Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021 - finalists

The finalists of the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021 have been revealed, with the winning images being announced in October.

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Published: September 1, 2021 at 12:00 am

The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards celebrates some of the funniest moments seen in wildlife and captured on camera. Now in its seventh year, the competition organisers have released the finalists.

About the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards was co-founded in 2015 by professional photographers Paul Joynson-Hicks MBE and Tom Sullam who wanted to create a competition that focused on the lighter side of wildlife photography and help promote wildlife conservation through humour.

This year, the competition is supporting Save Wild Orangutans by donating 10% of its total net revenue to the charity. The initiative safeguards wild orangutans in and around Gunung Palung National Park, Borneo.

This year’s shortlist of photographs showcases the biggest mix of animals seen in the competition to date.

“We were overwhelmed with the number and quality of entries we received this year, with well over 7,000 photos submitted from every corner of the globe,” says Paul Joynson-Hicks. “It was an amazing turnout, especially given the impact of the pandemic. The huge number of images we receive every year illustrates the appetite there is to engage with conservation and reminds us that wildlife truly is incredible and hilarious and, we must do all we can to protect it.”

The Category and Overall Winners will be announced on October 22 2021 with the top image winning an incredible one-week safari with Alex Walker's Serian in the Masai Mara, Kenya as well as a unique handmade trophy from the Art Garage in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Voting is also open for members of the public to choose the animal snap that made them laugh the loudest in the Affinity Photo People’s Choice Award. The public can cast their vote at on the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards website until 10 October 2021 and be in with the chance of winning a brand-new iPad.

“Whittling down the list of photographs was harder than ever this year,” says Tom Sullam. “There were so many funny pictures that had us laughing that we couldn’t settle on a top 40 – so we’re releasing the top 42 instead! It was great to see a range of animals, from the incredibly rare to the humble pigeon. We can’t wait to see what the public choose as their favourite and look forward to showcasing some of these pictures at The Photography Show in Birmingham this September.”

Fancy learning to take your own wildlife photography? Check out our Wildlife Photography Masterclass series hosted by professional photographer Mark Carwardine for advice and inspiration.

More images from the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards:

To view the images as a slideshow, click on the arrows in the top right hand corner of the photos below.

