Wildlife photography usually gives us majestic lions, dramatic landscapes, soaring birds, and perfectly timed action shots. But every now and then, nature drops the serious act and delivers something downright hilarious. That’s exactly what’s happening with the Nikon 2026 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards, where animals once again prove they can steal the spotlight without even trying.
This year’s competition has gone bigger than ever, attracting more than 10,000 entries from 112 countries, the highest number in the awards’ history. The shortlist brings together 40 individual finalists, three U16 finalists, four portfolio finalists, and nine video finalists, creating one seriously entertaining celebration of wildlife.
And the images? They’re comedy gold. We’re talking about a caiman sporting what looks like a fabulous wig, a leopard apparently attempting a handstand, a white-tailed eagle strutting around like it owns the place, and a polar bear seemingly having a casual conversation with a seagull. Seriously, nature’s got jokes.
Founded in 2015 by photographers Paul Joynson-Hicks MBE and Tom Sullam, the awards combine exceptional photography with humor to highlight the importance of wildlife conservation. This year, the competition is supporting the Born Free Foundation, which works to protect wild animals and threatened species.
The winners will be announced on December 8, 2026, at an awards night in London, followed by a one-week exhibition at Gallery@Oxo from December 9–13.
Until then, enjoy these hilarious wildlife moments. Sometimes, nature’s funniest stories happen when nobody plans the punchline.
You can find more info about NCWA:
#1. Hercules, the baboon by Andy Parkinson, UK
"An infant olive baboon appears to demonstrate massive strength by holding an adult above its head."
#2. Doris with her hat by Andy Rouse, UK
"When this water buffalo lifted her head up it looked liked she had a fancy bonnet on so we called her Doris!"
#3. Push Over by Barbara Seiberl-Stark, Austria
"A lion pride was playing in the riverbed of Ruckomechi in Zimbabwe – The picture was taken during my very first Safari this year in june in Zimbabwe. We were out for a game drive early in the morning and were lucky to spot a pride of young lions in the dried-up riverbed just in front of the Kavinga-Camp. The rising sun bathed the landscape in glorious light and the lions had obviously a lot of fun. As there were 7 of them, it was hard to decide in wich direction or on what scene to point the camera. From all photos, I took this morning ‘Push over!’ was the funniest."
#4. Oops – I think I just parped by Carolyn Moore, UK
"In the spring of this year, I went with a friend to a spot that we knew had a healthy population of hares. Our plan was to see how close we could get to the hares without disturbing them using a little of what we knew about fieldcraft – it is important to stay below the horizon when tracking hare and to disguise solid shapes – such as human shapes!"
#5. Zonkling by Celine Nic Oireachtaigh, Ireland
"I’m an amateur wildlife photographer in West Offaly, Ireland, with a particular interest in capturing the wildlife that lives in and visits our local boglands and wetlands. I spotted this brood of Greylag goslings at Finnamore Lakes in County Offaly earlier this year. They are a regular sight in April and May, and on this day, after a swim in the lake, they snuggled down together in a fuzzy puddle."
#6. Bears Sharing a Joke by Charles Janson, USA
"These two subadult male Brown Bears are doing some play-fighting – practice sparring that will prepare them to engage in real fights with adult males. Although their swipes at each other can look dangerous, they are actually ‘friends’ (buddies that hang out with each other). It is very rare for one to seriously injure the other."
#7. If I can’t see you by Cliff Fawcett, UK
"I watched this bull in South Africa stroll toward a group with absolute confidence, until he got within twenty yards. Suddenly, the trunk went up, the eye went into hiding, and he executed a very slow, very awkward U-turn. We’ve all been there; he just happens to weigh six thousand kilos."
#8. The Leap He’ll Never Forget by David Lee, Singapore
"A long-tailed macaque leaps confidently between trees, but a split-second miscalculation turns the jump into a painful ordeal. Striking the trunk on landing, the monkey clutches its legs and lets out a cry of distress, a moment that highlights both the agility and the risks of life in the forest canopy."
