2024’s Funniest Wildlife Photos Will Make You Scamper For More
Stuck squirrel (taken in Parco Podere Pantaleone in Italy) by Milko Marchetti, ​​Overall Winner and Mammal Category winner. Image courtesy of Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards and featured with permission
Mother Nature’s myriad comedians have struck again—among which is a red squirrel caught mid-air, legs akimbo as it leaps into its hide. The moment was captured by Milko Marchetti, whose whimsical picture, a mix of coincidence and charm, has come out tops at the 2024 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards.
“I have taken many, many photographs of squirrels… but this one struck me as really funny,” notes the Italian photographer. The moment was fleeting, but it left a lasting impression
For Marchetti, a lifelong passion for nature photography has been about more than just technical precision. “Nature offers much beauty and variety,” he shares, and photography presents a “superpower to freeze a moment and make it last forever.”
Mantis Flamenca (taken in Onda, Spain) by Jose Miguel Gallego Molina, Insect Category winner. Image courtesy of Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards and featured with permission
Highlights include Jose Miguel Gallego Molina’s Mantis Flamenca in the Insect Category, Eberhard Ehmke’s frog encased in a bubble in the Reptile Category, and Damyan Petkov’s tern crash-landing scene in the Bird Category. Przemyslaw Jakubczyk’s photo of a bald eagle pursued by a bream dominated the Fish and Aquatic Animals Category, while Tapani Linnanmäki’s Shake, Rattle, Ruffle and Roll—a white-tailed eagle in full display—won the People’s Choice Award. The Video Award went to Kevin Lohman for capturing a fox joyfully performing zoomies on a chilly morning.
Frog in a balloon (taken in Bergwinkel, Germany) by Eberhard Ehmke, Reptile Category winner. Image courtesy of Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards and featured with permission
Emerging talent was also celebrated. Kingston Tam from Australia took home the Nikon Young Photographer Award for his close-up of a grinning frog, while Sarthak Ranganadhan earned the Nikon Junior Category prize with his charming image of smooching owlets. Flynn Thaitanunde-Lobb, a 10-year-old from Southampton, became the youngest-ever winner with his Rock Star squirrel portfolio, clinching the Portfolio Category.
Marking its 10th anniversary, the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards drew a record-breaking 9,000 entries from photographers around the globe. From professionals to hobbyists, participants competed to capture the humor and unpredictability of the natural world. These snapshots don’t just bring smiles but also highlight the importance of protecting creatures out in the wild.
The competition was founded in 2015 by Paul Joynson-Hicks and Tom Sullam, both professional photographers and conservationists, with a mission to create a lighthearted yet impactful platform that showcases the earth’s incredible wildlife while promoting conservation.
Each funny frame reminds us of the beauty, joy, and fragility of the natural world—and why it’s worth protecting.
Whiskered Tern crash on landing (taken in Svishtov, Bulgaria) by Damyan Petkov, Bird Category winner. Image courtesy of Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards and featured with permission
Unexpected role swap (taken in Szczecin Lagoon, Poland) by Przemyslaw Jakubczyk, Fish & Other Aquatic Animals Category winner. Image courtesy of Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards and featured with permission
Smooching owlets (taken in Gurgaon, India) by Sarthak Ranganadhan, Nikon Junior Category (16 Years & Under) winner. Image courtesy of Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards and featured with permission
Awkward smiley frog (taken in Queensland, Australia) by Kingston Tam, Nikon Junior Category (25 Years & Under) winner. Image courtesy of Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards and featured with permission
Shake ruffle rattle and roll (taken in Kustavi, Finland) by Tapani Linnanmäki, People’s Choice Category winner. Image courtesy of Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards and featured with permission
Dancing To The Music, Rock guitar, Roly Poly, Weight Lifting (taken in Southampton, UK) by Flynn Thaitanunde-Lobb (aged 10), Portfolio Category winner. Image courtesy of Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards and featured with permission
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Fox with the zoomies! (taken in San Jose, California, USA) by Kevin Lohman, Video Category winner. Video featured with permission by Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards
Hide and seek by Leslie McLeod. Image courtesy of Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards and featured with permission
Alright mate, back off. This is my bird (taken in South Georgia) by Andy Rouse. Image courtesy of Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards and featured with permission
You’re not my mother (taken in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio, USA) by Randy Herman. Image courtesy of Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards and featured with permission
The Rock Star (taken in Maharashtra State, India) by Sanjay Patil. Image courtesy of Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards and featured with permission
Mafia Boss (taken in Hokkaido, Japan) by Takashi Kubo. Image courtesy of Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards and featured with permission
I’m too sexy for my love (taken in Mana Pools NP, Zimbabwe) by Artur Stankiewicz. Image courtesy of Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards and featured with permission
Gang of four (taken in Pebble Island, Falkland Islands) by Ralph Robinson. Image courtesy of Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards and featured with permission
The Contemplative Chimpanzee (taken in Uganda) by Arvind Mohandas. Image courtesy of Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards and featured with permission
Are you kidding (taken in Cape Cross Seal Reserve, Namibia) by Marti Phillips. Image courtesy of Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards and featured with permission
I’ll tell you a secret (taken in Germany) by Jan Piecha. Image courtesy of Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards and featured with permission
[via Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards, images courtesy and featured with permission]
