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50 ‘Mildly Interesting’ Things Spotted In Nature That Are Actually Surprising (New Pics)
OK, I know "mildly interesting" doesn't sound as exciting as "nature is f**king lit" or "nature is metal" but this subreddit also features lit and metal pictures of Mother Earth.
Since its creation in 2012, r/MildlyInteresting has become one of the biggest communities on Reddit. It has over 18.7 million members, with thousands browsing the sub at any given moment.
As Bored Panda showed in our previous article, nature is one of the most popular themes in this colorful corner of the Internet—whether it's a random fact or a unique photo, the surprises keep on coming. Continue scrolling and check out the most recent ones.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
This Tree That Has Grown Across The Driveway And Sprouted More Trees Off The Top
Spending some time in nature is really beneficial even if you come back without a cool photo to upload on r/MildlyInteresting. The fresh air, the sun on our skin; sometimes a short walk outside is all we need to feel refreshed and revived. But that's just the tip of the iceberg.
The University of Michigan, for example, conducted a study that revealed students who regularly went for a nature walk actually had a better time retaining information.
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#2
Truck Door Handle On A Frosty Morning
#3
Flock Of Sparrows Portaying A Horse While Horses Gallop In The Background
In a world where we are surrounded by screens, taking the time to unplug and go outside can do wonders for reducing stress as well. Nature has a calming effect on our brains, even if we are going outside for just five minutes each day. Plus, outdoor exercise, like going for a walk, hiking, and so forth, gets the blood flowing and heart pumping, another way to lower stress levels.
#4
The Way This Ice Has Formed Looks Like A Tiny Forest
#5
The Way This Bird Sits While Eating
Korrie Broos 4 years ago
It is a woodpecker, the feet of a woodpecker is not made to sit or walk on, but to hold the bird in a vertical position against a tree trunk, So when on a flat surface it is very uncomfortable for the bird.
Studies also show that getting between 15 to 20 minutes a day of sunshine will allow your body to produce vitamin D, which helps strengthen bones and reduce the risk of cancer, type 1 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis.
Furthermore, research has shown that going outdoors can help boost the immune system.
#6
My Cat Has A Genetic Mutation That Makes Her Eyes Weird, Her Sight Is Perfect
#7
I Found A Mushroom That Looks Like A Little Owl
troufaki13 4 years ago
Maybe the little owl did something wrong and the fairies turned him into a mushroom!
Some of the health benefits of nature are due to people getting more active when they are outside.
But research shows that even sitting still in nature (as with Japanese “forest bathing”) can improve health.
Patricia H Hasbach, PhD, a licensed psychotherapist and ecotherapist in Eugene, Oregon, said nature also provides a break from hours of mentally tiring “directed attention” — time spent focused on our work, our computer screen, driving.
#8
I Saw A White Deer In The Woods The Other Day
#9
My Cat Has A Cookie Shape On His Belly
“When people interrupt directed attention with even just brief times outdoors, they tend to allow for more involuntary attention,” Hasbach explained. “This becomes quite restorative for when people have to go back to directed attention.”
These benefits, however, only show up if you put down your smartphone and give nature your full attention, whether it’s a breathtaking view of the Grand Canyon or a tree near your apartment.
#10
My Tuxedo Cat Wednesday Has White Lines Going Down Each Leg. From Underneath She Looks Skeletal
#11
The Area I Used To Work In Washington Looks Like Jurassic Park
#12
Stygian Owl Known For Red Reflection Of Their Eyes That Are Often Associated With The Devil
#13
The Inside Of My Purple Cabbage
#14
A 225 Million Year Old Petrified Opal Tree Trunk Located In Arizona
#15
Two Roses Are Growing Out Of The Dying Remains Of The Other Rose
#16
Black And White Squirrel That Came Up To Me On My Walk
#17
I Took A Photo From The Same Spot In All 4 Seasons
#18
Blue Sky Reflecting On Neighboring Building With Storm Behind It
#19
How They Replanted This Forest To Smile At You In The Fall
#20
I Have Partial Heterochromia In Both Eyes
#21
A Tree Growing On The Branch Of Another Tree
#22
I Found Some Icicles Looking Like Chess Pieces
#23
The Way This Tree Stump Has A Cityscape On It
#24
This Snowflake Perfectly Suspended On A Spider’s Thread
SongoftheStars 4 years ago
That's just the spider trying to add a little winter festivity to his home.
