Culture

Bears, birds and kangaroos: Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards


The finalists in this year’s Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards have been announced. Here is a selection of those that were whittled down from thousands of entries submitted from professional and amateur photographers from around the world, along with comment from the photographers. The winners will be announced on 23 November.

Jason Moore, taken in Perth, Australia

Image source, Jason Moore/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

“I was driving past a mob of western grey kangaroos feeding in an open field that was filled with attractive yellow flowers.

“I had my camera with me, so I stopped to grab a few photos. I suddenly noticed this individual adopt a humorous pose – to me it looks like he’s practising strumming on his air guitar.”

Tzahi Finkelstein, taken in Jezreel Valley, Israel

Image source, T Finkelstein/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

“The swamp turtle is surprised, and smiles at the dragonfly resting on its nose.”

Allen Holmes, taken at RSPB Minsmere, UK

Image source, Allen Holmes/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

“I had visited Suffolk for a few days to try and track down a few target species, but decided on a detour to the RSPB’s Minsmere reserve.

“It was a hot day and I was cooling off in one of the bird hides.

“When I noticed this Egyptian goose flying to this small island, I immediately focused on the avocet, knowing that it was going to charge in and see off the goose.”

Paul Goldstein, taken in Masai Mara, Kenya

Image source, Paul Goldstein/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

“I know it isn’t a bird, and technically it does not have the faculty of flight, but you cannot fault this leopard’s effort to get airborne. Actually she was being bothered by three young cheetahs and in a particularly poor temper as the pose indicates.”

Brigitte Alcalay Marcon, taken at the Kruger National Park, South Africa

Image source, Brigitte Alcalay Marcon/Comedy Wildlife Awards

“This young chacma baboon is sitting on its mother’s back playing the fool.”

Adrian Slazok, taken on the east coast of England

Image source, Adrian Slazok/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

“In late autumn, seals leave the North Sea to give birth to their young.”

Christian Hargasser, taken in Masai Mara, Kenya

Image source, Christian Hargasser/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards

“This photo was taken in the evening in low light in the Masai Mara.”

Thomas Vijayan, taken at the Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska, USA

Image source, Thomas Vijayan/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

“At Katmai National Park grizzly bears are in abundance and hence it is a photographer’s paradise. However, the challenge here is clicking a unique frame.”

Delphine Casimir, taken in Bali

Image source, Delphine Casimir/Comedy Wildlife Photography Award

This picture was taken in the monkey forest in Ubud, Bali. This is a crazy place where monkeys are king.”

Jacek Stankiewicz, taken in the Bialowieza Forest, Poland

Image source, Jacek Stankiewi/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

“I caught this scene while watching birds in the Bialowieza Forest. A young greenfinch was still fed by parents, however, from time to time the birds looked like they were having an argument.”

Lara Mathews, taken in Melbourne, Australia

Image source, Lara Mathews/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

“Taken at Westerfolds Park, a beautiful and surprisingly wild pocket of land in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, famous for its kangaroo population. The mob was enjoying some morning sunshine when this joey decided to get silly and try his hand at boxing.”

Jacques Poulard, taken in Spitsbergen, Norway

Image source, Jacques Poulard/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

“This picture was taken in Spitsbergen during a very cold winter. The white grouse is coming towards me and looks like a snowball with eyes.”

John Blumenkamp, taken in Grand Teton National Park, USA

Image source, John Blumenkamp/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

“This great grey owl spent most of the afternoon posing majestically and looking, well, wise. But for a moment or two after doing some elegant stretching, he/she would slump and give a look of ‘is Monday over yet?’.”

Khurram Khan, taken on Barter Island, Alaska, USA

Image source, Khurram Khan/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

“This polar bear cub found this wood pretty amusing and was playing with it when it suddenly stopped and stood up, using it almost like a performer does at times.”

Zoe Ashdown, taken in Yorkshire, UK

Image source, Zoe Ashdown/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

“At RSPB Bempton Cliffs, each year between March and October, about half a million seabirds use the chalk cliffs towering above the North Sea to nest and raise a family.

“Gannets mate for life and they return to the same nest year after year to raise their young.

“Lying safely at the top of the cliff face, I was able to observe the affection shown between the gannets each time one returned to the nest. They have a greeting ritual, they rub beaks and entwine their necks; it’s how they strengthen their bond. But it’s also a brilliant opportunity to catch them in various poses.

“I didn’t realise I’d taken this image until I got home, but as soon as I saw it I laughed out loud. They look like proud parents, posing with their baby – definitely one for the family album.”

All photographs courtesy ofComedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023.



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