Finalists Revealed For The 2024 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards have once again captured the charm and quirky side of the animal kingdom, with this year's shortlist featuring some truly hilarious moments. From a cheetah cleverly hiding behind a tree to a fish chasing an eagle across the sky, the finalists bring together humor and the beauty of nature in a unique way for this year's competition.

With nearly 9,000 entries from 98 countries, the awards continue to highlight the wonders of wildlife while promoting the important message of conservation. And now, the public has the chance to get involved by voting in the People’s Choice Award, where one lucky voter could win a whopping £500.

The Overall Winner, Category and Highly Commended Winners will be announced on Tuesday 10th December at an Awards Night in London, which will be followed by a glorious exhibition for one week (and one week only) from 10 - 16th of December showcasing all the 2024 Award Finalists at the Gallery@Oxo, thanks to the support of competition partners at Nikon.

More info: comedywildlifephoto.com | Instagram | Facebook

12 PHOTOS

#1 Gabriel Rojo, "Smiley Elephant Seal"

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'd better go...

#2 Christine Haines, "Saying My Prayers"

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.

#3 Przemyslaw Jakubczyk, "Unexpected Role Swap"

Every annoyed and overtired fish needs to de-stress by hunting for a bald eagle.

#4 Philippe Ricordel, "Easy Fellas - Hajime!"

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.

#5 Sanjay Patil, "The Rock Star"

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 fans as they do not have. Male lizards inflate their attractive neck pouch to attract the female in the hot summer season. Here is the female lizard standing upright to escape the summer heat.

#6 Sarosh Lodhi, "Wait...which Zebra Is In Front?!"

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.

#7 Scott Frier, "Nagging Is A Universal Concept"

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 lion cubs were 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 enter it in this contest so here it is.

#8 Artur Stankiewicz, "I'm Too Sexy For My Love"

On one of the 'lazy' mornings, we 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 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 out of the hairdresser with a big smile on his face! :)

#9 Arvind Mohandas, "The Contemplative Chimpanzee"

Shot in the jungles of Uganda, following a group of around 50 chimpanzees. This one was contemplating an important issue, on a day of realization and reaffirmation of how close chimpanzees are to humans!

#10 Christopher Arnold, "Monday Again"

I photographed this nutria directly from the canoe. It was busy grooming itself.

#11 Milko Marchetti, "Stuck Squirrel"

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 burrow.

#12 Tapani Linnanmäki, "Shake Ruffle Rattle And Roll"