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We all know that optical illusions play mind tricks by often using very bright colors and mismatching shapes to confuse our brains which are not always capable of dealing with such a loud and unexpected picture. And there's absolutely nothing wrong to be deceived by such eye tricks once in a while, in fact, if you like looking at the optical illusion pictures, chances are that you have better visual problem-solving skills.

However, there are the classical illusion pictures, and then there are shadows. Have you ever thought what happens when a shadow gets tired of following around the same people and objects all the time and goes rogue? It turns out that shadows can produce some incredible optical illusions, and turn up in the most unexpected places and forms. And what's even more curious, that the shadow, depending on the Sun's position in our skies, might create the optical illusion just for minutes or sometimes seconds. In other words, to catch a shadow creating an illusion is quite a chance of luck.

We here at Bored Panda have compiled a list of all the times that shadows refused to do as they were told, and took on a life of their own. Scroll down below to check the mirages caught in the form of shadow pictures for yourself!

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#2

Playground Shadows

Playground Shadows

Katrin Korfmann Report

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Dian Ella Lillie
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The scientist in me says "the sun is at an altitude of approximately 45°." The æsthete in me says "purdy..." :-)

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#5

The Sun Melted The Snow Everywhere Except Where The Bikes' Shadows Were

The Sun Melted The Snow Everywhere Except Where The Bikes' Shadows Were

yonkerrs Report

#6

Not Everybody Is What They Seem

Not Everybody Is What They Seem

Ri-RiY Report

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Zenozenobee
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Everybody wants to be a rat, because a rat's the only rat who knows where it's at."

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#7

Shadows Of Leaves From A Tree During A Solar Eclipse

Shadows Of Leaves From A Tree During A Solar Eclipse

xXISCOPEIXx Report

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Dian Ella Lillie
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, the tree's behaviing like a camera obscura! I'd wet myself if I saw this in real life!!

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#8

This Spiders Reflection In A Pool

This Spiders Reflection In A Pool

lnk7332 Report

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Zenozenobee
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love far better the reflexion than the real model.... And I changed my mind about go swiming finally.

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#10

Found The Eye Of Sauron While Wine Tasting

Found The Eye Of Sauron While Wine Tasting

ajustice83 Report

#11

The Shadow Of My Plane Formed A Rainbow Around It

The Shadow Of My Plane Formed A Rainbow Around It

emcdeezy22 Report

#12

The Reflection Of Kitchen Appliances Looks Like People In A Park

The Reflection Of Kitchen Appliances Looks Like People In A Park

felixtre Report

#13

Shadow Gives Impression Of Infinite Staircase

Shadow Gives Impression Of Infinite Staircase

hey_baberuba Report

#14

This Cat Food Bag's Shadow Looks Like A Cat

This Cat Food Bag's Shadow Looks Like A Cat

MarkSputnik Report

#15

Even The Shadows In Scotland Are Plaid

Even The Shadows In Scotland Are Plaid

BookerDeWittsCarbine Report

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#18

Sitting On The Couch With A Headache And An Ice Pack On My Head When My Girlfriend Tells Me Not To Move

Sitting On The Couch With A Headache And An Ice Pack On My Head When My Girlfriend Tells Me Not To Move

cdnchef Report

#19

Proposed To My Girlfriend And Realized There Is A Heart In Our Shadows

Proposed To My Girlfriend And Realized There Is A Heart In Our Shadows

Orion_91 Report

#20

The Shadow Of This Juice Glass Looks Like A Rose

The Shadow Of This Juice Glass Looks Like A Rose

SMatyac Report

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Night Owl
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, that's beautiful. Now I want to have a glass like that.

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#21

This Einstein Poster Casts A Sinister Shadow

This Einstein Poster Casts A Sinister Shadow

aelment Report

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Pepper
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel likes these are all some good ol peter pan s**t and i love it

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#22

My Friend's Golf Team Photo Had Some Unfortunate Shadows

My Friend's Golf Team Photo Had Some Unfortunate Shadows

Jodiee182 Report

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Hans
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bladder problems society annual convention. This year meeting at a golf resort.

