Trail Cams Captured The Most Incredible And Mysterious Images
We all do weird stuff when we think no one is watching. With humans, it's when you get caught licking the lid of the yogurt container. With animals, it can be a lot of strange things. The moments when we turn our backs are when they come out of hiding to investigate our stuff.
Trail cams pick up those seconds when animals venture across our paths while they're being their most natural and unafraid. Check out these trail cam images that show what drama unfolds in nature when we're not looking.
These Bear Camermen Took All These Photos
If you ever wondered how trail cameras don't get knocked over then you're not alone. They get knocked over all the time. Which is why we have these to cub cameramen here to set the system back up again. They are fixing it, right?
It's also funny how these two are just barely too short to be caught on camera doing this. The person reviewing the footage is going to be so confused as to why the camera shook for so long with no one there. Take a selfie little guy!
All Rise For This Deer Showdown
Woodland life isn't all fun, games, and frolicking with your best rabbit friends like they do in Bambi. Sometimes it's serious business and you have to step up if another deer is getting in your face. Good thing Bambi's mom can't see her son like this now because that sweet lady wouldn't be able to take it.
This deer is either about to be flattened, punched, or be given a pep talk with the other one's hooves on its shoulders. Either way, this deer needs to stop thinking and start doe-ing.
Is This A Selfie Or A Hostage Situation
Just like parties and battles, taking selfies is apparently a universal behavior across all of nature's creatures. The compulsive need to take photos of ourselves is something we all share in our DNA - we're just wondering what this raccoon will do with the photo. Do raccoons have Instagram?
The way this is set up it looks like the raccoon is taking a selfie, talking to the camera in a reality show confessional, or whispering to the trail cam that it's being held in a hostage situation. Blink twice if you're in trouble!
This Is Some Weird Eye Contact Happening During A Bath
We all know what it's like when you're out with friends at the bar and a guy starts hitting on your friend and she shoots you the eye. You know the one. That's the cue for you to start coughing, say you just contracted pneumonia and need to go home, then grab her and leave.
This doe looks like she was shooting the camera this look when this buck started drowning her forehead in kisses. Nobody likes a forehead makeout dude. That's just the wrong move.
Just A Deer Supplying The Keg
This deer is the one you want at your party. He's the guy who brings his own beer and beer for everyone else that night. He even paid the rental fee on the keg and brought it over when he really didn't have to. This guy definitely gets a reserved lawnchair the whole night.
We're all confused about how this thing happened. Why is this deer stuck lugging this barrel around, what's in it, and how did it get there? The only question we don't have is where this guy is going because, clearly, it's going to party town.
Turkey Vulture Drags Home It's Dinner
We've all been guilty of ordering more food than we can handle. It's the fatal moment when you think you can handle queso-dip with pita bread as an app and a meat lover's pizza as a main dish. It's called a "shareable" because it's meant to be shared.
This turkey vulture knew the struggle of having eyes bigger than its stomach when it had to drag its dinner of dead raccoon home. It seems like refusing to take two trips to bring in the groceries is a mutual feeling throughout the animal kingdom.
This Covert Meeting Between A Doe And A Turkey
We all know the feeling of grabbing your coworker and having a secret meeting behind the file cabinet to discuss the finer points of why you both are smarter than everyone there. It appears that even animals have to escape for their little tête-à-têtes too. Hopefully they keep their voices down in case their bosses walk by.
This trail cam has captured the moment when the turkey asks the doe if she's been followed. These two definitely need their secrecy as they're definitely conspiring to be taken off the holiday menu.
This Bobcat On A Hammock Is Relatable
We all know what it's like to go camping with your friends and you end up doing all the work. You'll spend all day setting up the tent, building the fire, and storing your food while they sit back by the water. Lo and behold when they come sauntering over at nighttime trying to use sleep in the ten you set up with no help and driving you crazy.
This bobcat is definitely just like us. These deer spent all day relaxing by the fire and now that it's night time they've come to the hammock to sleep. Just ignore them, Bob.
Howlin' Like A Wolf
This is a truly incredible moment that the trail cam luckily captured. We've all seen this happen in movies but never in real life. This pack of wolves went completely acapella in front of this trail cam and started howling together - too bad this isn't a video.
They're probably singing Duran Duran's classic hit Hungry Like A Wolf. That one wolf in the back looks like he's nailing the "smell like a sound line" and the two in the front look like they're supplying the "do do do do do dodo dos." What a trio.