#9. Sexy mantis by Diego Perez, Peru
"A tiny green mantis peeks over a leaf during a night walk in an area of Cusco, Peru, that is still waiting to be protected. I decided to enter this photograph because almost everyone I showed it to had the same reaction: they laughed immediately, even if they could not quite explain why. At first, the mantis seems to be sunbathing, or perhaps striking a rather glamorous pose."
#10. The different one by Dirk Koster, Netherlands
"I took this photo in 2025 in the Masai Mara, Kenya, in the Oltepesi area. Three young giraffes were standing side by side on the open, dry savanna and looked back at me with great curiosity. Then I noticed that right behind the middle one stood a single umbrella acacia, perfectly lined up with its head and neck. Suddenly that giraffe seemed to be ‘wearing’ the tree, like a green hairdo or a rather fancy hat."
#11. Oooh, that tickles… by Doug Gimesy, Australia
"These two Southern elephant seals were playing with each other, one occasionally trying to gently bite each other’s neck. Doug is a professional conservation and wildlife welfare photojournalist and Senior Fellow of the international League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP) and says "I hope the images I take and the information I share will encourage others to treat the natural world and all its wonderful wildlife a little more kindly."
#12. Out of water by Thong Duy Vu, Vietnam
"On a gentle sunlit afternoon, a little sunbird excitedly set off for a five-star spa deep in the forest. From afar, he spotted a “natural bathtub” – a bright red banana blossom, filled with cool water and plenty of sweet nectar. He landed on the blossom and savored the sweet nectar. After his treat, he hopped into the “tub” and began enjoying the refreshing, cool water."
#13. Fish-headed bird by Eigil B Jensen, Norway
"I discovered the anhinga that had caught a fish. Unfortunately (or luckily) the bird had penetrated the fish with its beak during the catch. There were several comic situations as the bird tried to loosen the fish. I was on a boat on the river, and the bird was close to the riverbank."
#14. If I were just a little faster… by Eric Boren, USA
"A polar bear contemplates an ivory gull in the pack ice north of Svalbard. Polar bears are opportunistic and will eat birds’ eggs when they find them. This bear must have wandered near a nest, as several ivory gulls harassed her for quite a while. I captured a number of images, including some where the gull appeared to be guiding the bear through the pack ice or traveling alongside her as a companion. At one point, the bear lay down and the gull landed nearby, allowing me to capture this photo of the two seeming to contemplate each other."
#15. Did I sleep past my alarm? by Fabi Fregonesi, Brazil
"That universal look of pure panic when you suddenly wake up and realize you’re supposed to be at work in five minutes. Behind the comical face is a story of extreme underwater patience. This blenny was hidden inside a tiny, camouflaged tube on the reef, and it opened its mouth to feed for only a split second."
#16. Cheeky little elephant by Hannah Dietl, Germany
"I was on a trip to South Africa last year and we saw this little elephant messing around with his friend. so of course i had to get the perfect shot of this cheeky little elephant."
#17. Lessons by Heather Cudworth, USA
"Amboseli was in the midst of a 4 year drought. The land was extremely parched. Elephants are known for giving themselves dust baths. This behavior provides protection from the sun and soothes their skin. While observing elephants tossing dust and mud over their bodies is somewhat common, I don’t think the huge plume of dust delivered directly to this youngsters face would have been possible if not for the extreme dry conditions."
#18. The Handstand by Homagni Sahana, India
"This image is one of many I got throughout a memorable morning in Samburu. This female spent much of the morning perching herself on different vantage points in search of her cub. She found the cub later on, capping a memorable day for us. It was like a documentary played out in front of our eyes. This day remains the highlight of that trip, as I am fascinated with leopards."
#19. Angry Bird by Jan Wittmer, Germany
"During my photo trip to the island of Helgoland, I encountered a goldcrest for the very first time – and it was love at first sight. Europe’s smallest bird wandered around on the ground right in front of me, presumably searching for food. To get a perspective at eye level, I placed my camera on the ground. My heart was pounding, and my finger was glued to the shutter as the tiny bird darted back and forth every second. Suddenly, it came to a complete stop and looked straight into the camera. That was the exact moment this photo was taken."