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#23

These Fishnet Stockings Made From The Table’s Shadow

These Fishnet Stockings Made From The Table’s Shadow

Nicky-Al-Dente Report

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Zenozenobee
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

After Nike's bum bag sandals, fishnet stockings with flip flop is the next year trend

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#24

When Your Life Is A Mess But You Can Still Keep Up Appearances

When Your Life Is A Mess But You Can Still Keep Up Appearances

Ketameme69 Report

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#25

I'm Sure This Shadow Became Self-Aware

I'm Sure This Shadow Became Self-Aware

migraine_boy Report

#26

Untangled Wire, Looped Shadow

Untangled Wire, Looped Shadow

icanbenormaltoo Report

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Symbole Simple
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's fustrating enough to untangle a cord, how do you go and untagle a cord's shadow !!?

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#27

The Shadow On His Shirt Makes It Look Like The Guy In The Back Is Badly Photoshopped Into The Picture

The Shadow On His Shirt Makes It Look Like The Guy In The Back Is Badly Photoshopped Into The Picture

frameRAID Report

#28

Cool Sticker Shadow Effect I Saw This Morning

Cool Sticker Shadow Effect I Saw This Morning

TheMulletBurden Report

#29

My Shoe Lace Shadow Looks Like A Man Climbing A Mountain

My Shoe Lace Shadow Looks Like A Man Climbing A Mountain

htownaliens Report

#30

The Shadow From This Glass Bowl Is Beautiful

The Shadow From This Glass Bowl Is Beautiful

Coltons13 Report

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#31

The Shadow Of Two Mailboxes Makes A Perfect Up Arrow

The Shadow Of Two Mailboxes Makes A Perfect Up Arrow

merax_cc Report

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Daria B
Community Member
6 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's the hint to a hidden item. It shows you where you have to point and click.

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#33

This Shadow Of A Plant Looks Like A Decal On The Vehicle

This Shadow Of A Plant Looks Like A Decal On The Vehicle

NoahM107 Report

#36

That Awkward Moment When The Shadow Of Thor's Hammer Makes It Look Like Stan Lee Peed His Pants

That Awkward Moment When The Shadow Of Thor's Hammer Makes It Look Like Stan Lee Peed His Pants

lyssakeri Report

#39

The Shadow Cast By My Engagement Ring Looks Like Batman

The Shadow Cast By My Engagement Ring Looks Like Batman

sushi17 Report

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#42

My Friend Took A Picture Of Me. My Shadow Has Horses Legs

My Friend Took A Picture Of Me. My Shadow Has Horses Legs

Figment_HF Report

#44

I Just Noticed The Halloween Mask I Got For 1dol Leaves A Creepy Shadow

I Just Noticed The Halloween Mask I Got For 1dol Leaves A Creepy Shadow

iBoba Report

#45

My Bathroom Has Six Bulbs Above The Mirror, This Is My Shadow On The Opposite Wall

My Bathroom Has Six Bulbs Above The Mirror, This Is My Shadow On The Opposite Wall

ronvonjones1 Report

#46

The Shadows Of My Blinds And My Outdoor Table Created The American Flag

The Shadows Of My Blinds And My Outdoor Table Created The American Flag

thatonefunnyguy Report

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#49

The Angle Of The Sun Removes The Italics On The Shadow

The Angle Of The Sun Removes The Italics On The Shadow

aviatorlj Report

#50

My Friend Noticed The Shadow Of My Hair Formed A Near Perfect 55

My Friend Noticed The Shadow Of My Hair Formed A Near Perfect 55

xUnCloakedx Report

#51

Just A Picture Of Me And Benjamin Franklin Hanging Out

Just A Picture Of Me And Benjamin Franklin Hanging Out

RickoSicko Report

#52

The Shadow Created From A Bathroom Stall, Someone Saw An Opportunity

The Shadow Created From A Bathroom Stall, Someone Saw An Opportunity

locallive Report

#53

Friend Of Mine Caught Everest's Shadow On The Way Down From His 3rd Summit

Friend Of Mine Caught Everest's Shadow On The Way Down From His 3rd Summit

bug_eyed_earl Report

#54

Windows On The Entrance Of My Apartment Creating A Smiley Face In Sunlight

Windows On The Entrance Of My Apartment Creating A Smiley Face In Sunlight

crazymuffin Report

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Night Owl
Community Member
6 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's instructions - when you see a smiling face when going out you know it's going to be a nice day, and when not - better stay in if you can

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#55

His Shadow Looks Like Beavis

His Shadow Looks Like Beavis

jaboukie Report

#56

The Way This Tombstone Designed Makes A Shadow Of A Man Appear

The Way This Tombstone Designed Makes A Shadow Of A Man Appear

abyigit Report

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#57

Phone Cord Shadow Looks Like DNA

Phone Cord Shadow Looks Like DNA

uberkalden Report

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SnowyLynx
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Perhaps its genetically rebuilding itself into a new model for people to love (and then realize that its just a phone cord).

