The funniest animal photos of 2024: The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards releases list of competition finalists

I first learned about the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards back in 2022 and I was thrilled to see the photos that had earned the distinction of being the funniest animal photos of the year. The photos were spectacular, showing wildlife like you’ve never seen before. Not just up close and personal but truly funny.

The annual competition is back and the finalists for the 2024 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards have been released. The talented photographers who have been shortlisted capture animals in unique and hilarious moments, made all the funnier by their body language and facial expressions.

The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards were started in 2015 with deep meaning and intention behind them. Founder Paul Joynson-Hicks found a way to use humor to amplify messages surrounding wildlife conservation and sustainability. He says, “a funny animal photo is incredibly effective because there are no barriers to understanding, or taboos that must be negotiated. It taps into the impulse for anthropomorphism (big word!) which is well-documented as one of the most powerful triggers for human empathy. To really understand animals and the issues that affect them, you need to empathise with them as fellow inhabitants of the same planet.” Read more about Joynson-Hicks and his mission here.

I’ve had the great privilege of traveling extensively around the world and my husband, who I’ve been to 70+ countries with, and I have had some incredible animal encounters. Below is one of my favorite, funny animal photos I’ve captured, when a Swiss miss tried to steal a kiss from my husband:

But the photos below are far (far!) better and funnier. And so, without further ado, keep scrolling for the finalists for the 2024 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards. The Overall Winner, Category and Highly Commended Winners will be announced on Tuesday, December 10th at an Awards Night in London.

Photographer:  © Alex Pansier, Netherlands, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: Hello World!
Description: This image shows the happy life of a Red Ant, looking down to us. The photo was taken in a dark forest nearby in The Netherlands last autumn. I like the tones of this autumn leaf. So warm. It was hard to take this image because of the fast moving ant, but with a little help of a flashlight I was able to freeze the motion.
Animal: Red Ant
Location of shot: The Netherlands, Maashorst

Photographer:  © Alexander Fine, United States, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: Holding on for a ride
Description: After a nap, the mother brown bear wanted to go for a walk, but the cubs wanted a ride
Animal: Brown Bear
Location of shot: Lake Clark National Park

Photographer:  © Alexander Fine, United States, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: Peek-a-boo
Description: Blenni fish peaking out from a hole in the coral
Animal: Blenni fish
Location of shot: Raja Ampat

Photographer:  © Andrea Rosado, United States, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: In love
Description: After the meeting.. comes love!! This is everyone’s daily life
Animal: Bear
Location of shot: Sitka – Alaska

Photographer:  © Andy Rouse, United Kingdom, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: Alright mate back off – this is my bird!
Description: This image was taken in South Georgia, it really does show a male king penguin trying to make a move on a female who has already paired up with her male. The body position and wing posture make the message clear – “back off!” *** This image was highly commended in the 2006 BBC Wildlife photographer of the Year.
Animal: King Penguin
Location of shot: South Georgia

Photographer:  © Andy Rouse, United Kingdom, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: England Cricket’s latest secret weapon!
Description: I took this photo of a dancing sifaka in Madagascar; as it ran towards us, it created all sorts of funny shapes. But this one was the best, it looks to me like it is practising its bowling action ready for an England call-up!
Animal: Verreaux Sifaka
Location of shot: Madagascar

Photographer:  © Artur Stankiewicz, Poland, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: I’m too sexy for my love
Description: One of the ‘lazy’ mornings we have decided to stop by the pool with hippos while in Mana Pools NP. My idea was to try and catch fighting hippos, yet, they all were quite peaceful. I have positioned on the bank, safely from the potential charge and waited. Some of them raised their heads in curiosity or when proximity to the other individuals was too close. Then I got this idea to catch the portrait with water plants decorating the head, It looked like the guy just got our of the hairdresser with a big smile on his face :)
Animal: Hippopotamus
Location of shot: Mana Pools NP, Zimbabwe

