The Funniest Finalists of the 2023 Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards

© Wendy Kaveney / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023

The finalists of the 2023 Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards have been announced, marking the start of voting for the People’s Choice Award. The 2023 shortlist includes 41 photos, three videos, and three portfolio entries.

The selections include big cats looking more silly than scary, funny faces, and animals caught at the perfect moment for a snapshot.

A baby joey poses on his angaroo mom's back.
© Lara Mathews / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards
Swan on the beach gets up close to the camera.
© Jaroslaw Kolacz / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023
A baby lion sleeps leaned up against a rock in a funny position.
© Christian Hargasser / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023

There are images of young animals looking as cute as possible and sleeping at strange angles as well as ones staring straight into the camera, absolutely strutting their stuff. A couple look as if they’re posing, knowing they have to give it their all to make the list of finalists. All in all, the 2023 finalists images have some lovely examples of wildlife photography. The images are so much more than just comedic — they are excellent examples of wildlife photography.

A ground squirrel jumps as if he could fly.
© Tímea Ambrus / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023
Two squirrels look like they're sharing a secret.
© Alex Pansier / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023
A family of Northern Gannet birds poses in a nest with two adults above a baby.
© Zoe Ashdown / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023
A Western Grey kangaroo looks as if it's playing air guitar.
© Jason Moore / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023

“These images have been whittled down from thousands of entries submitted from professional and amateur photographers from all around the world, presenting us with a wonderful eclectic mix of hilarious wildlife,” a release from The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards explains.

A young chacma baboon is sitting on its mother back in a cute pose.
© Brigitte Alcalay-Marcon / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023
A seal supports its head while laying on its side on a rock soaking up the sun, looking as if it's ready to pose for the camera.
© Kawing Chiu / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023
A puffin does an inverted snoopy impression while watching jelly fish.
© Brian Matthews / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023

The organization says that all the finalists are “hilarious and sure to raise a cackle or a chuckle” and inspire “wonder at the wonderful wildlife we share this world with.”

A brown bear in Finland poses with its leg straight up in the air.
© Dikla Gabriely / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023
A Painted Wolf bares its teeth, looking like a smile.
© Henry Keepin / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023

Photographers Paul Joynson-Hicks and Tom Sullam founded the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards in 2015 to promote conservation while showing the lighter side of wildlife photography. This year, the organization partnered with the Whitley Fund for Nature, which supports conservation leaders working in their home countries across the Global South, according to a release from the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards.

Two wallabies look as if they're dancing.
© Wayne Sorensen / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023
A monkey is Bali lays posing for the camera.
© Delphine Casimir / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023
An owl sits on a tree with its wings hanging down dramatically.
© John Blumenkamp / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023
A leopard jumps up in surprise.
© Paul Goldstein / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023

The top prize winner will earn a one-week safari in Masai Mara, Kenya and a handmade trophy from the Art Garage in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards is slated to announce the Overall Winner, Category, and Highly Commended Winners on November 23.

A beaver flosses at the camera.
© Jorn Vangoidtsenhoven / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023
An otter looks as if it's been captured mid-dance.
© Otter Kwek / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023
A Sulawesi macaque looks at a leaf with a surprised expression.
© Matti Rauvala / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023

Until then, fans of the funny photos can cast their votes for the People’s Choice Award. By voting, people will be entered for a chance to win £500 (about $607 USD at the time of this writing).

A family of greenfinches, with one looking as if it's angrilly pointing.
© Jacek Stankiewicz / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023
A lemur photographed from below, looking like it's screaming.
© Sergey Savvi / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023
An owl looks like it's making a grumpy face at the camera.
© Michael Erwin / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023

And for any photographers getting inspiration, though entries are closed for 2023, there is always next year. The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards is a free competition open to photographers of all experience levels.


Image credits: Photos courtesy of the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards. The individual photographers are credited in the image captions.

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