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#58

The Shadow Of This Closed Flower Looks Like An Open Flower

The Shadow Of This Closed Flower Looks Like An Open Flower

huskydaisy Report

#59

My Glasses Are Only Corrective In The Right Lens, This Was The Shadow Produced

My Glasses Are Only Corrective In The Right Lens, This Was The Shadow Produced

mttogo Report

#60

He Comes Out Of Hibernation Twice A Year, When The Sun Sets In The Southern Blue Ridge

He Comes Out Of Hibernation Twice A Year, When The Sun Sets In The Southern Blue Ridge

jasno Report

#61

The Pattern Formed By These Tables And Their Shadows

The Pattern Formed By These Tables And Their Shadows

babbettebaboon Report

#62

The Lighting On This Toilet Makes Me Feel Like I'm Peeing On The Smiling Wide Open Mouth Of My Own Shadow

The Lighting On This Toilet Makes Me Feel Like I'm Peeing On The Smiling Wide Open Mouth Of My Own Shadow

PedroFPardo Report

#63

The Way This Tree Lines Up With Another Tree's Shadow

The Way This Tree Lines Up With Another Tree's Shadow

RedRedRoad Report

#64

Marching Elephants

Marching Elephants

Michael Poliza Report

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Patricia Ross
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got it now. This was shot from a drone. No one climbed a giraffe.

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#67

Sign Outside Domino's Creates A Slice Shaped Shadow

Sign Outside Domino's Creates A Slice Shaped Shadow

life_on_TARS Report

#68

My Hotel Room Number Is Created By A Shadow

My Hotel Room Number Is Created By A Shadow

cdvsom Report

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Zenozenobee
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is not a surprise but the purpose of these numbers... yet I find it very class

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#69

My Boyfriend And His Dog’s Shadows Lined Up And Formed A Centaur In This Picture

My Boyfriend And His Dog’s Shadows Lined Up And Formed A Centaur In This Picture

burritopalace Report

#70

Unmelted Snow In The Shadows

Unmelted Snow In The Shadows

spicedpumpkins Report

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Ryo Bakura
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The grass has veins, ergo the Earth is alive. Please stop harming the Earth.

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#71

The Way The Sunlight Hits The Frieze Below This Roof

The Way The Sunlight Hits The Frieze Below This Roof

rigoletta Report

#72

Having RGB Lights Makes My Room White And Makes The Edges Of Shadows Colourful

Having RGB Lights Makes My Room White And Makes The Edges Of Shadows Colourful

anaballer Report

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#73

The Shadow Of The Waiter Putting Down A Plate Looks Like He’s Going To Murder Me

The Shadow Of The Waiter Putting Down A Plate Looks Like He’s Going To Murder Me

nito522 Report

#75

Our Fire Escape Casts A Pretty Shadow

Our Fire Escape Casts A Pretty Shadow

PygmyTwylyte Report

#78

This Shadow Cast Looks Like A Man Going For A Dive

This Shadow Cast Looks Like A Man Going For A Dive

mocroflavour Report

#79

This Shadow Fits Perfectly Into The Path

This Shadow Fits Perfectly Into The Path

Fullback98 Report

#80

Shadows Of Chicago Over Frozen Lake Michigan, USA

Shadows Of Chicago Over Frozen Lake Michigan, USA

frostyfarrow Report

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#81

The Swing Arm Position Of My Lamp Is Casting A Grayscale Shadow

The Swing Arm Position Of My Lamp Is Casting A Grayscale Shadow

Lettuce-b-lovely Report

#82

The Light And Shadow In My Office Spells Out 'Oil'

The Light And Shadow In My Office Spells Out 'Oil'

miserendino Report

#83

The Shadow From The Power Lines Makes This Baby Look Like He's Angry And Wearing Warpaint

The Shadow From The Power Lines Makes This Baby Look Like He's Angry And Wearing Warpaint

OrigamiTapestry Report

#84

These Two Hair Ties Diffracted Into Six Shadows

These Two Hair Ties Diffracted Into Six Shadows

killboy Report