Photographer:  © Arvind Mohandas, Germany, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: The Contemplative Chimpanzee
Description: Shot in the jungles of Uganda, following a group of around 50 chimpanzees. This one was obviously comtemplating an important issue, on a day of realization and reaffirmation of how close chimpanzees are to humans!
Animal: Chimpanzee
Location of shot: Uganda

Photographer:  © Charles Janson, United States, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: Otter Guru
Description: In a kayak with my camera balanced precariously on the gunnel, I stayed very still while floating by this resting Sea Otter. It stayed relaxed (you can tell because it is still floating on its back) and kept on grooming its fur. With its peaceful face and upturned paws, it reminded me of a Guru meditating.
Animal: Sea Otter
Location of shot: Elkhorn Slough, California

Photographer:  © Christine Haines, United States, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: Saying My Prayers
Description: I visited Lake Clark National Park to photograph bears. While there, I had an opportunity to travel to Duck Island where I saw an otter floating next to the boat. Otters hold their food with their paws making it appear like they are praying.
Animal: Sea Otter
Location of shot: Duck Island, Alaska

Photographer:  © Christopher Arnold, Germany, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: Schon wieder Montag?
Description: Direkt aus dem Kanu heraus habe ich dieses Nutria fotografiert. Dieses war gerade mit der Körperpflege beschäftigt.
Animal: Nutria
Location of shot: Deutschland

Photographer:  © Corentin Revel, France, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: Cold shower
Description: This doe had got up on her hind legs to grab some leaves from the tree to eat, but when she got back up on all fours, she suddenly let go of the branch and took a cold shower on the head.
Animal: Hinds and stags
Location of shot: Pyrénées-Orientales (France)

Photographer:  © Damyan Petkov, Bulgaria, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: Whiskered tern crash on landing
Description: Whiskered tern head hit the rock when try to land
Animal: Whiskered tern
Location of shot: Svishtov, Bulgaria

Photographer:  © Eberhard Ehmke, Germany, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: Frog in in a baloon
Description: During a photo shoot at the pond I discovered this frog with its head in a bubble. This resembles a tree bell.
Animal: Frog
Location of shot: Bergwinkel, Germany

Photographer:  © Fred Amico, United States, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: The Pavarotti of owls
Description: This area has always been a nesting place for burrowing owls, so I visit frequently. When I saw this image on the computer it just looked like this little owl was singing his heart out.
Animal: Burrowing Owl
Location of shot: In a field near the airport

Photographer:  © Gabriel Rojo, Argentina, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: Smiling Elephant Seal
Description: These multi-ton giants fight to keep their harem of females. In the instant of the photo, the animal seems to be smiling… but the reality of the situation is that its expression of astonishment and smile is at the moment of fleeing quickly, because the dominant male was on his way to a bloody fight. It is better to preserve physical integrity… I better go…
Animal: Southern Elephant Seal
Location of shot: Peninsula Valdes, Chubut Province, Argentina

Photographer:  © Inés Godínez, Spain, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: I am COMING!
Description: Razorbill attempting a very wobbly landing!
Animal: Razorbill
Location of shot: Saltee islands

Photographer:  © Ingo Hamann, Germany, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: Laughing out loud
Description: This newborn seal seems to be laughing at a good joke.
Animal: Seal
Location of shot: Helgoland, Germany

Photographer:  © Jan Piecha, Germany, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: I’ll tell you a secret
Description: A tiny raccoon is telling a secret to its mum while whispering in her ear.
Animal: Raccoon
Location of shot: Germany

Photographer:  © Jörn Cl, Germany, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: Where do you think you are going???
Description: This picture was taken in 2015 during my first visit to the Farne Islands (UK). The islands were full of puffins, kittywakes, shags, guillemots and razorbills, and I never before and since then have taken so many photos in such a short time. I think I really “saw” this image only later that day when I checked my haul.
Animal: Puffin
Location of shot: Farne Islands, Inner Farne, UK

