camera. And let’s face it, when an animal’s got charisma, it’s impossible not to smile.
Then there’s Organisms Celebrating Holidays, a project that showcases our nature-loving friends as they don seasonal decorations. While you might spot a bird rocking a Christmas ornament or a turtle with a little party hat, the beauty lies in the imagination it takes to see these creatures as partaking in the holidays just like us. Maybe it’s a stretch, but hey, it’s all in good fun!
And if you really want to dive into the weird and wonderful world of nature’s quirks, check out Amazing Aberrants. This project celebrates organisms with rare colorations or unique features—like albino squirrels or an unusually colored flower that’s caught your eye. It’s the perfect place to document your own nature surprises, like the moment you spot a purple crocus that’s a little more lavender than expected.
For those who love a good laugh, the Observational Comedy project is your go-to spot. This is the project for those observations where the story behind the image is just as important as the creature you’re spotting. Whether it’s a frog giving you the side-eye or a bird trying to pull off its best “I didn’t do it!” face, these amusing moments are bound to keep you entertained as you engage with nature.
But there’s one more iNaturalist project that truly captures the fun side of nature: The Name Game. Who doesn’t love a species with a quirky or downright hilarious name? From “Spotted Wobbegong” to the laugh-out-loud “Ghost Flower,” this project is a collection of the weirdest, wackiest, and most wonderful species names out there. It’s a chance to appreciate nature’s sense of humor in full force—and, really, who can resist an organism with an epic name?
As we embark on the City Nature Challenge, it’s important to remember that it’s about more than just observation—it’s about community, fun, and connecting to the natural world in ways that remind us just how strange, funny, and beautiful life can be. This event encourages you to get outside, explore your surroundings, and document the wonders that nature throws your way, no matter how bizarre or unexpected they might seem.
And, if you’re still wondering how you can participate in this global citizen science event, it’s easy! Simply create an iNaturalist account on your smartphone app, head out into your local parks, back yard, bus stop, gardens, or nature reserves, and start snapping photos of wild animals, plants, fungi, and other species you encounter. From April 25 to April 28, take the time to upload your observations to help document the incredible biodiversity in your area. Then, from April 29 to May 4, help identify others’ findings and contribute to the global knowledge of species distribution.
But the best part of the City Nature Challenge isn’t just about collecting data—it’s the moments of joy and laughter that come with every new sighting. Whether you’re discovering that the beach flowers you’re so intent on photographing have been photobombed by an elephant seal or spotting a bird in a hat, nature’s comedy will keep you coming back for more.
So, are you ready to connect with nature in a whole new way? Collect your family for the upcoming holiday Friday April 19 to Sunday April 27, pack your camera, smartphone, binoculars or magnifying glass, grab your sense of humor, and join the City Nature Challenge April 25 – April 28, 2025. Whether you’re in it for the science or the giggles, there’s no better way to celebrate the 55th birthday of Earth Month, connect with your community, and discover the quirky side of the natural world. Let’s get outside and have some fun! While students are wrapping up their Easter Break (a glorious 9-day stretch of nature-filled fun from April 19 to April 27), the City Nature Challenge presents an incredible opportunity for all of us to connect with the great outdoors, discover wild organisms, and take part in citizen science, and get some practice time in before the CNC YXE!
Come to Nature, Come to Life! …and there are free events!
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NEW P4G District Official Community Plan
Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area is located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada north of Cedar Villa Road, within city limits, in the furthest south west area of the city. 52° 06′ 106° 45′
Addresses:
Part SE 23-36-6 – Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area – 241 Township Road 362-A
Part SE 23-36-6 – SW Off-Leash Recreation Area (Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area ) – 355 Township Road 362-A
S ½ 22-36-6 Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area (West of SW OLRA) – 467 Township Road 362-A
NE 21-36-6 “George Genereux” Afforestation Area – 133 Range Road 3063
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Where is the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area? with map
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Richard St. Barbe Baker
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