It's Not Just Bears You Have To Worry About Raiding Your Food
Whoever hung this drum of food up had the right idea but the wrong execution. This barrel needs to be quite a bit higher off the ground or it'll get attacked bears... and warthogs?
Who knew wild pigs were interested in our campsites and could get more than 6 inches of vertical. It's going to be a rough morning for these campers when they realize their supplies have been eaten. They're going to be packing boar spray and bear spray from now on.
This Deer Gathering Is One You Want To Slowly Back Away From
Thankfully this was a trail cam picture and not one that a real person took. If it was a real person they would definitely have gone mysteriously missing. This is one secret deer cult meeting that new members aren't exactly welcomed at.
It's one of those photos taken seconds before something wild happened. As soon as this flash went off maybe they stormed the camera, ran away, or took off their deer suits to live in their regular alien skin.
This Squirrel Found Out About Flying Squirrels And Got Jealous
You can't always get what you want. Sometimes you're born as a regular squirrel with big dreams of flying and you're stuck on the ground. Just like the Wright brothers, this squirrel didn't let gravity stop him and decided that if he couldn't fly he would at least fall.
Get ready deer because you're about to be the landing pad for this squirrel's dream. Just like you act when a 6-year-old that hangs off your arm and demands an "upsie" because they're an "astronaut," this deer is being patient and supportive of this squirrel's dream. What a good friend.
Why Is This Wildcat Riding An Ox?
Things that go together are peanut butter and jelly, baths and wine, and sand and surf. Not a small species of wildcat called a genet and an ox. There's got to be a better reason than just happenstance for this photo.
This photo is actually pretty head-scratching. There's no way that an ox would willingly let itself be ridden by a genet. Then again, we don't know that. Maybe they do this all the time and this is the content National Geographic hasn't captured yet but trail cams have. We should invest funding into discovering whether wild Uber exists.
Pick On Someone Your Own Size
There's a reason why wolves hunt in packs. Having more than just yourself on your team ensures that's you'll get dinner at the end of the night. Sure, you'll have to share. But at least your food won't turn on you like these deer did to this coyote.
Seriously, what was this coyote thinking? The deer look so unbothered by its attempts to attack him while he's there freaking out. This is when you call a friend for help. Ss long as it's not the middle of the night, they'll come.
The Neck Massage From The Seventh Circle
We all know the feeling of finally using our benefits and going to the chiropractor after 10 years of sitting at a desk hunched over only for him to dig into your neck and basically twist it off. You probably didn't even know your body could make those sounds. Don't move too much because you don't know if he made it better or worse.
This deer is about to get the neck massage of her life. Literally. This will be the first and last one she ever gets. The base of the neck is a serious K.O. zone.
Here's Another Deer With Stuff Stuck To It's Head Because Why Not
Okay so apparently deers don't use their antlers for what we thought which was fighting and sexual attraction. They use them for carrying stuff around which is honestly a better use. No more fighting deer, hug it out and lug it around.
This deer was on its way to the same party as the last one. Maybe it's actually a costume party and that's why these guys are looking so dapper. You can really see the shock in its eyes as it realizes the camera caught its costume on the way before the big reveal. Just don't post an Instagram.
This Dapper Gent Chases A Coyote
We're used to seeing animals stumbling across these trail cams, but we're forgetting that people are allowed in the forest too and sometimes they're dressed inappropriately for hiking and are screaming. We're not judging. The trail is for all folk.
This photo looks like a still from Monty Python's Holy Grail when the narrator is in the woods. Maybe he actually survived the film and is running the English countryside fighting coyotes and staying away from roguish knights. We're hoping for the best for him.
This Hover Bear Will Chase You Down
We've all seen Yogi on T.V. so many times that we forget that he's actually a wild animal that will chase you down if he sees you. Bears can run up to 40 mph and that's without the aid of fancy running shoes. If they had some Nikes it would be game over for us all.
This photo is terrifying because the bear is running directly at the camera, it looks like it's floating, and the ground around it looks completely undisturbed. So what we have is definitely a super bear. Thankfully this was a trail cam.
The War Of The Wings
You've heard of WW1 and WW2, but what about World War Wing: The Battle of the Birds? This photo seriously shows that mother nature is one tough lady and not to be messed with.
This photo has so much going on. Do you look at the eagle fighting the hawk, the bird on the ground, or the bird flying over the blood? Let's hope that little black bird doesn't try and get involved in the skirmish.