Photographer:  © Jose Miguel Gallego Molina, Spain, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: Mantis flamenca
Description: De vuelta de mi paseo fotográfico en un pantano cerca de mi localidad (Pantano el Sitjar), frené mi coche de repente en la carretera al ver que alguien me ordenaba parar. Aquí fue cuando vi por primera vez a mi amiga la Mantis flamenca. Os podréis imaginar la cara del resto de coches que pasaban, al ver un coche con los intermitentes y la puerta abierta, parado en el arcen y un loco tumbado en el suelo con la camara en la mano.
Animal: Mediterranean mantis
Location of shot: Onda, Castellón

Photographer:  © Kath Aggiss, United Kingdom, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: Song of the Zeisel
Description: Ground Squirrel (local name Zeisel) calling to family that he’s found food.
Animal: European Ground Squirrel (Zeisel)
Location of shot: Vienna, Austria.

Photographer:  © Kingston Tam, Australia, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: Awkward smiley frog
Description: I asked this frog to smile for the camera but it seemed a little shy.
Animal: Cyclorana novaehollandiae
Location of shot: Queensland, Australia

Photographer:  © Leslie McLeod, Canada, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: Hide and Seek
Description: We were on safari in Kenya and happened upon this beautiful female who was looking for a mate. A group of topi were also keeping a pretty close eye her as she left messages for a potential partner on various trees. This shot makes me think that the cheetah is just about to shout out, “ready or not, here I come!”
Animal: Cheetah
Location of shot: Mara North Conservancy

Photographer:  © Mark Meth-Cohn, United Kingdom, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: The Speed Skater
Description: Stellers Sea Eagle in the drifting sea ice off Rausu, Hokkaido, Japan
Animal: Stellers Sea Eagle
Location of shot: Rausu, Hokkaido, Japan

Photographer:  © Marti Phillips, United States, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: Are You Kidding?
Description: Two Cape Fur seals
Animal: Cape Fur Seal
Location of shot: Cape Cross Seal Reserve, Namibia

Photographer:  © Michela Bordoli, Switzerland, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: Gecko fashion model
Description: As we walked on the sands of the Namib Desert, a gecko suddenly appeared, emerging out of nowhere with a smile on its face. It positioned itself perfectly, posing for a portrait worthy of a National Geography cover. It seemed to say: “Take my picture, I’m ready for my cover!”
Animal: Namib sand gecko
Location of shot: Sandwich harbour, Namibia

Photographer:  © Milko Marchetti, Italy, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: Squirrel…Blocked
Description: When the squirrel entered, he removed his feet from the trunk for a moment, and for that moment it seemed as if he was blocked at the entrance to the burial.
Animal: Squirrel
Location of shot: Italy, Parco Podere Pantaleone Italy

Photographer:  © Philippe Ricordel, France, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: Hajime!
Description: Hajime! This is the term used by the referee in Judo to invite opponents to start fighting. Here, the standing bear seems to be saying this to the other two, adopting the gesture that referees use when they say this word.
Animal: Polar bears
Location of shot: Arctic Wildlife Refuge (Alaska – USA)

Photographer:  © Przemyslaw Jakubczyk, Poland, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: unexpected role swap
Description: Every annoyed and overtired fish needs to de-stress by hunting for a bald eagle
Animal: Bald eagle and bream
Location of shot: Szczecin Lagoon, Poland

Photographer:  © Ralph Robinson, United States, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: Gang of Four
Description: On the penguin highway, these rockhoppers are moving into town, and this town ain’t big enough for all of them! I set up my camera a good distance from this ridge, where rockhopper penguins were returning from feeding in the southern Atlantic ocean in the Falkland Islands. The long lens pulled them into the frame without disturbing their return to nests on the hill. I love photographing penguins after they’ve been in the water as they are cleaner! These birds look like they are ready to kick some penguin ass!
Animal: Southern rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome)
Location of shot: Pebble Island, Falkland Islands

