Funny Victory Images from the 2024 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

# Revealing the Amusement of Nature: Champions of the 2024 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

When thinking of wildlife photography, the initial associations might include stunning vistas, colorful creatures, and scenes that highlight the magnificence of the natural realm. Nevertheless, a more unconventional category is rapidly capturing attention — wildlife moments that tickle our funny bones. The *Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards* has once again illustrated that nature is filled with unexpected laughter. The 2024 edition showcased playful, quirky, and outright amusing snapshots of wildlife from across the globe.

This year’s competition, marking the 10th anniversary of the awards, saw a record-setting **9,000 submissions**, celebrating a burgeoning community of photographers skilled in capturing humorous animal behaviors. From a cheeky squirrel to a hippo resembling a fresh salon visit, the contest not only provided chuckles — it also highlighted the necessity of conserving these delightful creatures and their ecosystems.

## **”Stuck Squirrel” Takes Center Stage**

The coveted **Overall Winner** accolade was awarded to Italian photographer **Milko Marchetti** for his remarkable shot titled *Stuck Squirrel*. The image was snapped in the tranquil Podere Pantaleone Park in Ravenna, Italy, portraying a squirrel comically frozen in mid-action. It appears humorously ensnared in the hollow of a tree, while it was, in fact, maneuvering into the cavity, balancing with its back legs.

Marchetti, a dedicated nature photographer since his early years, recalls the moment the shutter was pressed, *“This photo made a significant impression on me and brought me immense joy. It continues to elicit laughter at photography clubs and slideshow events I conduct.”* His prize includes an extraordinary safari adventure in the iconic **Masai Mara** region of Kenya, where his storytelling through photography will surely thrive.

Aside from its comedic appeal, Marchetti’s image also emphasizes the infrequency of squirrel sightings in the **Po Delta Regional Park**, underscoring the significance of safeguarding wildlife habitats.

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## **Celebrated Images Across Various Categories**

The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards honored outstanding talent across diverse categories, showcasing moments of hilarity from insects to amphibians. Here are the victors and notable images that captivated attention (and our laughter).

### **1. Insect Winner: “Mantis Flamenca” by Jose Miguel Gallego Molina**
A dancing mantis caused quite the commotion—literally. **Jose Miguel Gallego**, who encountered the lively insect while driving near his local swamp, remarked, *“You can picture the expressions of bystanders seeing me sprawled on the roadside with my camera.”* The mantis poses theatrically like a performer, adding a wonderfully dramatic touch.

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### **2. People’s Choice Winner: “Shake Ruffle Rattle and Roll” by Tapani Linnanmäki**
A white-tailed eagle dramatically fluffing its feathers on icy terrain captured the public’s affection. Captured with the Nikon Z9’s autocapture capability, the eagle’s hilariously disheveled demeanor formed an instant comedic classic.

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### **3. Bird Winner: “Whiskered Tern Crash on Landing” by Damyan Petkov**
Even the most graceful beings are not exempt from clumsy moments. Petkov’s snapshot of a whiskered tern faceplanting onto a rock during landing attempts won the top spot for the bird category this year.

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### **4. Reptile Winner: “Frog in a Balloon” by Eberhard Ehmke**
This unique image blends creativity with comedy. A frog, enveloped in a water bubble resembling a balloon, appears either astonished — or perhaps resigned — to its peculiar situation.

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### **5. Nikon Young Photographer Winner (25 and Under): “Awkward Smiley Frog” by Kingston Tam**
Kingston Tam’s picture of a wide-eyed, cheerful frog shone brightly in the youth division. A wildlife science student and astrophotography fan, Tam expressed his ambition to use visuals to raise awareness for reptiles and amphibians, illustrating that conservation can be conveyed with a grin.

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### **6. Aquatic Animals Winner: “Unexpected Role Swap” by Przemyslaw Jakubczyk**
This humorous image features a fish seemingly “hunting” a bald eagle — humorously flipping the predator-prey scenario in the most amusing manner.

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### **7. Nikon Junior (16 and Under): “Smooching Owlets” by Sarthak Ranganadhan**
Sarthak Ranganadhan’s playful shot of two affectionate owlets, under the scrutinizing (and embarrassed) watch of their parents, melted hearts and provided families everywhere with a reason to chuckle.

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## **Highly Commended: Moments of Humor and Humanity**

In addition to the winners, numerous other submissions earned well-deserved accolades,