Take a break and laugh at some of the best entries of 2021 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

This year’s Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards is still open for entries and there’s time until June. But there are already some photos that won’t fail to make you laugh. The amazing contest organizers shared some of them with DIYP, and they’re just what you need to unwind if you’re having a stressful day.

Even though there’s more than a month till it’s closed for entries, the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards has already received thousands of photos from around the world. So, why not share some of them now, right? Now in its seventh year, this contest has always shared and rewarded wildlife’s funniest moments caught on camera.

The chosen photographs show animals from Africa, the Caribbean to Brazil, captured at the perfect moment. While each of them has its charm, this one of a moody pied starling must be my favorite. Fun fact: this is exactly the face I make every morning before breakfast and my first coffee!

The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards was co-founded in 2015 by professional photographers Paul Joynson-Hicks MBE and Tom Sullam. Most of you know that the contest focuses on the lighter side of wildlife photography, but also supports and promotes the conservation of wildlife and habitats through humor.

“A lot of wildlife shown in these images are facing threats to their populations and habitats that are heart-breaking,” said Paul Joynson-Hicks MBE, the contest co-founder. “With this competition, we wanted to capture people’s attention and energy by giving them a giggle. In order to protect animals, we need people to fall in love with them. We think these wondrous shots show a side of wildlife that we don’t often get to see. They remind us of the beauty, and comedy, in our natural world that needs protecting.”

“Last year, our winning picture of a grumpy-looking turtle swearing at the camera took the world by storm,” said Tom Sullam, the contest co-founder. “People love to see these beautiful creatures in these silly situations – it reminds us that we’re not too dissimilar.” 

As I mentioned, the contest is still open for entries. If you have any hilarious wildlife photos you’d like to submit, you have time until 31 June. The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021 is free to enter, and you can submit up to ten photographs across the six categories. This year the prizes range from a once-in-a-lifetime safari in the Maasai Mara in Kenya, a subscription to Affinity Photo, a camera bag from ThinkTank, and, of course, the prestigious title of 2021 Comedy Wildlife Photographer of the Year.

Whether you need inspiration for your own photos, or just some light-hearted wildlife humor (who doesn’t need that?), take a look at more photos below, and let us know your favorite in the comments.