#20. The Secret Kiss by Jeetendra Chaware, India
"A pair of Blue-winged Parakeets – were busy in intimate act – the moment was captured as if they were engaged in exchanging a secret kiss!"
#21. Resting Owl Face by Ka Chum Jacky Sung, Hong Kong
"This photo was taken during a birding trip in March this year with my friends to Nanling National Forest Park in China. Amid the total darkness of the forest, a little owl flew silently and perched on a branch in front of us before it started to sing. Not wanting to waste this precious opportunity, we did nothing but take burst shots of this cute creature with our cameras before it flew off again, aided only by the dim light of our torches."
#22. Are You Kidding Me? by Kevin Lohman, USA
"A young Great Horned Owl had barely settled onto its perch before a protective squirrel launched a surprise aerial tackle, knocking it into the grass below. The most unbelievable part? The squirrel repeated the stunt two more times. The owl and squirrel were shaken up, but unharmed."
#23. A Very Pressured Spadefish by Kyo Chen, Taiwan
"In the waters of Dumaguete, Philippines, a spadefish swims just ahead of a giant whale shark, wearing an expression as if an overwhelming pressure is closing in from behind. From mountains to seas, from snow-covered summits to beneath frozen waters, I love immersing myself in the natural world. This photograph was taken in Oslob, Cebu, during my first diving experience in the Philippines."
#24. Nature’s Window by Lee Frost, UK
"May, 6am, and I was just about ready to head home after photographing insects as they warmed up for the day. This sleepy damselfly had slowly climbed a blade of grass, so I gently placed it on a leaf for one last portrait. Instead of posing politely, it disappeared behind the leaf, popped its head through a ready-made window, and just as I pressed the shutter… gave me a cheerful wave. Clearly, someone wanted the last laugh!"
#25. Exhausted Badger cub by Lukas Andree Andersen, Sweden
"This photo is from the first year I found this badger family. I had been visiting the area several times without any luck, and one day I decided to get there a little earlier than usual. I positioned myself with a ghillie camouflage to make sure I didn’t disturb them and to allow them to get comfortable with my presence."
#26. Two birds one vision by Lynn Emery, UK
"Two little owls stand side by side during sunset in the desert of Dubai whilst one is focused on the sunset the other is focused on me, creating a weird and wonderful image."
#27. Smile by Marek Jackowski, Poland
"Elephant seal walking between King Penguin chicks. Welcome to Gold Harbour, South Georgia: nature’s most chaotic beach resort. It’s a breathtaking place with glaciers, mountains, and zero personal space. Here, King Penguins and Elephant Seals share the shore in a constant game of ‘don’t get crushed by the 4-ton blob.’ Every time a huge seal moves, the penguins scatter like people avoiding a toddler on a scooter."
#28. Sea gangsters by Marek Jackowski, Poland
"During my expedition to Svalbard Archipelago in the Autumn of 2024, I visited small Moffen Island. There were a couple of groups of Walruses resting on the beach. They were very relaxed lying next to each other, presumably to conserve body heat in the freezing Arctic temperatures. These animals are incredibly social, frequently lounging in large, tightly packed herds.Autumn 2024, Svalbard (Moffen Island)."
#29. This is my best side by Natalie Veekmans, Belgium
"Two Belgian beavers who have clearly decided that humans are no reason to interrupt their daily routine and they even seemed happy to pose for the camera."
#30. Elvis by Paolo Torre, Italy
"This caiman emerged from the water in an area with a lot of floating vegetation, and part of it remained on its head. It resembles a 1950s rock and roll hairstyle."
#31. Squirrel wars by Remi Schnell, France
"Is it a squirrel? A bird? A superhero?… No one really knows, and that’s exactly why this image belongs just as much in this category as in any other category of the competition!… More seriously, behind this photograph there is an entire year of waiting for all the right conditions to come together, allowing me to finally capture this image. It looks as though it came straight out of a science-fiction movie, yet it is completely real!"
