Dear Pandas, it’s that beautiful time of year again! The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards have selected their finalists for the current season! The photographs are incredible, and in my opinion, may be the greatest in the competition’s seven-year history. We hope they bring you as much joy as they did us.
The selection is incredible, and we encourage you to scroll down to see all of the competition’s greatest images. Which photos, dear Pandas, do you think deserve to win the most? Which ones brightened your day the most? Please let us know in the comments section.
Professional photographers Paul Joynson-Hicks and Tom Sullam launched the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards in 2015. They wanted to design a competition that emphasized the fun element of wildlife photography. Furthermore, they wanted to use humor to encourage wildlife protection. For example, this year they’re donating a tenth of their total net earnings to the ‘Save Wild Orangutans’ organization, which protects wild orangutans in and around Gunung Palung National Park in Borneo.
Michelle Wood, a member of the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards team, answered my questions about the competition, what we should all keep in mind if we want to join next year, and the charity they’re supporting this year.
“Despite the fact that COVID is in its second year, which means there has been less travel in general, we received over 7,000 entries this year, indicating that photographers are looking for additional possibilities for good wildlife photography, perhaps closer to home. This year, we received more bird entries than ever before, representing a diverse range of species. It just goes to show that wildlife can be found almost anywhere if you take the time to listen and look for it “Michelle emailed Bored Panda about it.
Psst, Pandas, once you’ve finished upvoting your favorite photographs, read Bored Panda’s prior posts on the competition’s previous finalists from 2020 and 2019.
More info: ComedyWildlifePhoto.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
#1
Time For School
“To bring its baby otter back to and fro for swimming lessons, a smooth-coated otter “bit” it.”
Chee Kee Teo / Comedy wildlife photoReport
“What sets Comedy Wildlife apart from other photography competitions is the comedic element, which can be a split-second decision to press the right button at the appropriate time,” she explained. “We would probably recommend taking your camera or camera phone with you anytime you go out and about, just in case that particular moment happens,” she advised, emphasizing the need of being prepared to catch some incredible moments.
“And you’ll need to be patient, a lot of patience. Wildlife photography necessitates a great deal of waiting, and comedy wildlife photography necessitates even more!! However, because the competition is free, it is always worthwhile to enter your photo or film. By participating in the competition, even if it’s only buying a print or a calendar, you’re directly supporting our conservation organization and bringing attention to our message, which is at the core of the Awards.”
#2
I Guess Summer’s Over
“I was photographing pigeons in flight when this leaf landed on one of the birds’ faces.”
John Speirs / Comedy wildlife photoReport
#3
Ninja Prairie Dog!
“When this Bald Eagle failed to catch this prairie dog, the prairie dog charged at the eagle, startling it long enough for it to flee to a neighboring burrow. A true David vs. Goliath battle!”
Arthur Trevino / Comedy wildlife photoReport
Michelle claims that the way the Awards choose which charity to support each year is influenced by a number of variables. “We consider a variety of aspects, such as long-term goals, sustainability, reach, location, and species. Save Wild Orangutans is a fantastic project spearheaded by the Gunung Palung program, which aims to help the local population live and work in peace with the orangutan population and habitat. This world belongs to all of us, and we must all work together to keep it safe. We will do everything we can to highlight this charity’s efforts through coverage of the competition because it resonates with our fundamental conservation mission.”
On the 22nd of October, the competition’s category and overall winners will be announced, and I’m excited to see who takes home the prize (and our hearts). Meanwhile, the finalists for the 2021 competition will be on display at Birmingham’s Photography Show. So, if any Pandas are in the UK and would like to hear Tom, the competition’s co-founder, speak about how it all began, pay them a visit.
#4
Did I Say You Could Take My Picture?
“For almost 15 minutes, I followed this Ruby-Crowned Kinglet as it hopped from one branch to the next in rapid succession. I believe it realized I was following it since it abruptly came to a halt and stared at me for almost 3 seconds!”
