Hilarious first entries to the 2021 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards
“ROFL” by Giovanni Querzani (Italy). Young lion (Serengeti National Park, Tanzania).
“A young lion in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, apparently laughing at my photography skills.”
The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards are back to show the lighter side of the animal kingdom. This annual competition, now in its seventh year, is once again looking for the funniest animal images of 2021. While entries are being accepted until June 30, organizers have released some of the images from this year who have already tickled their funny bones.
The best entrees include a young lion who seems to roll on the ground laughing, a daring prairie dog who has spooked a bald eagle, and a cranky starling whose facial expression is in total mood. Amateur and professional photographers around the world have already submitted thousands of entries and if this overview is any indication, the competition is stiff.
“We hope people get a preview of these latest images and share them with any friends or family they think might have the winning photo,” said Tom Sullam, co-founder of the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards. “Last year our winning photo of a cranky-looking turtle swearing in front of the camera took the world by storm. People love to see these beautiful creatures in these silly situations – it reminds us that we are not too different.
The competition is free and photographers can submit up to 10 photographs in six different categories including land, air, portfolio, underwater and video. Young photographers are also welcome in a special category for those under 16.
What’s at stake? Prizes include a unique safari in Kenya’s Maasai Mara, an Affinity Photo subscription, a ThinkTank camera bag and, of course, the prestigious title of 2021 Comedy Wildlife Photographer of the Year. As always, the awards also have a conservation component. This year, the competition is supporting Save Wild Orangutans by donating 10% of its total net income to the charity. The initiative protects wild orangutans in and around Gunung Palung National Park, Borneo.
The 2021 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards are heating up. Take a look at some early entries.
“Bald Eagle Gets a Surprise” by Arthur Trevino (USA). Bald eagle and prairie dog (hygiene, CO)
“When this bald eagle failed his attempt to catch this prairie dog, the prairie dog jumped towards the eagle and surprised it long enough to escape into a nearby burrow. A true story of David versus Goliath! “
“Lack!” by Lea Scaddan (Australia). Western Gray Kangaroo (Perth, Australia).
“Two western gray kangaroos were fighting and one almost kicked him in the stomach.)
“Quarantine Life” by Kevin Biskaborn (Canada). Raccoon (southwestern Ontario, Canada).
“Secluded inside with your family keen to get out and explore the world? These eastern raccoon kits are too. Just when you think there is no more room in the hollow of the tree, the mother raccoon appears and shows how compact the space is. Babies were climbing all over their mothers and each other, struggling to peek at exactly the same time. This photo was taken in southwestern Ontario, Canada. After exploring a particular area with many tree relics, I identified it as a hotspot for raccoon families. Since raccoons move from den to den, often not spending more than one night at a time in a particular den, locating an area with many options is essential for locating animals. . I ran into this family and immediately worked on leveling the camera with the hole to avoid an upward angle. When the camera and tripod were ready, the baby raccoons were extremely curious (and cooperative), sticking their heads out for a closer look!
“Monday Morning Mood” by Andrew Mayes (South Africa). Pied Starling (Rietvlei Nature Reserve, South Africa)
“I took this photo while photographing a group of magpie starlings perched in a tree in Rietvlei Nature Reserve in South Africa. That perfectly sums up my mood almost every Monday morning.
Photographers have until June 30 to submit their entries for this year’s competition.
“Soft lips are made for kissing” by Philipp Stahr (Germany). Boxfish (Curaçao, Dutch Caribbean).
“This photo was taken in Curaçao, in the Dutch Caribbean. Usually boxfish are difficult to photograph because they don’t have a problem with an approaching diver, but if you show interest, they always turn their backs and not their faces to you. That’s why I tried to swim 0.5m above the fish and showed no interest in it. At the same time, I had my camera not in front of me, but below on my chest pointing down. When the right time was right, I turned the camera 90 degrees forward and just pointed and pulled, hoping to get the fish in focus. I never expected to have her beautiful lips so close!
“Cranky hippo” by Rohin Bakshi (India). Hippo (Vwaza Game Reserve, Malawi).
“The baby hippo wanted his mother’s attention, but it looks like he didn’t have it.
“Happy” by Tom Svensson (Sweden). Penguin (Falklands).
“These penguins were riding the waves to land and looked so happy every time.”
“Houston – we have a problem!” by Txema Garcia Laseca (Palma, Spain). Amazon Kingfisher (Pantanal, Brazil).
“This fish is amazed when it has been trapped for a fishing bird.”
“Yoga Bittern” by KT Wong (Singapore). Yellow Bittern (Satay By The Bay, Singapore).
“A Yellow Bittern was trying very hard to get into a comfortable hunting position. I got this photo when it was between two lotus flower stalks.
“Yeah, it’s Friday!” by Lucy Beveridge (Spain). Springbok (Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa).
“A young springbok, all ears and slender legs, caught in the air speaking as the sun began to rise over Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. There isn’t a lot of information on why the Springbok pronk is pronked, but some theories suggest it’s a way of showing form and strength to ward off predators and attract mates. It has also been said that this delicate and largely unrecognized little antelope is also pronounced in excitement, jumping for joy!
