The funniest and most popular photography competition in the world—The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards—announced the winners of the 2024 competition this week, with the top honor going to a red squirrel stuck in a tree.
Over 9000 images were entered, the highest number in the contest’s ten-year history, from professional and amateur photographers vying for the top accolade.
The competition was tight among the 45 finalists, with judges selecting their favorites, with only a few points between the top 5 entries. But Milko Marchetti’s image called, ‘Stuck Squirrel’ was popular across the board.
The moment was over in a flash, Milko recalled.
“I have taken many photographs of squirrels, in many situations over the years in Italy, but this one struck me as really funny and such a strange position, because it is that exact moment when the squirrel is detaching its back legs from the trunk to enter its hide.”
“Whenever I show this image at the nature seminars at my local photography club, the audience always explodes with laughter, so I had to enter it!”
The competition was founded in 2015 by Paul Joynson-Hicks and Tom Sullam, both professional photographers and passionate conservationists to create a refreshing, fun, and free photography competition unlike any other, showcasing funny images of the earth’s most amazing wildlife and raising awareness about conservation.
As the over-all winner, Milko gets a once in a lifetime safari in the Masai Mara, Kenya, with Alex Walker’s Serian plus a photography bag.
There were 9 Category Winners, including this charming snap of a Mantis mediterranea from Spain, which won the Insect Category.
There were special mentions for the younger generation of emerging photographers including the winning shot of a frog that won the Nikon Young Photographer Award (for those under 25), with a close up of a frog smiling at the camera. Kingston Tam from Australia received a Z8 + 24-120mm kit from Nikon for their entry.
There were Highly Commended Winners too, like the owl and woodpecker (pictured, top) and this one of a flying squirrel in Japan looking like a boss.
Another Highly Commended Winner features King Penguins in the Falkland Islands. The image shows a male trying to make a move on a female who has already paired up with another male. The body position and wing posture make the message clear, ‘back off!’
CHECK OUT LAST YEAR’S WINNERS: The Comedy Wildlife Photo Winners Are Here–And They’re Absolutely Adorable
To see more winners or to enter next year’s competition, visit the Comedy Wildlife Photo website.
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