Photographer:  © Randy Herman, United States, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: You’re not my mother!
Description: This female Red-bellied Woodpecker had been investigating this Screech Owl nest for a couple of days; perhaps it was her nest last year? This little owlet was definitely startled, and didn’t seem to know what to make of this intruder. The woodpecker moved on, and the owlet fledged with its two siblings about an hour later.
Animal: Screech owlet and female Red-bellied Woodpecker
Location of shot: Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio, USA

Photographer:  © Sanjay Patil, India, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: The Rock Star
Description: Fan-throated lizards are found only in the Indian subcontinent, where they have evolved under the influence of changing climates. These lizards are colorful and belong to the category of reptiles. Female Lizards do not display fan as they do not have. Male lizards inflates its attractive neck pouch to attract the female in hot summer season. Here is the female lizard standing upright to escape the summer heat.
Animal: Fan Throated Lizard, Female
Location of shot: Maharashtra State, India

Photographer:  © Sarosh Lodhi, India, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: Wait! Which Zebra is in front!!!
Description: An image that causes optical illusion making it difficult for the viewer to tell which zebra is in front. Shot in Kenya, I stayed focused on these two as they started coming towards each other. I was expecting them to interact, nozzle or maybe fight, but they coincidentally got aligned in a way to cause this beautiful optical illusion.
Animal: Zebra
Location of shot: Masai Mara, Kenya

Photographer:  © Sarthak Ranganadhan, India, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: Smooching owlets
Description: Our parents always find a way to embarrass us, I guess that’s also true in the case of spotted owlets. It was truly a funny sight to see two owlets trying to get some privacy as their little offspring stood next to them with a grin shut eyes.
Animal: Spotted Owlets
Location of shot: Gurgaon, India

Photographer:  © Scott Frier, United States, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: Nagging is a Universal Concept
Description: I liked this image as It reminds me of the old TV commercial for Maxell audio cassette tapes called: “Blown Away Guy”. On safari in Serengeti National Park in Tanzania we hung around a Kopji of rocks because there were lion cubs being nursed when this action happened. I was just lucky enough to catch it. I have this image printed and hung on a wall of my home, everybody who sees it laughs at it. One of those people mentioned that I should entered it in this contest so here it is.
Animal: Lion & lioness
Location of shot: Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Photographer:  © Takashi Kubo, Japan, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: Mafia Boss
Description: It looked like he was sucking a cigar, and he looked like a mafia boss.
Animal: Flying squirrel
Location of shot: Hokkaido, Japan

Photographer:  © Tapani Linnanmäki, Finland, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: Shake, ruffle, rattle and roll!
Description: In the picture, a white-tailed eagle is ruffling its feathers. The picture was taken with the Nikon Z9’s autocapture feature. The camera is placed on top of the sea ice on top of a bag of nuts at the level of the ice. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw this picture. There were more than ten funny poses and expressions in the photo series.
Animal: White-tailed eagle
Location of shot: Kustavi Finland

Photographer:  © Wim Bellemans, Belgium, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: Parrotfish loves to be washed
Description: I saw this parrotfish with 2 other fishes cleaning him. The smile on his face shows that he really loves it. Picture shot while diving in Dahab, Egypt on 18/2/24.
Animal: Parrotfish
Location of shot: Dahab, Egypt

Photographer:  © Zikri Teo, Australia, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Title: Time to cool off
Description: An Adelie penguin stands over its chick as it lays flat on the rock to cool off. Due to their high level of insulation, penguin chicks can sometimes overheat and lay on the rocks with their feet out to lower their body temperature. Shingle Cove, South Orkney Islands. Nikon D500 Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 + 1.7x teleconverter 1/1000sec, f/11, 120mm, ISO 400 Topaz Sharpen AI
Animal: Adelie Penguin
Location of shot: Shingle Cove, South Orkney Islands

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