The 2024 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards photography competition has brought forth a collection of the funniest animal photos of the year. This free global competition, established in 2015, welcomes all wildlife photography enthusiasts, whether novices, amateurs, or professionals. It celebrates the comical side of our natural world.

Uncover the Laughter in Wildlife Photography

Overall Winner: "Stuck Squirrel"

Milko Marchetti captured this remarkable photo in Bagnacavallo, Italy. In his words, "In Italy, especially in the Po Delta Regional Park where I live, squirrels are quite rare. But here, they seem quite confident. I managed to catch this squirrel mid-motion, creating the illusion of it being stuck. Whenever I share this photo in presentations, the audience always erupts in laughter. I knew it had to be entered into the competition."This photo showcases Marchetti's keen eye and ability to capture a unique moment in nature.

People's Choice: "Shake Ruffle Rattle and Roll"

Tapani Linnanmäki from Finland took this stunning photo. He shared, "In the picture, a white-tailed eagle is ruffling its feathers. I took this with the Nikon Z9's autocapture feature. The camera was placed on top of the sea ice, next to a bag of nuts at the ice level. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this series of more than ten funny poses and expressions. It was truly a sight to behold."This photo highlights the eagle's natural behavior and the photographer's skill in capturing it.

Junior (Under 16): "Smooching Owls"

Indian teenager Sarthak Ranganadhan took this adorable photo. He wrote, "Our parents always have a way of embarrassing us, and it seems the same goes for spotted owlets. It was quite a funny sight to see two owlets trying to get some privacy while their little offspring stood next to them with a grin and shut eyes."This photo captures the innocence and humor of these young owls.

Young Photographer (Under 25): "Awkward Smiley Frog"

Kingston Tam from Hong Kong shared his motivation. He wrote, "My goal with my images is to bring attention to our scaly and moist friends. It shows that not only fluffy animals can be cute and beautiful. Ultimately, I hope my work can raise more conservation awareness for these amazing reptiles and amphibians, and that's what keeps me going."This photo emphasizes the importance of conservation through photography.

Fish and Other Aquatic Species Award: "Unexpected Role Swap"

Polish photographer Przemyslaw Jakubczyk took this humorous photo, joking, "Every annoyed and overtired fish needs to de-stress by hunting for a bald eagle."This photo adds a touch of whimsy to the world of aquatic photography.

Spectrum Photo Birds Award: "Whiskered Tern Crash on Landing"

Damyan Petkov from Bulgaria captured this photo of a whiskered tern hitting its head on a rock while attempting to land.This photo showcases the challenges and unexpected moments that photographers encounter in the wild.Photographers can explore more details about the Wildlife Comedy Awards here.