Here's Another Animal Uber
We're all sick of paying taxi fees. They act like they're the same price, but Uber is almost always cheaper and that's just the truth. It's especially cheaper if you're a raccoon, the Uber is a warthog, and neither of you carry or understand currency.
This move looks like it's right out of The Lion King when Timon rides Pumba's back. Maybe these two were able to sneak in and see the show somehow. They probably got into the premiere because Hollywood thought they starred in it.
There's Nothing Creepier Than Photos Of Deer At Night
Here's another photo you never wanted to see of an eerie deer gathering. This time it's slightly more innocuous as it looks like they're at a buffet, and who doesn't love a good family brunch? Especially when you're family only gathers around the dinner table these days when they're the ones being eaten.
The buck that's staring straight into the camera is definitely about the cast a forest spell on the trail cam. There's no way those glowing eyes are because deer can see well at night and are most definitely because they're haunted animals.
Mama Fox Caught Napping On The Job
Motherhood is a big job not for the weak. Especially when you have at least 7 kits and they're all vying for your attention every minute of the day. This fox mom knows that she's got to get her valuable Zs in while she can. It's only for 5 minutes...
This is a really cute moment that shows the usefulness of a trail camera. It truly rocks in that it can pick up these incredible moments in nature that we'll never get to see. They also remind us to call our mothers once in a while.
Mission Impossible Starring A Raccoon As Tom Cruise
This is a movie we'd all actually probably pay to see. Mission Impossible is good enough as is, but imagine adding a wild raccoon to the mix playing the main character? It would definitely be able to do all its own stunts just like Tom Cruise - though the director should probably bring some treats along for encouragement.
Look at that narrow escape! That coyote didn't even have a chance when this spider raccoon hopped onto the scene. All this photo needs is a snare drum track playing in the background and we have ourselves a chase scene.
This Is You And Your Friends After A Night Out
We all go out for "fun" but none of us really want to be there. Sure we'll make an appearance at the event but we're all secretly checking the time to see when it's an appropriate time to leave and go grab food. The after-event chow down is the real reason we all got dressed.
The raccoon after party is the place to be. They're all just rolling around in the McDonald's that they ordered on impulse. Will they finish it all? Absolutely not. It'll stay out all night so they can look at it and cringe in the morning.
Otters Need To Eat Too
Our favorite little zoo-bound water warriors that hold hands while sleeping can also be real-life animals that need to eat. So throw out your misconceptions of them as critters with their little rocks they hold and their sleeping buddied that do no wrong and sink your teeth into this photo.
Or fish, in this case. The otters on your Facebook and Instagram feed need to eat too and they eat fish like most other water carnivores. Nobody can survive on likes and little heart comments.
This Unlikely Pair Of Warriors
For humans, an 80% sale rack at Target is the ultimate divider we'd do anything to control that tears families and friends apart. For animals that divisive agent is food. The prospect for food can pit even the strangest combinations of woodland creatures against each other.
Is trial cam footage nature's version of World Star Hip Hop where nature enthusiasts post all the epic battles they capture? Whatever the case, these two are fighting an epic battle we're all invested in.
This Trap Cam Got More Than It Bargained For
Whoever set up this trap camera wanted to make sure that they got something on film so they placed a whole bunch of apples in front. Normally this would attract deer and other animals. In this case, it attracted a very shocked doe and a very terrifying flying squirrel.
Maybe this is actually the squirrel from earlier. We thought it was a regular squirrel but apparently not. All we needed was a dramatic reveal on film to know the truth about this flying champ.
This Porcupine Proposal
These two porcupines were caught sharing a smooch in front of the trail cam on purpose. These two definitely wanted to go public with their love by hitting the trail cam and all the trending pages on Facebook.
This proposal probably didn't go over smoothly. Hopefully, their engagement was less prickly and they were able to buff out the rough edges of their relationship before taking the quill and ink and signing the marriage document. We can tell these two are pining for each other.
Trail Cam Inside Area 51
You've heard of the Roswell UFO incident, E.T., and Mars Attacks, now get ready for some Alien versus Deer content. It's much less exciting because only deer are involved, but the trail cam adds a cool found-footage Blair Witch Project vibe.
If you haven't seen an alien abduction before, now you have. There's probably some kind of logical explanation to this like a light being reflected off some metal or a car in the distance, but those are just boring. What's more fun to speculate is that there are giant frog aliens that eat deer roaming the woods.