#25
This Cat Has Black Circles Around This Eyes
#26
This Cat's Markings Make It Look Like It's Nose Is Missing
#27
Found A Patch Of Moss Behind A Loading Dock That Looks Like A Tiny Tropical Island With A Palm Tree
#28
My Cat Has A Cat In His Markings
#29
The Way My Silhouette Appears Within This Circular Rainbow
#30
Jupiter And Saturn Alignment From Italy
#31
Watched A Crimson Rose Caterpillar Metamorphosize To A Butterfly
#32
Splitting Firewood And Found A Piece Resembling The Sky In "The Starry Night"
#33
This Rock That Looks Like A Sock
#34
This Eagle Struck Me A Pose On The Top Floor Of A Mall
#35
The Way This Pumpkin Has Rotted Is Just Creepy
#36
Tree Fell But Grew Back Up
#37
Bone Cancer In A Snake Skeleton
#38
The Skin On My Apple Kinda Looks Like The Silhouette Of A Camel
#39
This Knot On Our Door Glows Red When The Sun Shines On The Other Side
#40
The Pattern Of The Ice On My Windscreen This Morning
#41
I Went Hiking And Found A Rock/Log That Resembled A Giant Moss Puppy
#42
This Bridge To Nowhere. When The Tide Is Out, It Allows Beachgoers To Cross A Stream That Cuts Across The Beach
#43
This Egg My Chicken Laid Looks Like A Kinder Surprise Egg
#44
This Jalapeño Looks Like A T-Rex
#45
Was Cutting Down A Tree At A Golf Course And Found A Golf Ball Wedged In It
#46
I Found A 5 Leaf Clover!
#47
I Found This Print From Where A Gray Wolf Slept In The Snow. You Can Even See Her Ribs!
#48
Our Kiwi Vine Produces Mostly Twins And Triplet Fruits, Enough To Showcase The Cell Division Process
#49
This 5 Inch Moth We Found In Our House Yard Today
#50
Forgot Spaghetti With Mushrooms In The Microwave For A Week. Now It's A Floofly Ball Of Mold
LesAnimaux 4 years ago
You're gonna have to catch it and name it first before you can throw it away!
#51
The Way This Water Froze To The Fence
#52
A Tufted Titmouse Came To Visit
#53
Found These Beautiful Colors Hiding Inside A Piece Of Wood
Aunt Messy 4 years ago
Sell it to a woodworker. I've seen lovely turned bowls that are naturally colored this way.
#55
The Ice On My Wheels
Commander Rex 4 years ago (edited)
Let the ice grow out about 2 inches, then if anybody is riding right next to you on a bike, say Rest In Peace and keep moving
#56
We Can See The Current
#57
This Red-Fleshed Apple
#58
My Broccoli Is Blossoming
Sergio Bicerra 4 years ago
"Bobby?... U sure last sunday you ate all your brocolli and didn't hid it?" - "Errr... sure mommy, why?"
