16 Hilariously Timed, But Utterly Confusing Photos From May That’ll Send You Into A Tailspin

The world is tricky.

Krista Torres
by Krista TorresBuzzFeed Staff

As a Senior Writer and Content Creator for BuzzFeed and Tasty, I specialize in lifestyle reporting, viral human-interest stories, and travel/food media.

Well, we made it through May, friends! We've been rounding up the most mind-boggling photos from Reddit to keep your brain in check. And, now, we've decided to round up the ones from this month that left you scratching your head a little too long. So, without further ado, let the confusion begin:

1. Which way is this person sitting?

Two people sitting in a casual eatery, both focused on their phones. Plastic bags and a bowl are on the wooden tables nearby
u/jdjdarya / reddit.com

They are facing the person taking the photo. If you are still confused, they are looking down, wearing a tan visor, and their hair is draping down over it.

2. This is not a giant seagull. So, why does it look like it is?

Seagull perched on a rooftop edge, with part of a building and open windows visible in the background
u/jhn96 / reddit.com

Someone traced the giant cable here to help. If you're still confused, u/Mbinku explained, "It’s the drop shadow on the front of the building facade. It looks like it is being cast by the handrail the bird is perched on, when it is actually being cast by the eaves at the front of the building, which are obscured by the handrail. Realizing that cable is a standard gauge, not a conduit holding many cables, was what made it click for me. Good shit."

3. This is not a distant, far-off galaxy. What is it?

A spiral-shaped snow pit with a small fire burning at its center, creating a warm glow amidst the surrounding snow
u/U235EU / reddit.com

Just a campfire in the snow.

4. This cute little statue isn't exposing her cleavage. What is it?

A doll with long hair and a teal top, featuring exaggerated facial features and expressions
u/SpectacularSpidee / reddit.com

She is holding her hands out, and what looks like her boobs are supposed to be her hands pushed together.

5. This man is not with child.

Pregnant person holding an ultrasound photo, standing in a tiled bathroom, looking at the image in their hand
u/Sad-Kiwi-3789 / reddit.com

The pregnant person has their face tilted back against the wall.

6. This girl is not wearing a shirt with a boob and a belly button.

Person posing beside artwork showing two faces. They wear a black outfit featuring a bunny design and make a peace sign with fingers
u/violet_evergarden8 / reddit.com

It is just the photo of a rabbit with a bow in its ears.

7. This is not a deflated dog.

Golden retriever stands on grass, tongue out, beside a Borzoi dog lying down with a relaxed expression in a park setting
u/Necessary-Win-8730 / reddit.com

The dog just looks that way! LOL.

8. Is this a whale tail in 2026?

Person walking on a sidewalk, wearing a backpack and carrying a bag, with a humorous optical illusion showing a skin-tone waistband resembling bare skin
u/PreferenceOk1525 / reddit.com

Nope! Just a tan belt on black pants!

9. Is this a ghost cat?

Cat sitting inside a covered litter box, its reflection visible in a nearby window. Nearby, an identical empty litter box
u/Genesis_the_god_ / reddit.com

Nah, it is a real one. The cat is on the left, behind the glass, sitting on the floor. It just happens to line up with the litter box's reflection.

10. These are not glistening buns, but I bet you know what this photo is of.

A magazine image creatively aligned to show two horse necks and a foal's face, resembling a single abstract shape
u/amcclurk21 / reddit.com

Two horses with their faces down, getting food!

11. The guy on the left didn't forget his pants. Tell us what you know!

Three sports commentators in suits discuss on an ESPN set. The man in the middle gestures while speaking
u/TipSecure8834 / reddit.com

I'm sure you've realized his pants match his skin.

12. The woman on the left is not doing anything inappropriate to the woman on the right. Explain.

Two women in sunglasses and casual dresses stand by a fence in a park with a cityscape in the background
u/Natural_Outside597 / reddit.com

What looks like the arm of the person on the left is actually the shoulder and arm of the person on the right! The person on the left is slightly behind.

13. This is not a row of barstools. What are they?

Row of espresso martinis on a wooden bar counter with bottles and dim lighting in the background
u/immanuellalala / reddit.com

Espresso martinis, all lined up!

14. This toddler is not holding up this man, so why does it look like she is?

A man uses a level on a wall while a child playfully holds his leg. The scene is in a casual home setting
u/greenehead1991 / reddit.com

The man is standing on a ledge, and the kid just has her hands on him so it looks that way.

15. Is there a hole in this countertop?

Plastic bread clip with numbers printed on it, placed on a speckled surface
u/SSouter / reddit.com

No, that is just a bread clip!

16. And lastly, this guy's member is not XL. What is this a shadow of?

Person sitting in a dimly lit room, using a laptop. A shadow on the wall is humorously shaped like a dinosaur
u/Aeromechanic / reddit.com

I HONESTLY DON'T KNOW, BUT IT CAN'T BE?! HELP IN THE COMMENTS.

Do you have a really, really, REALLY confusing photo that you think we need to see?! Add it in the comments below, and you could be featured in our next weekly roundup of stumping people!

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