Lighten Up, Earthlings

Photo: Julie Hunt

Nature photography awards have long celebrated the beauty and wonder the planet offers us. That’s cool and all, but there’s a new contest in town that celebrates a different quality of the natural world—that animals are a bit absurd. This year photographer Paul Joynson-Hicks has launched the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards to show “the funny side of the majestic creatures we love to photograph and protect.” While providing comic relief for a world in need of a good laugh, the competition is also raising awareness for the Born Free Foundation, an international wildlife group. Check out the winning images below.

First Place:

Photo: Julian Rad

Silver Runner-Up:

Photo: William Richardson

Bronze Runner-Up:

Photo: Oli Dreike

Highly Commended:

Photo: Alison Buttigieg

Photo: Charlie Davidson

Photo: Graham McGeorge

Photo: Marc Moi

Photo: Megan Lorenz

Photo: Tony Dilger

Photo: Yuzuru Masuda

Photo: Julian Rad

Photo: Mohammed Alnaser

onEarth provides reporting and analysis about environmental science, policy, and culture. All opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of NRDC. Learn more or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.