We all love a good mystery, don’t we? Sometimes, the most unexpected things happen right under our noses. Maybe you’ve seen an oddly shaped cloud or caught an animal doing something completely out of character. It’s like the world is full of little puzzles just waiting to be solved.
The Facebook page ‘All Things Strange and Unusual’ is where people love to share these curious moments. We’ve had a good look through their posts and rounded up some of their most peculiar ones for you to enjoy. Scroll down to check them out and don’t miss our chat with one of the group’s admins, Kushani Gunathilaka.
#1 Kenya Power And Lighting Company Replaced The Poles But Retains The Woodpecker's Home
Image credits: Chathurika Mihishan
“This is why the internet was made,” comments one of the group’s followers under a recent post, perfectly capturing the spirit of ‘All Things Strange and Unusual.’ The page shares everything from bizarre fish and confusing street signs to mind-boggling shoes—exactly the kind of content we’ve come to love online. Perhaps that’s why, despite being around for only a few months, it already has over 66,000 followers.
#2 For Anyone Feeling A Bit Sad, Here's A Picture From A Woman Who Makes Teddy Bears For Her Pet Rat
Image credits: Mark Peter
#3 It Was So Cold Last Night It Was Impossible To Leave Them Out. I Love Them So Much. ?: Pat Van Acker
Image credits: Sara Wiley
To learn more about what makes the group so fascinating, Bored Panda spoke with Kushani Gunathilaka, one of its admins. “Connecting with our community and sharing things that add value to people is such a thrill!” she enthuses.
Kushani loves the incredible variety of content that members contribute. “The group is very fun, creative, and active. There’s no room for monotony here,” she says. “People all across are sharing things that you don’t see or hear often, and it takes excitement to a whole other level.”
#4 Every Baby Is So Beautiful And Innocent
Image credits: Sara Wiley
#5
Image credits: Chathurika Mihishan
One of Kushani’s favorite posts from ‘All Things Strange and Unusual’ is a photo of the ‘cougar shadow,’ a natural phenomenon that appears when the sun sets in the Superstition Mountains, Arizona, only twice a year—during the spring and fall equinox. “Most people were mesmerized by it, and surprisingly, some didn’t even know about it until the post appeared in the feed.”
#6 Photo Of The Day
Image credits: Sara Wiley
#7 This Owl Captured A Child's Stick Horse And Carried It Around The Town
Image credits: Sara Wiley
#8 Nigerian Dwarf Goats
Image credits: Pamela Larson
Another post that captured Kushani’s heart was a photo of a duck nest nestled among plants for sale at Walmart—not something you come across every day. The workers had put up a sign asking people not to disturb the nest. “It’s rare to see people go above and beyond to protect something other than themselves, especially nowadays,” Kushani remarks.
#9 Turkish Agate From North Ankara
Image credits: Sara Wiley
#10 A White Raven Spotted Around Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island, Canada. Photo: Lisa Bell
Image credits: Pamela Larson
#11 Amazing Driftwood Sculptures By Nagato Iwasaki
Image credits: Pamela Larson
Beyond the group, Kushani sometimes has her own encounters with the ‘strange and unusual.’ “I once had a dream about a place where I went to eat and drink with a group of people. It felt so real, but I had never seen that place before,” she recalls. A few months later, her brother visited a restaurant abroad, and it was eerily similar to the place in her dream. “I was confused, to say the least.”
#12 This Shadow On The Superstition Mountains, Apache Junction, Az, The Cougar, Only Appears Twice A Year For Approximately A Week Just As The Sun Is Setting
Image credits: Chathurika Mihishan
#13 The Rare Pit Bull Platypus ?
Image credits: Pamela Larson
#14 Faith In Humanity Restored ?
Image credits: Chathurika Mihishan
But where does this obsession with odd things come from? Turns out it’s rooted in our natural curiosity and desire to discover new things. According to clinical medical anthropologist and behavioral health specialist Meg Jordan, our brains thrive on novelty and excitement. Unusual items provide us with fresh information that stimulates our minds and keeps us engaged.
#15 Finally Found Them, Thumper And Bambi ?
Image credits: Mark Peter
#16 Meet The Majestic Maine Coon
Image credits: Sara Wiley
#17 This Is Hilarious ?
