The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards highlight the world’s funniest animal photos. Shutterbugs Paul Joynson-Hicks and Tom Sullam co-founded the contest in 2015. Photos that appear to show animals playing instruments, attempting gymnastics, or undertaking other human actions are funny. Joynson-Hicks realized his animal photos could create empathy for animals by giving them human traits. The device is known as anthropomorphism.
Picture takers submitted more than 9,000 images to Nikon’s 2024 contest. Top prize went to Milko Marchetti. His photo’s title is “Stuck Squirrel.” The image shows the hind feet of a red squirrel protruding from a tree trunk. “I have taken many, many photographs of squirrels,” Marchetti says. “But this one struck me as really funny . . . because it is that exact moment when the squirrel is detaching its back legs from the trunk to enter its [nest].”
Nikon Europe’s Stefan Maier says Nikon hopes to inspire future wildlife photographers. A nature lover, Marchetti calls it a “superpower to freeze a moment and make it last forever.”
Do you like animals, photography, and good laughs? Compose your best caption for one or more of the funny animal photos. Email us at WORLDteeneditor@gwnews.com with your suggestions. Be sure to use the number listed with the image to identify which photo your caption belongs with. You just might see your response in print or on our website!
Why? God created humans and their many emotions and reactions, including humor and wonder. Animals give us opportunity to see many facets of His creativity and power.
Recommended Reading: For more on animal photography, see The Photo Ark by Joel Sartore.
