A puffin has some fun on Farne Island. Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2016 image via Mary Swaby/Barcroft Images
The Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards are back, and open for entries. We’ve looked through the early candidates and picked 20 of the best.
With more than 1,500 entries last year, the project is a novel way to promote animal conservation throughout the globe. Julian Rad’s ‘Rush Hour’ image of a hamster on the run took last year’s prize in the inaugural edition of the now annual event.
“The essence of the competition is to raise awareness of the wildlife that we live with,” said Tom Sullam, one of the judges and founders of the competition. “Comedy is an essential part of our lives, and there are thousands of occasions when pets and wild animals alike behave in a funny manner.”
Partnering with the wildlife charity the Born Free Foundation, the awards are designed to share with the public the ‘true playfulness of the animal kingdom’.
‘Rush Hour’. Image via Julian Rad/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards
“One of the key aspects of our competition, apart from enjoying wildlife doing funny things, is to highlight the tragic state of many wildlife species around the world and to create awareness for conservation issues, which is why we have a wonderful partnership with the Born Free Foundation,” said Sullam.
“We will be sharing revenue with the Born Free Foundation as well as promoting their incredible work.”
The deadline for entries is 1 October, with the overall winner receiving a photographic safari holiday consisting of seven nights in Kenya’s Masai Mara, return flights to the country and a new camera (Nikon D810 body, 24-120mm f/4G ED VR AF-S NIKKOR lens).
Here are 20 of the early entries:
A comedic photo of a cheetah appearing to find something hilarious. Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2016 image via Dutton Robert/Barcroft Images
Walrus at haul out site. Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2016 image via Alec Connah/Barcroft Images
‘Just putting on my pearls before I hit the town’. Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2016 image via Murray Mcculloch/Barcroft Images
(Left): Two penguins appear to be walking headless. (Right): A mountain gorilla is caught on camera picking its nose in Rwanda. Images via Charles Kinsey/Cedric Favero/Barcroft Images
A lion cub follows its mother very closely. Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2016 image via Douglas Croft/Barcroft Images
(Left): Giraffe with unusual physical features, coping well at the waterhole, but looking very comical. (Right) Shooting the head-shaking horse with a high shutter speed. Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2016 via Monika Carrie/Alexander Pfeiffer/Barcroft Images
One very content snowy owl. Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2016 image via Edward Kopeschn/Barcroft Images
‘The happiest fish in the world’. Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2016 via Craig Moore/Barcroft Images
Cute family of squirrels pictured on a family outing. Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2016 image via Yvette Richard/Barcroft Images
A frog and chipmunk share a romantic kiss. Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2016 image via Isabelle Marozzo/Barcroft Images
Alpaca with bad hair and goofy teeth. Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2016 image via Richard Gibson/Barcroft Images.
A regular beach day for a kangaroo. Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2016 image via Rosario Losano Cordoba/Barcroft Images
Eastern Chipmunk stuffing her cheeks with corn until they looked ready to pop. Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2016 image via Barb D’Arpino/Barcroft Images
Gannet finding fishing difficult in England. Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2016 image via Chrys Mellor/ Barcroft Images
An inquisitive bald eagle in Alaska. Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2016 image via Will Saunders/Barcroft Images
A puffin has some fun on Farne Island. Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2016 image via Mary Swaby/Barcroft Images
A baby elephant face-plants the ground. Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2016 image via Markus Pavlowsky/Barcroft Images
Burrowing Owlets quite pleased with themselves for flying up to a low perch and for a split second the owlet to the rear was directly behind the one in front. Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2016 image via Barb D’Arpino/Barcroft Images
