The animal kingdom is full of majestic predators, graceful flyers, and... total goofballs. Thankfully, the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards are officially back and open for 2026 entries, promising another brilliant year of "cheeky chimps, naughty newts and fearless flamingos".
Partnering once again with the legendary camera brand Nikon, this fabulous and joyful competition is looking for your most hilarious wildlife images and videos. To kick off the fun, the organizers have released a batch of "never seen before" gems from the 2025 competition just to give us a good chuckle.
Nature's Best Comedians
These unseen photos prove that Mother Nature has a fantastic sense of humor. Take, for instance, a hilarious shot from South Florida by photographer Elizabeth Sanjuan, aptly titled "Worlds longest parrot". By perfectly aligning themselves on a pole, a group of cheeky birds managed to create the mind-bending optical illusion of one endlessly long parrot!
Then there is Tímea Ambrus's perfectly timed photo of a purple heron in Hungary trying its best to blend in. Poking its head up through the tall reeds, the bird looks hilariously out of place. Ambrus joked about the heron's inner monologue: "I just wanted to disappear into the grass like a normal bird... but now everyone thinks I'm a giraffe and even the satellites are picking up my signal! This isn’t camouflage anymore , it’s a broadcast!".
And who could forget the tiny kidney garden spider captured by Sritam Kumar Sethy in India? Perched calmly on a vibrant green leaf, this little arachnid sports a comical black mustache that makes it look exactly like the famous 'Pringles' snack logo.
Photography with a Purpose
While the photos are guaranteed to make you smile, they also serve a beautiful and important purpose. Stefan Maier, Nikon Europe Senior General Manager Marketing, perfectly summed up the heart of the competition:
“We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with the Comedy Wildlife Awards, an initiative that has captured the hearts and imaginations of audiences worldwide. These awards showcase how humorous wildlife imagery can entertain, inspire, and bring people closer to nature. At Nikon, we are passionate about empowering photographers and filmmakers to create with purpose, and this collaboration is a wonderful way to celebrate their talent while highlighting the importance of conservation.".
Awesome Prizes and New Faces
This year's competition features some truly incredible prizes for the winners. The top photographer will score a once-in-a-lifetime safari in Kenya's Maasai Mara with Alex Walker’s Serian, along with a handmade trophy from The Wonder Workshop in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Other fantastic prizes include Nikon cameras and lenses, ThinkTANK camera bags, and a custom website.
The judging panel is also getting a fresh perspective this year, welcoming inspiring young wildlife photographer Jamie Smart and safari expert Will Fortescue to help crown the funniest photos of the year.
So, if you have ever snapped a perfectly timed, funny photo of an animal in the wild, now is your chance to share the joy with the world!
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