Quarantine Life: raccoon, Ontario, Canada. © Kevin Biskaborn (Canada).
Quarantine Life: raccoon, Ontario, Canada. © Kevin Biskaborn (Canada)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
The Photo-Bombing Wave: polar bears, Alaska, USA. © Cheryl Strahl (USA).
The Photo-Bombing Wave: polar bears, Alaska, USA. © Cheryl Strahl (USA)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
Flautist: ground squirrel, Hungary. © Roland Kranitz (Hungary).
Flautist: ground squirrel, Hungary. © Roland Kranitz (Hungary)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
Attitude!! Fan-throated lizard, India. © Aditya Kshirsagar (India) Aditya Kshirsagar PUNE India Phone: Title: Attitude!!! Description: Males of these species of lizard chooses higher elevations to monitor their territory and display. Caught this perticular male roosting on the twing of bush during high heat summer. Animal: Fan Throated lizard Location of shot: India
Attitude!! Fan-throated lizard, India. © Aditya Kshirsagar (India)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
Leaning post: brown bear, Kamchatka Peninsula, Far East Russia. © Andy Parkinson (UK).
Leaning post: brown bear, Kamchatka Peninsula, Far East Russia. © Andy Parkinson (UK)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
Shhhh! I'm so hungover it hurts: burrowing owl, San Bernardino county, California, USA. © Anita Ross (USA).
Shhhh! I'm so hungover it hurts: burrowing owl, San Bernardino county, California, USA. © Anita Ross (USA)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
Ninja Prairie Dog! Bald eagle, Longmont, USA. © Arthur Trevino (USA)
Ninja Prairie Dog! Bald eagle and prairie dog, Longmont, USA. © Arthur Trevino (USA)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
Don't worry. Be happy! Damselfly, Hemer, Germany. © Axel Bocker (Germany).
Don't worry. Be happy! Damselfly, Hemer, Germany. © Axel Bocker (Germany)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
Foot Jam: raccoon, Wisconsin (USA). © Brook Burling (USA).
Foot Jam: raccoon, Wisconsin, USA. © Brook Burling (USA)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
Directing penguin: gentoo penguins, Falkland Islands. © Carol Taylor (UK).
Directing penguin: gentoo penguins, Falkland Islands. © Carol Taylor (UK)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
Peekaboo: gosling, Lee Valley Park, London, UK. © Charlie Page (UK).
Peekaboo: gosling, Lee Valley Park, London, UK. © Charlie Page (UK)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
Time for school: smooth-coated otter, Singapore. © Chee Kee Teo (Singapore).
Time for school: smooth-coated otter, Singapore. © Chee Kee Teo (Singapore)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
See who jumps high: mudskipper fish, Taiwan. © Chu Han Li (Taiwan).
See who jumps high: mudskipper fish, Taiwan. © Chu Han Li (Taiwan)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
The Baboon Who Feels Like A Tenor: Hamdryas baboon, Saudi Arabia. © Clemence Guinard (France).
The Baboon Who Feels Like A Tenor: Hamdryas baboon, Saudi Arabia. © Clemence Guinard (France)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
Majestic and Graceful Bald Eagle, Florida, USA. © David Eppley (USA).
Majestic and Graceful Bald Eagle, Florida, USA. © David Eppley (USA)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
Fluff: Konik horse, Groenlanden, Ooij, Netherlands. © Edwin Smits (Netherlands).
Fluff: Konik horse, Groenlanden, Ooij, Netherlands. © Edwin Smits (Netherlands)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
Shaking Off 2020: brown pelican, Louisiana, USA. © Dawn Wilson (USA).
Shaking Off 2020: brown pelican, Louisiana, USA. © Dawn Wilson (USA)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
Monkey Riding A Giraffe: monkey and giraffe, Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda. © Dirk-Jan Steehouwer (Netherlands).
Monkey Riding A Giraffe: monkey and giraffe, Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda. © Dirk-Jan Steehouwer (Netherlands)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
The Green Stylist: Indian chameleon, Western Ghats, India. © Gurumoorthy Gurumoorthy (India).
The Green Stylist: Indian chameleon, Western Ghats, India. © Gurumoorthy Gurumoorthy (India)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
Smoked Deer For Dinner: tiger, Jim Corbett National Park, India. © Siddhant Agrawal (India).
Smoked Deer For Dinner: tiger, Jim Corbett National Park, India. © Siddhant Agrawal (India)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
Treehugger: proboscis monkey, Borneo. © Jakub Hodan (Slovakia).
Treehugger: proboscis monkey, Borneo. © Jakub Hodan (Slovakia)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
Draw Me Like One Of Your French Bears: brown bear, Alaska, USA. © Wenona Suydam (USA).
Draw Me Like One Of Your French Bears: brown bear, Alaska, USA. © Wenona Suydam (USA)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
Chinese Whispers: raccoon, Kassel, Germany. © Jan Piecha (Germany).
Chinese Whispers: raccoon, Kassel, Germany. © Jan Piecha (Germany)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
I Guess Summer's Over: pigeon, Oban, Scotland, UK. © John Speirs (UK).
I Guess Summer's Over: pigeon, Oban, Scotland, UK. © John Speirs (UK)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
Yes, I did it: Green tree frog, Tangerang, Indonesia. © Dikky Oesin (Indonesia).
Yes, I did it: Green tree frog, Tangerang, Indonesia. © Dikky Oesin (Indonesia)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
We're Too Sexy For This Beach: gentoo penguins, Falkland Islands. © Joshua Galicki (USA).
We're Too Sexy For This Beach: gentoo penguins, Falkland Islands. © Joshua Galicki (USA)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
Monday Morning Mood: pied starling, Rietvlei, South Africa. © Andrew Mayes
Monday Morning Mood: pied starling, Rietvlei, South Africa. © Andrew Mayes (South Africa)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
Just Checking: vervet monkey, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia. © Larry Petterborg (USA).
Just Checking: vervet monkey, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia. © Larry Petterborg (USA)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
Missed: kangaroo, Perth, Australia. © Lee Scadden (Australia).
Missed: kangaroo, Perth, Australia. © Lee Scadden (Australia)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
Mr Giggles: grey seal, Yorkshire, England, UK. © Martina Novotna (UK).
Mr Giggles: grey seal, Yorkshire, England, UK. © Martina Novotna (UK)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
Ouch! Golden silk monkey, Yunnan China. © Ken Jensen (UK).
Ouch! Golden silk monkey, Yunnan China. © Ken Jensen (UK)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
Welcome To Nature! Damselfly, Gothenburg, Sweden. © Mattias Hammer (Sweden).
Welcome To Nature! Damselfly, Gothenburg, Sweden. © Mattias Hammer (Sweden)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
Peek-A-Boo: brown bear, Hargita Mountains, Romania. © Paul Marchhart (Hungary).
Peek-A-Boo: brown bear, Hargita Mountains, Romania. © Paul Marchhart (Hungary)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
Did I Say That You Could Take My Picture? Ruby-crowned kinglet, California, USA. © Patrick Dirlam (USA).
Did I Say That You Could Take My Picture? Ruby-crowned kinglet, California, USA. © Patrick Dirlam (USA)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
Sweet Lips Are For Kissing! Boxfish, Dutch Caribbean. © Philipp Stahr (Germany).Sweet Lips Are For Kissing! Boxfish, Dutch Caribbean. © Philipp Stahr (Germany).
Sweet Lips Are For Kissing! Boxfish, Dutch Caribbean. © Philipp Stahr (Germany)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
How Do You Get That Damn Window Open? Racoon, France. © Nicolas de Vaulx (France).
How Do You Get That Damn Window Open? Racoon, France. © Nicolas de Vaulx (France)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
Cotton-Eyed Joe, grizzly bear, Alaska, USA. © Rick Elieson (USA).
Cotton-Eyed Joe, grizzly bear, Alaska, USA. © Rick Elieson (USA)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
I Got You: ground squirrel, Hungary. © Roland Kranitz (Hungary).
I Got You: ground squirrel, Hungary. © Roland Kranitz (Hungary)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
Dancing Away To Glory: langur, Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, India. © Sarosh Lodhi (India).
Dancing Away To Glory: langur, Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, India. © Sarosh Lodhi (India)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
Let's dance: brown bear, Kamchatka Peninsula, Far East Russia. © Andy Parkinson (UK).
Let's dance: brown bear, Kamchatka Peninsula, Far East Russia. © Andy Parkinson (UK)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
Laughing snake: vine snake, India. © Aditya Kshirsagar (India)
Laughing snake: vine snake, India. © Aditya Kshirsagar (India)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
Operatic Warm Ups, kangaroo, Perth, Australia. © Lee Scadden (Australia).
Operatic Warm Ups, kangaroo, Perth, Australia. © Lee Scadden (Australia)/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.
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