Patrick Dirlam / Comedy wildlife photoReport
#5
Peekaboo
“For a while, I was photographing a flock of goslings until one of them broke away from the rest. It lurked for a few seconds beneath the leg of a bench before sticking its head out to say hello.”
Charlie Page / Comedy wildlife photoReport
#6
Monday Morning Mood
“This snapshot was taken at the Rietvlei Nature Reserve in South Africa while photographing a group of Pied starlings perched in a tree. On most Monday mornings, it precisely describes my mood :)”
Andrew Mayes / Comedy wildlife photoReport
#7
Don’t Worry. Be Happy!
“
Early in the morning, a Dragonfly on a flower appears to be laughing as it glances into my camera. Corona made the years 2020/2021 extremely difficult for everyone. However, when I step outside and observe the beauty of our surroundings, my problems seem to diminish. So, even if I’m having a horrible day, this image makes me grin back.”
Axel Bocker / Comedy wildlife photoReport
#8
Quarantine Life
“Are you stuck inside with your family, itching to get out and see the world? Eastern raccoon kits are as well. Mother raccoon arrives just when you think there’s no more room in the tree hollow, demonstrating how small the place is. The babies climbed all over their mother and each other, attempting to stare at each other at the same moment. This photograph was taken in the Canadian province of Southwestern Ontario. I discovered a hotspot for raccoon families after researching a specific location with multiple tree hollows. Because raccoons wander from den to den, typically only staying for one night at a time, finding an area with a variety of possibilities is critical to identifying the animals. When I first saw this family, I worked quickly to level the camera with the hole to avoid an upward viewpoint. The baby raccoons were quite intrigued (and cooperative) when the camera and tripod were set up, pushing their heads out for a closer look!”
Kevin Biskaborn / Comedy wildlife photoReport
#9
Mr. Giggles
“The pup of a grey seal appears to be chuckling. I really liked the expression you captured. It appears to be human-like. I was lying immobile on a rocky beach for hours, quietly waiting for seal life to unfold around me. This seal pup came to the beach for a rest and ended up sleeping for hours on its selected rock before being forced to go further inland by the approaching tide. It would stretch and yawn now and then, and one of those yawns resulted in this smile, as if the seal was giggling.”
Martina Novotna / Comedy wildlife photoReport
On the competition’s website, members of the public can vote for their favorite images until October 10. A brand-new iPad will be given to one lucky voter!
“This year, narrowing down the list of images was more difficult than ever,” said Tom, one of the competition’s co-founders. “We couldn’t decide on a top 40 because there were so many amusing photographs that made us laugh—so we’re presenting the top 42 instead! It was wonderful to observe such a diverse range of species, from the really rare to the common pigeon.” The crew is excited to see what the public decides as their favorite, according to Tom.
#10
Draw Me Like One Of Your French Bears
“This juvenile Kodiak Brown Bear strolled down the riverbank and came to a halt directly across from me. She then proceeded to make herself a bear bed by clawing the sand back with her enormous claws. She laid down, flipped over on her back, and smiled at me once she got her bed exactly way she wanted it. And she didn’t seem to be able to quit smiling! She was, without a doubt, the most assertive bear I’d ever seen!”
Wenona Suydam / Comedy wildlife photoReport
#11
See Who Jumps High
Chu han lin / Comedy wildlife photoReport
#12
Majestic And Graceful Bald Eagle
“Bald Eagles will use the same nest for years, even decades, replenishing it with new material at the start and during the breeding season. They are usually quite good at snapping branches off trees while in flight. This particular Bald Eagle wasn’t in great shape, possibly due to exhaustion from working constantly all morning on a new nest. Yes, they do miss from time to time. Despite the fact that it appears to be painful, the eagle recovers with a few sweeping wing strokes and opts to rest for a while before making another timber run.”
