The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021 have been announced and we reckon the overall winning photo will make a few people wince!
Entitled ‘Ouch’’ by Ken Jensen, the photo of a Golden Silk Monkey in China looking a little more than uncomfortable won out against 7,000 hilarious entries from across the globe.
This is actually a show of aggression however in the position that the monkey is in it looks quite painful!
Overall winner – Ouch by Ken Jensen
Photo: © Ken Jensen / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021
The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards was co-founded in 2015 by professional photographers Paul Joynson-Hicks MBE and Tom Sullam who wanted to create a competition that focused on the lighter side of wildlife photography and help promote wildlife conservation through humour.
This year, the competition is supporting Save Wild Orangutans by donating 10% of its total net revenue to the charity. The initiative safeguards wild orangutans in and around Gunung Palung National Park, Borneo.
Here are all the category winners, which includes Aussie Lea Scaddan who was a Highly Commended Winner for her photo of kangaroos.
Creatures on the Land – Ninja Prairie Dog by Arthur Trevino
When this Bald Eagle missed on its attempt to grab this prairie dog, the prairie dog jumped towards the eagle and startled it long enough to escape to a nearby burrow. A real David vs Goliath story!
Photo: © Arthur Trevino / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021
Creatures in the Air – I guess summer’s over by John Speirs
The photographer was taking photos of pigeons in flight when this leaf landed on the bird’s face. Perfect timing!
This photo also won the People’s Choice Award category.
Photo: © John Speirs / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021
Creatures under the Water – Time for school by Chee Kee Teo
A smooth-coated otter “bit” its baby otter to bring it back to and fro for swimming lesson.
Photo: © Chee Kee Teo / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021
Video – Hugging Best Friend After Lockdown by Rahul Lakhuni
A white throated Kingfisher in Delhi swoops in to topple another one in what looks like an over-enthusiastic hug (or rugby tackle)!
Portfolio – The Joy of a Mud Bath by Vicki Jauron
An elephant expresses his joy in taking a mud bath against the dead trees on the shores of Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe on a hot afternoon.
Photo: © Vicki Jauron / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021
Highly Commended Winners
Lea Scaddan – Missed
Two Western Grey Kangaroos were fighting and one missed kicking him in the stomach.
Photo: © Lea Scaddan / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021
Andy Parkinson – Let’s dance
Two Kamchatka bear cubs square up for a celebratory play fight having successfully navigated a raging torrent (small stream!)
Photo: © Andy Parkinson / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021
Chu han lin – See who jumps high
Mudskipper, Taiwan.
Photo: © Chu han lin / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021
David Eppley – Majestic and Graceful Bald Eagle
Bald Eagles will use the same nest for years, even decades, adding new material to it at the beginning and throughout the nesting season. Normally, they are highly skilled at snapping branches off of trees while in flight. Possibly tired from working nonstop all morning on a new nest, this particular Bald Eagle wasn’t showing its best form. Yes, sometimes they miss. Although this looks painful, and it might very well be, the eagle recovers with just a few sweeping wing strokes, and choses to rest a bit before making another lumber run.
Photo: © David Eppley / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021
Gurumoorthy K – The Green Stylist
Indian chameleon, Western Ghats.
Photo: © Gurumoorthy K / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021
Jakub Hodan – Treehugger
This Proboscis monkey could be just scratching its nose on the rough bark, or it could be kissing it. Trees play a big role in the lives of monkeys. Who are we to judge…
Photo: © Jakub Hodan / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021
Jan Piecha – Chinese whispers
The little raccoon cups are telling secrets to each other
Photo: © Jan Piecha / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021
Nicolas de Vaulx – How do you get that damn window open?
This raccoon spends his time trying to get into houses out of curiosity and perhaps also to steal food.
Photo: © Nicolas de Vaulx / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021
Pal Marchhart – Peekaboo
A young bear descending from a tree looks like he/she is playing hide and seek.
Photo: © Pal Marchhart / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021
Roland Kranitz – I got you
I spent my days in my usual “gopher place” and yet again, these funny little animals (Spermophile) haven’t belied their true nature.
Photo: © Roland Kranitz / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021
Main image: © Ken Jensen, © Jan Piecha, © Lea Scaddan, © Vicki Jauron / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021