This Rabbit Moments Before Death
We all know good fight mashups: Rocky Balboa versus Apollo Creed, Balrog versus Chun-Li on Streetfighter, and tortoise versus hare. Get ready for a new mashup that will have you reeling and itching for more. Bunny versus mountain lion.
Does this pair of rivals seem evenly matched? They definitely don't from this trail cam's view. We're all yelling and shaking our screens at this photo for this unsuspecting bunny to turn around already!
No More Christmas
An interesting experiment that doesn't really make a whole lot of sense and results in some truly bizarre photos is setting up a toy Santa Claus in front of a trail cam and seeing what happens. Apparently, animals have a little bit of Christmas spirit since a bear took some interest in the toy.
Code red and green: the bear is eating Santa. This probably isn't the positive reaction that the trap cam setter was hoping for. Merry Christmas to everyone except for this Scrooge of a bear.
Swooping In For A Kill
Here's another photo that we all can relate to. Whether you're eating at home with your family or dining out with your friends and sharing a dish, we've all had that territorial monster inside of us that races to eat more than everyone else at the meal. When there's one chicken wing left and you "offer" it to someone else, you're definitely hoping deep down they won't take it.
This eagle has had enough of that hawk sneaking up and trying to steal a little bit of his kill. Sure they're splitting the cheque, but he was there first.
Owl With The Wing Slap
This photo gives us serious grocery store back of the head mom slaps. The one that you got when you were a kid and you decided to dump every brand of cereal in the grocery cart before throwing a tantrum when your mom would take them all out except for the Cheerios.
Looks like this owl is going for a serious wind-up though. This squirrel must've also opened all the cereals and started eating them before putting the boxes in the cart. Poor thing looks like it's about to get seriously scolded. Wait, do animals eat cereal?
Bears Can Apparently Do This Weirdly Human Move
This is a moment that makes you wonder if animals really are completely different when they're alone than the way they act when they're around humans. Do we really know how bears carry their cubs? Is this the normal way?
It's eerie how the bear is standing up while doing this too. Sure, it's probably to better get at what's inside the barrel, but it's setting off alarms in our heads about animals being people after all.
This Fox Fight Looks Like It Was Taken At 2am Outside A Bar
Why do so many of these trail cam photos look like the shenanigans of drunk people and not animals doing their thing? This fox fight at night is no exception, as these two are going at it like one spilled its beer on the other.
They may be fighting over some kind of food - that looks a bit like a ribcage in the background. But what these two don't realize is that the bar's kitchen closed a long time ago so they won't be able to order that anyway.
Hold My Earrings, I'm Ready To Go
There's a lot of deer on these trail cams but not many photos of does having a good old fashioned fight. These two ladies saw the other standing on what they thought was their dirt pile and decided to get medieval about it.
Who knew does fight like kangaroos? It makes sense since they don't have antlers to headbutt, but this just looks wild. This kind of conflict resolution seems like the wrong way to go about things especially if they're going to fall over.
Get Out Of My Room!
If you've grown up as the youngest sibling you can definitely relate to this image. Remember when you would try and make your way into your big brother's room and you would get a door slammed in your face? That's the energy of this image.
This deer definitely had some on his computer that he didn't want this little fox brother to see. It was probably nothing bad but you always wondered if he had the cheat codes to every video game stashed away in his files. The mystery still perplexes and draws you in.
Leave No Man Behind Doesn't Apply To Geese
There's no loyalty in nature. Animals aren't like us; if we see our friend stumble and fall down we'll laugh for a few minutes but eventually we'll stop and help them up. If an animal's friend falls then they're out of there so fast there's a puff of smoke that appears behind them. It was nice knowing you buddy.
When this goose's friend got attacked by a lynx the goose made the executive decision to get out of there as quickly as possible. It makes sense, but man is that going to be awkward to explain.
No Photos Please
This trail cam had a good run. According to the owner, this was the last picture taken before the camera was smashed and broken. This bird has had it with the paparazzi following it around and decided to take matters into its own hands.
We can't tell from this photo if this bird pulled Britney or not and grabbed an umbrella to whack the camera with. That would be an appropriate response to this tabloid nightmare. Why won't they just leave the poor bird alone?
Jump High!
This is one acrobatic deer! It looks like it might have been surprised or startled by a raccoon and leaped into the air as a result. It's hard to tell what is going on in the raccoon’s mind but from behind, at least, he doesn’t look all that disturbed.
We can’t blame the deer for being so spooked by meeting another animal unexpectedly in the dark – we’d probably react exactly the same way!