#59
This Sign Telling Me To "Duck"
#60
A Snow Imprint Of A Bird Catching A Mouse
#61
My Buddha’s Temple Succulent Has Grown Into A Sandworm
#62
These Light Pillars In Interior Alaska
#63
This Sign At A Local Nature Preserve Has The Words Inverted So You Can Read It In The Water
#64
Took This Picture Of The Snow Wave On My Roof Today
#65
Found A Bird Nest In Our Garden. We Have Two White Fluffy Dogs And It Looks Like The Nest Was Built With Their Fur
#66
A Piece Of Driftwood That Looks Just Like A Seagull
#67
Beautiful Drawing... Inside A Zucchini
Dynein 4 years ago
You are seeing the individual "carpels", which is the botanic term for what you might think of as the "seed-holding specialized leaf". In (most) higher plants, the carpels are fused close so the seeds are protected inside. Plants can have different numbers of carpels, and the carpels can be fused individually or as a group. Here, you can see that a zucchini has 4 carpels fused together. NOT the spade-like structures though - but see the fine line in the middle of each? That's the fusion line between the carpels.
#68
Wild Horses In The Town Center Where I Live
#69
Dopped My Headphone At The Beach And It Pulled Iron Out Of The Sand
#70
The Way The Snow Blanketed Around This License Plate Looks So Delicate
#71
Cubic Crystals Growing In Old Play-Doh
#72
This Cool Rock We Found In My Village
#73
This Chipmunk Came And Sat In The Chair On My Front Porch To Eat His Acorn
#74
I Saw An Albino Squirrel At The Doctors Office Today
Commander Rex 4 years ago
Where is your doctors office? And where does the squirrel live? Asking for a friend.
#75
Icicle Being Hung By A Few Strands Of Spider Web
#76
The Way The Sun Warmed This Leaf, And It Sank Into The Snow
#77
Two Toned Deer I Saw This Morning
#78
The Way The Snow Started To Peel Off This Wall
#79
This Cold Weather Phenomenon Today In Fairbanks, Alaska
#80
Halloween Decorations Covered In Ice
#81
This Strawberry That's A Perfect Heart Shape
#82
My Potato Looks Like It's Trying To Escape Itself
#83
The Sheer Number Of Colors That My Carrots Came In
Avery S Alberico 4 years ago
Carrots were all originally purple, then people bred and genetically modified them so that most carrots now are orange
#84
The Progression Of This Cocoon Hanging Off The Side Of Our House Is Awesome. Photos Taken 8 Days Apart
LesAnimaux 4 years ago
I have never really given thought about exactly HOW a catterpillar turns into a butterfly. Essentially a caterpillar liquifies and rebuilds itself into a butterfly. Nature is wild.
#85
My Drone Was Chased By A Swarm Of Furious Bees
A Head 4 years ago
My son and I keep bees in our backyard. When I had a gas powered lawn mower, they didn't seem to mind at all, but when I switched to an electric mower, they just attacked it. I have to wear my beekeeping suit to mow the lawn. I figure it's the sound.
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#86
The Moss Growing In This Bus Stop Gutter Looks Like A Tiny Ancient Ruin On Top Of A Hill
#87
The Bottom Of A Sulcata Tortoise Foot
#88
Perfect Snowflake I Got On My Sleeve This Morning
#89
This Rock I Found Has A Shell Inside It And It’s Been Worn Away To A Flat Spiral In Appearance
#90
This Piece Of Driftwood That Looks Like A Goose
#91
Crystal My Brother Found That Kinda Looks Like A Bean Burrito
#92
Chrome Blue Wasp I Found In My Backyard
#93
It Rained And Now The Grass Is Encased In Ice
#94
Splitting Logs Today, Had A Very Satisfying First Whack
#95
This Picture Of A Cloud I Took In 2011 That Looks Like A Horse Arm Wrestling A Beaver
#96
This Spiderweb Covered In Soot From A Small Kitchen Fire
#97
The Pattern The Ice Left On My Grill
#98
This Cedar Wood I Was Cutting Is Purple Inside
#99
The Way This Water Froze In My Field
#100
We Ordered A Pound Of Carrots. We Got A Pound Of Carrot
#101
Tree Absorbing A Fire Hydrant
#102
