The natural world, often a brutal arena of survival, also offers moments of unexpected humor. The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards has just unveiled its 2024 winners and highly commended images, showcasing the lighter side of animal life. From inquisitive mantises to clumsy squirrels, these photographs capture amusing and relatable moments from across the globe.
This year’s competition saw nearly 9,000 entries from almost 100 countries. The grand prize winner is Milko Marchetti’s perfectly timed photo of a red squirrel seemingly stuck in a tree. This collection includes both winners and highly commended entries, offering a diverse range of comical wildlife encounters. If some images seem familiar, you may have seen them in our previous coverage of the finalists. However, this announcement reveals the final winners and provides another opportunity to appreciate these delightful snapshots.
Category Winners and Other Highlights
Several category winners deserve special mention. Despite being an amphibian, a bubble-encased frog won the “Reptile” category, a quirky detail highlighted by the organizers themselves. A dramatic shot of a fish appearing to chase an eagle claimed the “Fish and Other Aquatic Species” award. A tern in a rather awkward predicament took the top spot in the “Bird” category. Further accolades include a charmingly derpy frog (Young Photographer Award), a parliament of owls (Junior Photographer Award), and a captivating mantis (Insect Award). Each photograph, whether a winner or highly commended, possesses its own unique charm.
A Legacy of Laughter
The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards, established in 2015, continues its tradition of celebrating the humorous side of nature. Previous grand prize winners include a lion’s unfortunate collision with a tree (2022) and a monkey’s uncomfortable landing on a branch (2021). The competition consistently highlights the diversity and amusement found in the animal kingdom.
See the Photos for Yourself
An exhibition showcasing the 44 finalists will be held at the Gallery@Oxo Tower Wharf in London from December 11th to 15th, 2024. For those inspired to capture their own comedic wildlife encounters, entries for the next competition open in March 2025.
Celebrating Nature’s Humor
These photographs remind us that even in the face of survival challenges, there’s always room for laughter. The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards offers a refreshing perspective on the natural world, highlighting the beauty and absurdity of animal life. We encourage you to explore the full collection and discover your own favorite moments of animal antics.