#32. The Ground Is Lava! by Robert Gondek, Poland
"One cautious step at a time, this chameleon crossed the sandy ground as if every pebble were dangerously hot. With one hand raised and its most serious face on, it looked less like a reptile and more like a tiny green action hero. Camouflage was clearly not part of today’s plan."
#33. Ballet Dancer by Robert Nairn, UK
"I am 69 and an amateur photographer and member of Ayr Photographic Society. I am a general photographer but enjoy wildlife photography and was inspired by David Bailey and bought an Olympus OM1 in 1978. However, having four children I did not return to more serious photography until after I retired. This image was taken in Dumfriesshire, Scotland with a Nikon z8 and 100-400 mm lens."
#34. #ForTheGram by Rosie Barrett, UK
"I went on a photography mission in Finland and my absolute dream species was the brown bear. After a few days of observing bears in the woods, I was lucky enough to encounter a family with 3 playful yearling’s. They were all climbing up and down the trees and one stopped for just a moment in this perfect pose. Pretty sure he knew it was for Instagram..un-bear-lieavable!"
#35. Morning calisthenics by Scott Suraino, USA
"Beach Bodies aren’t given, they are Earned! This furry apex predator begins her morning routine with some rigorous calisthenics, including some "Bicycle Kicks" to work those abs, (abdominal muscles). No rest days for this dedicated beach babe as she is puts in the sweat equity to get herself ready for the upcoming summer season."
#36. Just a gentle nudge… for traffic discipline by Shailza Singhal, India
"In the vast openness of Amboseli’s lakebed, two elephants were crossing the landscape while a distant jeep made its way across the horizon. From where I stood, perspective brought them briefly into alignment, creating the illusion that the lead elephant was about to give the vehicle a gentle but unmistakable nudge."
#37. Hair Check Before the Family Photo by Subi Sridharan, Birmingham
"One meerkat insists on giving a last-minute grooming inspection while the others are trying their best to look respectable."
#38. Spicy Orangutan by Tanner Mansell, USA
"A wild orangutan in the rainforests of Borneo appears to deliver a perfectly timed gesture toward the camera. As he finishes a meal with one finger extended, it creates the unmistakable impression that he is flipping off the lens. Though entirely coincidental, the moment captures an almost unsettling reflection of ourselves in one of our closest relatives."
#39. Fashion fades. Feather coats are forever by Tapani Linnanmäki, Finland
"For four winters now, I have had the privilege of photographing white-tailed eagles on the frozen sea around Kustavi, on Finland’s western coast. During the first winter, two white-tailed eagles always came to the spot, presumably a pair. Since then, there has only been one eagle."
#40. Little Godzilla by Udo Harms, Germany
"This squirrel had taken a bit too much in its mouth – but with a few firm bites, the greenery was made to fit. Taken with the Nikon Z6 II and AF-S Nikkor 500mm PF, 1/1000 sec., f8.0, Iso 4500."
Frequently Asked Questions:
How many entries did the 2026 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards receive?
The 2026 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards received more than 10,000 entries from 112 countries, the highest number of submissions in the competition’s history, showcasing hilarious, memorable wildlife moments captured by photographers worldwide.
How many finalists are featured in the 2026 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards?
The 2026 shortlist includes 40 Individual Finalists, three U16 Category Finalists, four Portfolio Category Finalists, and nine Video Category Finalists, creating a diverse collection of funny, creative, and entertaining wildlife photography.
When will the 2026 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards winners be announced?
The Overall Winner, Category Winners, and Highly Commended Winners will be announced on December 8, 2026, during an awards night in London. The announcement will celebrate outstanding wildlife photography and humor from this year’s competition.
Who founded the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards?
Professional photographers Paul Joynson-Hicks MBE and Tom Sullam co-founded the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards in 2015. The competition combines exceptional wildlife photography with humor while using its platform to encourage awareness and support for wildlife conservation.
Which conservation organization is supported by the 2026 awards?
The 2026 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards are supporting the Born Free Foundation, an international charity dedicated to rescuing and protecting wild animals from exploitation while helping conserve threatened species and their natural habitats for future generations.
