‘Cheeky’, African LIoness with Cub, Ngorongo Conservation Area, Tanzania Photo by Barbara Fleming
Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Although it’s believed that a sense of humor is a distinctly human emotion, these newly released funny animal photos from Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards may convince you to question that assumption.
In fact, research has found that some animal species may indeed use wit to strengthen their bonds in the same way that many have the capacity for love, fear, sorrow, guilt, anger, shame, disgust and empathy – and that primates smile and some rats can giggle.
And while science has found that various animals can be nutty and mischievous — and that their laughter might be more common than was earlier believed — there is also the fact that humans tend to “anthropomorphize” the behavior of animals.
Here, in this selection of previously unseen images from last year’s Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards, are some examples of both animals’ humor and our anthropomorphizing of their behavior.
The images range from a cheetah’s laugh to a deer pulling a surprised face, to birds stumbling into hilarious situations or simply living their ‘ordinary’ lives until a human photographer in the right place at the right moment from the right angle transforms them into a humorous scene.
Play Puzzles & Games on Forbes
Showing a lighter side of wild animal photography, this competition with sustainability at the forefront of its aims runs in partnership with Nikon and supports the nonporfit Whitley Fund for Nature dedicated to empowering conservation leaders across the Global South.
“Comedy Wildlife’s photographs transcend cultures and ages to bring a smile to everyone’s face and with a mission to engage wildlife lovers everywhere to be part of a global conversation about conservation,” say the organizers.
The 2025 competition, free to enter and now open, will close on June 30. The shortlist of candidates will be revealed in October and the winners announced in November or December.
The contest categories include: Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians, Insects, Fish and Other Aquatic Species, Nikon Young Photographer (25 Years and Under), Nikon Junior Photographer (16 Years and Under), Portfolio, Video and Photo People’s Choice Award.
Great Egret Fun, Dallas, Texas
Mary Hulshouser, U.S. – Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
“I went to this rookery, right in the heart of the medical district in downtown Dallas, Texas, several times this spring where hundreds of these Great Egrets come to breed,” Mary Hulshouser explains.
“The babies are hilarious to watch from the time they are newly hatched until they are ready to fledge. They are constantly crying for food and sometimes thinking they can get nourishment from each other. You can’t help but get some funny pictures of them with their crazy hair and expressions! “
Laughing Cheetah, Masai Mara, Kenya
Udara Pathminda – Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
With its relaxed pose, this cheetah in Masai Mara, Kenya, looks like it’s having the time of its life.
Peek-A-Boo, Volcanoes Mountain, Rwanda
Amish Chhagan – Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
A baby golden monkey peers from behind a tree while chewing on a piece of bamboo, contemplating the day ahead.
Forgot your birthday AGAIN! Lake Clark National Park, Alaska
Charles Janson – Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
“We had been hanging out with this bear (and his buddy) for several hours while they slept and played on the beach in coastal Alaska,” Charles Janson says. “After waking from a nap, this one started to clean himself, using his paw to wipe sand from his face. In this pose he looks embarrassed.”
Four-VVinged Goose, Hamburg, Germany
Elmar Weiss – Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
A four-winged goose (or two geese?) skim over a lake in Hamburg, Germany.
One-Eyed Peeper, Leicester, UK
Helen Cherry – Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
‘I had been photographing fallow deer when this one, which had been lying to the left of the tree, got up and peeped from behind the tree for just a couple of seconds,” says Helen Cherry. “It looks as though it only has one eyeball but it’s just that the eye on the left caught the light.”
Conciliation, Red Billed Starling, Dahua Xingzhi Park , China
Yuehui-Xiong, Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Captured in mid-flight, this moment of playful fighting between Red Billed Starling birds seems to be arbitrated by a commen friend.
Bear-Hug , Polar Bears Svalbard, Norway
Michael Stavrakakis – Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Mum and cub bear come together for a proper bear hug. “The two had just finished attempting to embark our ship (unsuccessfully), and tried hunting a pod of beluga whales (and failed),” Michael Stavrakakis explains. ”It’s nice to see them still hugging it out anyway.”
Juggling pelican, Greece, Lake Kerkini
Oli Konecna – Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
This Curly Headed pelican is trying to impress his audience with his latest juggling act: How to get the fish even further down the throat of the beak.
Declaration of love, Ground squirrel Vienna
Roland Kranitz – Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Declaration of love: It was as if this ground squirrel were confessing his love to the flower.
The funny animal photos contest is free and open to photographers of all levels and ages.
MORE FROM FORBES
