Wildlife Comedy Photos of the Year Promise Uncontrollable Laughter

The annual Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards showcase amusing wildlife photography that promises uncontrollable laughter. Each year, photographers from around the world submit their entries, capturing candid moments in the animal kingdom that evoke joy and humor.

Highlights from the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards

Here are some notable finalists from this year’s competition that captured the essence of wildlife comedy:

• I Just Can’t Wait to Be King

  Photographer Bret Saalwaechter captured a pride of lions in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. The photo depicts a group of hungry cubs playfully chasing their mother for milk while she attempts to escape their antics. This light-hearted moment in the wild highlights the struggles of motherhood amidst the dry season.

• Which Direction Is My Nest?

  Alison Tuck photographed a gannet at Bempton Cliffs in the U.K., hilariously covered in grass. The moment perfectly illustrates the challenges faced by this seabird as it tries to regain its sense of direction with a clump of grass obstructing its view.

• The Shoulders of Giants

  Andrew Mortimer captured a lighthearted moment among frogs near Leonora, Western Australia. One frog is seen perched on the back of another, providing a humorous glimpse into their struggle to see over a PVC bore casing.

• Smile, You’re Being Photographed

  Valtteri Mulkahainen photographed a brown bear cub in Suomussalmi, Finland. The young bear’s unexpected grin offers a playful contrast to the typical portrayal of bears, showcasing a moment of joyful interaction between wildlife and humans.

• Headlock

  In Norway, Warren Price photographed two bridled guillemots displaying surprising behavior. One bird appears to have caught another in a literal headlock, a quirky moment reflecting the territorial nature of these seabirds.

• High Five

  Mark Meth-Cohn captured an energetic male gorilla in Rwanda’s Virunga Mountains, showcasing its playful spirit with a high kick. The vibrant moment stands out as part of a larger family group’s antics in the forest.

• Flamingone

  Photographer Miles Astray presents an optical illusion with a flamingo at a Caribbean beach. The bird’s head is tucked beneath its body, creating the appearance of a missing head—an amusing trick of nature that left viewers in awe.

• Fonzies Advertising

  On Nosy Komba island in Madagascar, Liliana Luca encountered a crowned sifaka. The lemur’s comical gesture of licking its finger sparked a delightful connection to snack commercials, highlighting its playful persona in a quiet moment.

The various entries in the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards not only entertain, but also showcase the brilliance of wildlife photography. Each moment captured invites the viewer to appreciate the lighter side of nature.