This Comically Huge Strawberry That I Purchased From The Grocery Store Today
#103
My Neighbors Tree Fits Perfectly In My Window
#104
This Perfectly Square Rock I Found At The Beach
#105
This One Kernel Out Of Place
#106
Pan Fried Brussel Sprout Looks Like A Tunnel
#107
My Office Plant Looks Like It's Banging Its Arms Against My Cubicle Wall
#109
This Palm Tree Growing Out Of The Middle Of An Oak Tree
#110
Off-Center Pupil I've Had Since Birth
#111
A Snail Shape I Accidentally Cut Out Of A Bell Pepper
#112
These Ducks Practicing Social Distancing
#113
Found A Lichen That Looks Like A Rubber Duckie
#114
My Hamster Has An Arrow On Its Forehead
#115
Beautiful But Weirdly Creepy Icicles Grew On My House This Winter
#116
I Found A Mushroom That Looks Like A Fried Egg
#117
Its 11:30pm In A Rural Town, But Outside Is Illuminated Thanks To The Very Low, Dense Snow Storm Clouds Trapping The Light
#118
Look At This Perfect Tomato
#119
This Whole Bulb Of Garlic Was Also One Clove
#120
This Rock I Found Looks Like A Speech Bubble
#121
Molar In Moss Outside My Dentists' Office
#122
This Leaf That Looks Like A Mouse
#123
This Vortex On My Breakfast Apple
#124
I Cracked A Coconut Without Breaking The Edible Part!
#125
This Spider Changed His Skin Several Times In The Same Spot
#126
A Slug Rappelling Down From My Roof Using Its Slime
#127
Woke Up This Morning To Find An Interesting (Natural) Ice Sculpture In The Garden
#128
Sea Urchin Skeleton I Found At The Beach
#129
The Same Wooden Cover On The Building, But One Part Is Under The Balcony. 10 Years Of Weather
#130
The Spiderweb On My Pumpkin Looks Like Plastic Wrap
#131
This Skull I Found That Looks Like An Old Tennis Shoe
#132
The Snow On My Mom's Lawn Looks Like Florida
#133
Driftwood I Found Looks Like A Starting Weapon In An Rpg
#134
This Moss Covered Stump That Looks Like A Tiny Log Cabin
#135
My Dad Found A ~20 Year Old Banana In His Coat Pocket
#136
I Cut Open A Navel Orange And Found Alternaria (Black Rot) All The Way Through The Core!
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What do you think ?
Tam-Tam 4 years ago
Love these! This article remind me to take time to notice the "lil" things we see all the time :-)
Jessica Shookhoff 4 years ago
So true! Today was kinda rough but this article put a smile on my face and made me feel like a little kid in awe of the world
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MuddyPuddles 4 years ago
unfortunately I can only see half of the images? The one's I did see were fascinating. I love posts like this
spirit wolf 4 years ago
Yes, I was wondering the same. Why can't we see some?
Load More Replies...
Mary Peace 4 years ago
But not everyone is on Reddit, nor wants to be on Reddit.
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juice 4 years ago
sometimes there's a glitch and you see a thing twice, but if you check it usually has the same number of upvotes and same comments. there was only one real duplicate in this post
Load More Replies... Tam-Tam 4 years ago
Love these! This article remind me to take time to notice the "lil" things we see all the time :-)
Jessica Shookhoff 4 years ago
So true! Today was kinda rough but this article put a smile on my face and made me feel like a little kid in awe of the world
Load More Replies... MuddyPuddles 4 years ago
unfortunately I can only see half of the images? The one's I did see were fascinating. I love posts like this
spirit wolf 4 years ago
Yes, I was wondering the same. Why can't we see some?
Load More Replies... Mary Peace 4 years ago
But not everyone is on Reddit, nor wants to be on Reddit.
Load More Replies... juice 4 years ago
sometimes there's a glitch and you see a thing twice, but if you check it usually has the same number of upvotes and same comments. there was only one real duplicate in this post
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