David Eppley / Comedy wildlife photoReport
The photographer who captured the best overall image will get a one-week safari with Alex Walker’s Serian in Kenya’s Masai Mara, as well as a one-of-a-kind handmade trophy from the Art Garage in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The finalists will be judged by a panel of specialists, and the turnout is rather amazing! Wildlife photographers Daisy Gilardini, Tom Laman, and Will Burrand-Lucas, travel editor Neil Stevenson, TV presenter Kate Humble, actor and comedian Hugh Dennis, co-founder of The Born Free Foundation Will Travers OBE, Managing Director of Serif, developer of award sponsor Affinity Photo Ashley Hewson, ThinkTank’s Simon Pollock, image expert Celina Dunlop, and Amazing Internet’s Anita Sharma are among those on the panel.
#13
Operatic Warm UPS
“The kangaroo looked like he was singing ‘the hills are alive, with the sound of music’ in the field.”
Lea Scaddan / Comedy wildlife photoReport
#14
Dancing Away To Glory
“A young langur sways its body to give an impression that its dancing.”
Sarosh Lodhi / Comedy wildlife photoReport
#15
Before And After Coffee
“The reaction of a baby Great Horned Owl after waking up before and after a cup of coffee is similar to that of a human. I was keeping a close eye on the two adorable owlets in the nest, hoping they would wake up and move. It took a long time because both babies were exhausted and nuzzled each other while sleeping with their mouths open. This is what I observed when one finally started to stir. It’s far too precious, half-opening both eyes, then opening one and then both, as if shocked.”
Nat Tan / Comedy wildlife photoReport
#16
Attitude!!
“Males of these lizard species prefer higher elevations to monitor and advertise their territory. During a very hot summer, I caught this particular male roosting on the twing of a bush.”
Aditya Kshirsagar / Comedy wildlife photoReport
#17
Ouch!
“A golden silk monkey in Yunnan, China – this is actually a display of aggression, although the monkey appears to be in a painful position!”
Ken Jensen / Comedy wildlife photoReport
#18
We’re Too Sexy For This Beach
“I was resting on the beach at Volunteer Point in East Falkland, waiting for a Gentoo Penguin to jump out of the water and land on the beach during a period of good weather. A trio emerged from the water and walked directly towards me, much to my joy. I had a lot of fun capturing this scene because it appears to represent some of these people’s snarky personalities.”
Joshua Galicki / Comedy wildlife photoReport
#19
The Butt Dunk / The Face Plant / The Shake Off / The Final Scratch
“On a scorching afternoon on the beaches of Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe, an elephant enjoys a mud bath against the dead trees.”
Vicki Jauron / Comedy wildlife photoReport
#20
How Do You Get That Damn Window Open?
“This raccoon spends his time attempting to get access to dwellings, possibly to steal food.”
Nicolas de VAULX / Comedy wildlife photoReport
#21
Smoked Deer For Dinner
“For many years, I’ve been watching the family of a tigress named Paaro in India’s Jim Corbett National Park. This is her daughter, who has been able to scrape her face with a log by standing on her hind limbs. However, she looks to be carrying the log on her shoulders.”
Siddhant Agrawal / Comedy wildlife photoReport
#22
Laughing Snake
“Vine snakes can be found in abundance in India’s western ghats. They display hostility by extending their mouth wide open when confronted. There’s nothing to fear about this lovely harmless Vine snake. I was overjoyed to find it and smiled, and it appeared that he returned my smile.”
Aditya Kshirsagar / Comedy wildlife photoReport
#23
Let’s Dance
“After successfully navigating a raging torrent (little stream! ), two Kamchatka bear cubs line up for a joyous play battle.”
Andy Parkinson / Comedy wildlife photoReport
#24
The Green Stylist
Gurumoorthy K / Comedy wildlife photoReport
#25
Foot Jam
“Near my house, there is a large pine tree with a tiny to medium sized hole in it, which has been home to a young racoon for the past year. The little racoon looks to have outgrown its modest home this year, as it barely fits!”