Image credits: Sara Wiley
Our sensitivity to new things is evident even in our daily routines. “We see it when something changes in a loved one’s appearance, when our favorite grocery items aren’t in their usual spot, or when an unfamiliar charge pops up on the credit card statement. We’re so used to spotting newness that it feels second nature by now,” Jordan says.
#18 Yes, Green Roses Are Real And They Are Very Special And Very Old
Image credits: Pamela Larson
#19 Zoo Rules! ?
Image credits: Pamela Larson
#20 At Local Walmart
Image credits: Mark Peter
In some ways, our brain is wired to seek out novel images, sounds, and words due to survival instincts passed down from our ancestors—“Hmm…that growl in the night doesn’t quite sound like my mate’s usual snore…”
However, recent findings suggest it’s because we are constantly motivated to explore our environments, take risks, and learn new things in search of rewards.
#21 These Clouds Are Called Undulatus Asperatus And Were Spotted In Gorham, New Hampshire ?: Crystal Lee
Image credits: Mark Peter
#22 Looking Out My Living Room Window. Summer In Alaska ?: Bonnie Sturn
Image credits: Mark Peter
#23 He Has Dreamed Of This Day ??
Image credits: Sara Wiley
So the next time you find yourself fascinated by something weird, know that it’s not because of questionable tastes or a particular sense of humor, but because our inquisitive nature is a fundamental part of who we are. Embrace that side of yourself with confidence and satisfy your curiosity!
#24 Close Up Fox ? ?: Dandinu
Image credits: Pamela Larson
#25 It’s Called A Walking Palm Tree Because It Does Actually Walk. When It Chooses A Location To Go Towards, It Grows New Roots In That Direction And Lets The Trailing Roots Die Back
Image credits: Chathurika Mihishan
#26 Ocean In The Sky. Rare Wave-Shaped Cloud Photographed In Wyoming. ? Rachel Gordon
Image credits: Sara Wiley
#27 I Never Realized Just How Big Tigers Really Were Until I Saw This Photo ?
Image credits: Mark Peter
#28
Image credits: Chathurika Mihishan
#29
Image credits: Mark Peter
#30 The Architect Who Never Goes To School
Image credits: Chathurika Mihishan
#31 A Mountain Lion Mother And Her New Babies
Image credits: Mark Peter
#32 Baby Male Cardinal
Image credits: Mark Peter
#33 He's Not Even Remotely Sorry
Image credits: Sara Wiley
#34 Ain't That The Truth
Image credits: Pamela Larson
#35 How To Make A Sea Lion At Home ?
Image credits: Pamela Larson
#36 Love This! ❤️ ?: Jeanne Santomauro Schnupp
Image credits: Chathurika Mihishan
#37 Sunset Dragonfly!
Image credits: Chathurika Mihishan
#38 Lion Cub Hanging On To Mom ?: Owenjasonkandume
Image credits: Sara Wiley
#39 Various Patterns And Colours Of Trout Skin
Image credits: Sara Wiley
#40
Image credits: Pamela Larson
#41 The Shadow That This Tree Makes Is A Work Of Art!
Image credits: Pamela Larson
#42 Fern Geometry
Image credits: Sara Wiley
#43 ???
Image credits: Mark Peter
#44 A Friend Of Mine In Cocoa Beach, Florida, Took These Pics A Little While Ago Out Her Back Door. Ain’t That Cool? They Call It A Fire Rainbow
Image credits: Mark Peter
#45 Killer Weld Art From South Korea ?: Gjunk
Image credits: Chathurika Mihishan
#46 These Are Called Scud Clouds. This Was Recently Captured In South Carolina. ?: Zachary Lane
Image credits: Pamela Larson
#47 Beautiful Aragonite "Flowers" From Cave In Mallorca Island, Spain. ?: Alismountain
Image credits: Sara Wiley
#48 Three Oseznos ? ? ? Dancing In The Middle Of The Forest
Image credits: Chathurika Mihishan
#49 Wolf Eel ?: Capt Matthewcourville
Image credits: Sara Wiley
#50 "A Mummified Fairy"
Image credits: Sara Wiley
