24 November, 2018
Last year, we introduced you to some of the funniest animal pictures captured on film. It is that time of year again, and the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards are back!
Most of the popular animal photos on the internet and social media show animals doing funny things. The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards was created with this idea in mind. It combines the best animal photography with comedy.
The competition is open to anyone. Organizers say it is a “light-hearted" way to show wildlife in funny situations, while also helping to bring attention to animal causes.
Thousands of photographers from around the world sent in images to be considered. The entries were cut to 41 finalists. This year, winners were chosen in eight different award categories.
One photo, by American Mary McGowan, won in three categories, including the award for Overall Winner. The image is called "Caught in the Act." It shows a squirrel appearing shocked and sitting on its back legs, with its front feet extended and mouth wide open.
We have put together some of the other winners and finalists for you to enjoy.
Hard day
Highly Commended: 'Bear with a Sore Head' - Danielle D'Ermo - Alaska USA. (Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards)
Splits
Highly Commended: 'Splits' - Geert Weggen - Sweden. (Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards)
Rhino or peacock?
Highly Commended: 'Rhinopeacock' - Kallol Mukherjee - Gorumara, India. (Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards)
Tango time
Highly Commended: 'Tango' - Michael Watts - USA. (Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards)
Bring it on
Highly Commended: 'So There!'- Barney Koszalka - USA. (Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards)
Nature calls
Junior Category Video: 'Nature Calls' - Arshdeep Singh - India. (Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards)
Listen to me
Highly Commended: 'Drive Safe!' - Jonathan Irish - Alaska, USA. (Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards)
Slow dance
Highly Commended: 'Martian Tango' - Sergey Savvi - Russia - Kaeng Krachan. (Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards)
Happy shark
Think Tank Under the Sea Category Award: 'Smiling Shark' - Tanya Houppermans - Rhode Island, USA. (Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards)
Photog bear
Highly Commended: 'PhotograBear' - Roie Galitz - Svalbard, Norway. (Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards)
I'm watching you
Spectrum Photo Creatures of the Air Award: 'Peekaboo' - Shane Keena - USA. (Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards)
Mom home early
Amazing Internet Portfolio Award: 'Mother Home Early' - Valterri Mulkahainen - Martinselkonan, Finland. (Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards)
Take that!
Highly Commended: 'This is Sparta' - Sergey Savvi - Russia. (Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards)
If these leave you wanting more, the organization has a whole book that includes many additional photos. The competition helps support the Born Free Foundation, which seeks to protect threatened wildlife.
The 2018 Comedy Wildlife Photographer of the Year receives a special award created by disabled artists in Tanzania. The winner also gets a free trip to Kenya to take part in a wildlife safari.
I’m Bryan Lynn.
Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor.
Tell us which photos are your favorites! Write to us in the Comments section, and visit testbig.com.
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Words in This Story
comedy – n. entertainment intended to make people laugh
category – n. group of things or a similar kind
safari – n. a journey, usually to Africa, to see or hunt wild animals