Brook Burling / Comedy wildlife photoReport
#26
Directing Penguin
“Two Gentoo penguins having a discussion after coming out of the surf”
Carol Taylor / Comedy wildlife photoReport
#27
Flautist
“I spent my days in my customary “gopher spot,” and these amusing little creatures haven’t betrayed their true character yet.”
Roland Kranitz / Comedy wildlife photoReport
#28
Are You Talking To Me? / Big Smile / Fluff / Lol
“I spent two years visiting two herds of wild horses while attempting to take proper shots with flash. They didn’t try to eat my flashes or rush over the stands every now and again, instead posing for me.”
Edwin Smiths / Comedy wildlife photoReport
#29
Monkey Riding A Giraffe
“During a game drive, we came across a group of monkeys squabbling and bouncing up and down from a bare branch. It was a lot of fun to watch. After some while, I noticed a giraffe approaching from the right. One of the monkeys was on his post to ride the giraffe by the time the giraffe passed the branch :-)”
Dirk-Jan Steehouwer / Comedy wildlife photoReport
#30
Treehugger
“It’s possible that this Proboscis monkey is simply rubbing its nose on the rough bark, or that it’s kissing it. Monkeys rely heavily on trees for survival. Who are we to pass judgment?”
Jakub Hodan / Comedy wildlife photoReport
#31
Shhhh! I’m So Hungover It Hurts
“The young burrowing owls are a lot of fun to watch. This burrowing owl drew my attention since he appeared to be suffering from a hangover.”
Anita Ross / Comedy wildlife photoReport
#32
Leaning Post
“A young cub tries to use his patient mother as a leaning post, oblivious to the birds in the treetops”
Andy Parkinson / Comedy wildlife photoReport
#33
The Photo-Bombing Wave
“In the cold seas of the Arctic, a mother polar bear and her pups frolicked. They continued to submerge themselves in the water until they emerged in this funny position. Mom and one of the cubs share a sentimental moment, while the other photobombs the scene with a wave to the bystanders. Or, at the very least, it appeared to be a wave…..”
Cheryl Strahl / Comedy wildlife photoReport
#34
Yes, I Did It
“A frog climbed a bloom off a plant, and when he reached the top, he laughed with delight.”
Dikky Oesin / Comedy wildlife photoReport
#35
Peek-A-Boo
“For a while, I was photographing a flock of goslings until one of them broke away from the rest. It lurked for a few seconds beneath the leg of a bench before sticking its head out to say hello.”
Pal Marchhart / Comedy wildlife photoReport
#36
Cotton Eyed Joe
“Have you ever witnessed a grizzly bear square dance? All you’ll need is a jug, a few spoons, and a banjo. Every time, he succeeds.”
Rick Elieson / Comedy wildlife photoReport
#37
Sweet Lips Are For Kissing!
“This photograph was taken in the Dutch Caribbean island of Curaao. Box fishes are notoriously tough to photograph since they don’t mind a diver getting close, but if you show attention, they always turn their backs and not their faces to you. That’s why I tried to swim 0.5m above the fish while remaining completely uninterested in him. At the same moment, I was holding my camera below my chest, pointing to the bottom. When the time was right, I just turned the camera 90 degrees to the front and shot, hoping to get the fish in focus. Never expected its lovely lips to be so close!”
Philipp Stahr / Comedy wildlife photoReport
#38
Welcome To Nature!
“A crimson damselfly greets us as we enter the macro world. It was incredible to see it climb up the bales and stop at the crosswalk to say hello! :)”
Mattias Hammar / Comedy wildlife photoReport
#39
Just Checking
“In South Luangwa National Park, a male Vervet Monkey was lingering around a bridge over the Luangwa River, looking for some action (handouts from visitors).”
Larry Petterborg / Comedy wildlife photoReport
#40
Missed
“A struggle broke out between two Western Grey Kangaroos, and one of them missed kicking him in the stomach.”
