Wildlife photography is often known for its dramatic scenes and powerful moments, but sometimes nature is simply funny. The 2025 Comedy Wildlife Photography People’s Choice Awards celebrate the lighter side of the animal world, highlighting perfectly timed shots that show animals being clumsy, expressive, and surprisingly relatable.

This year’s selected photos feel almost human. A bird proudly carrying more nesting material than it can handle, frogs posing in a way that looks straight out of a stage play, and an elephant peeking around a tree as if caught mid-game. These moments remind us that the natural world is not only beautiful but full of humor waiting to be noticed.

More info: Instagram | comedywildlifephoto.com | Facebook

Discover more in From Clumsy Birds To Dramatic Frogs, These 2025 Comedy Wildlife Photos Are Priceless (40 Pics)

Click here & follow us for more lists, facts, and stories.

#1

"Smile, You’re Being Photographed." By Valtteri Mulkahainen, Finland

Brown bear showing teeth with a funny expression in a natural setting, part of comedy wildlife photos collection.

When I was photographing bears, this one year old bear cub saw it and started smiling at me. Apparently he had already had to pose in front of photographers.

Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

The heart of this competition is its mix of fun and awareness. The images make us laugh right away, yet they also help people connect more deeply with wildlife. By showing animals in these charming, unexpected ways, the awards inspire empathy and encourage viewers to care about conservation in a simple, accessible way. Scroll down to enjoy the funniest moments captured in the wild this year.

RELATED:
    #2

    "The Choir" By Meline Ellwanger, USA

    Three young lions with mouths wide open in a comedy wildlife photo capturing playful animal behavior in the wild.

    A hilariously lucky moment I caught of these these three lions yawning at the same time.

    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    #3

    "Landing Gears Down" By Erkko Badermann, Finland

    A bird landing awkwardly on water surface, capturing a priceless moment in comedy wildlife photography 2025.

    This photograph came about as a hard-won victory of patience. I have been photographing Red-throated Loons for several years. I lie on the edge of a bond under a camouflage net and photograph their spring courtship displays from my hide. The ground is wet and cold. That morning, an unseasonable early-spring snowfall caught me by surprise, making photography almost impossible.

    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    #4

    "Headlock" By Warren Price, UK

    Two seabirds interacting with one bird appearing to squawk in a comedic wildlife photo from 2025 collection.

    These guillemots were nesting on a small rocky cliff ledge where space was at a premium. The nests all crammed in close together which isn’t a good recipe for being good neighbours, as guillemots are fiercely territorial.

    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    #5

    "Outdoor Smoking Zone" By Lars Beygang, Germany

    Mallard duck on a fence exhaling visible breath in a chilly morning in this 2025 comedy wildlife photo.

    During the spring months, I was commissioned to photograph the urban wildlife of a city near my hometown in Bavaria. After several early mornings by the pond, I decided to return once more to the same spot.

    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    #6

    "It Is Tough Being A Duck" By John Speirs, UK

    A clumsy duck floating on water with an amusing pose, featured in comedy wildlife photos capturing funny animal moments.

    This picture was taken on a very dull day, when the duck was just sitting on the surface of the sea loch a shaft of light broke through the clouds and light him up and he seemed to go into holiday mood.

    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    #7

    "Baptism Of The Unwilling Convert" By Grayson Bell, USA

    Two frogs in water with one clutching the other, showcasing dramatic and comedic wildlife behavior in nature photography.

    One morning I was hanging out with my camera along the edge of a pond near our home. I noticed 2 frogs fighting and took a bunch of shots of them. This photo captures two male Green frogs, which are native to Maine. They usually have greenish-brown on their backs, with dusky bars on their hind legs and a lighter underside.

    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    #8

    "Hornbill In A Hurry" By Geoff Martin, UK

    Hornbill in motion on sandy ground, capturing the humor and charm of comedy wildlife in a natural setting.

    I was in a hide in Zimanga, South Africa photographing white backed vultures or rather hoping to, when this southern yellow billed hornbill appeared and proceeded to position itself immediately in front of the hide obscuring any clear shots of the vultures.

    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    #9

    "Masquerading As An Arrow" By Magnus Berggren, Sweden

    Black bird in flight over water, captured in a comedy wildlife photo highlighting unique animal moments.

    The story about the image is that I was out looking for eagles this little arrow come blasting through the sky; it was a black woodpecker. As it tucked its wings under its body, creating the perfect illusion of sheer speed, I was lucky to get it in frame and also get a sharp image, because i was using a slower shutterspeed at the moment.

    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    #10

    "Bad Mouthing" By Hikkaduwa Liyanage Prasantha Vinod, Sri Lanka

    Two leopards interacting with playful expressions in a natural setting, showcasing comedy wildlife moments in 2025.

    These are two of three leopard siblings. Two female and one male. Here in the selected image the larger one is the male cub and the other is one of the female cubs.

    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    #11

    "Now Which Direction Is My Nest?" By Alison Tuck, UK

    Seagull carrying a large bundle of grass in its beak, showcasing comedy wildlife moments in nature’s daily life.

    A windy day on Bempton Cliffs during the nesting season.

    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    #12

    "Omg He’s At It Again!" By David Rice, USA

    Two cranes captured in a comedy wildlife moment, one standing and the other mid-dance on snowy ground.

    Crazy morning antics of the Red-Crowned Cranes.

    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    #13

    "I Just Can’t Wait To Be King" By Bret Saalwaechter, USA

    Group of lions on a rock displaying expressive faces in a comedy wildlife moment under clear sky in 2025.

    "I’ve always been fascinated by the complex social lives of lions, and there’s no better place to observe them than Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. I captured this image in September 2024, during the dry season, when dwindling food and water can heighten family tensions.

    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    #14

    "Fonzies Advertising" By Liliana Luca, Italy

    A clumsy-looking primate licking its hand in a comedic wildlife photo capturing funny animal moments.

    This moment happened after the tourists had left Nosy Komba (Madagascar). I stopped, letting the silence fall around me, and turned my attention to a group of crowned sifakas (Propithecus deckenii).

    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    #15

    "Go Away" By Annette Kirby, Australia

    Eagle with bright yellow beak and dramatic expression sitting in snow, a comedy wildlife photo capturing funny animal moments.

    In February 2025 I flew from my home in South Australia where the summer temperatures ranged from mid 20’s to mid-40 degrees Celsius to the island of Hokkadia in Japan, where temperatures were minus degrees, the coldest day being minus 18 Celsius.

    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    #16

    "Bad Hair Day!" By Christy Grinton, Canada

    Wet squirrel peeking from tree hole, captured in a priceless 2025 comedy wildlife photo showcasing humorous animal moments.

    For my image "Bad Hair Day" I was in a local park in downtown Victoria when I saw a grey blur run by. When I looked closer I saw a mother grey squirrel was relocating her babies to a new nest. The grass was dewy that morning so she was getting a wet tail as she ran through the grass. As she entered her new nest her tail was sticking out so when she turned around to leave, for a short second her head was covered by her wet tail.

    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    #17

    "Darling, Please Stop!" By Massimo Felici, Italy

    Two lions on grass, one shaking off water, captured in a comedic wildlife moment for 2025 comedy wildlife photos.

    During a photo safari in Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, we were following this pair of lions in love. Unfortunately, they were disturbed by a violent thunderstorm, which dampened their enthusiasm!

    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    #18

    "Great Hair Day" By David Fetters, UK

    Close-up of a bird with messy feathers covering its face, showcasing a funny moment in comedy wildlife photography.

    The subject of the photograph is an Amazonian Umbrellabird – Cephalopterus ornatus. I photographed it in a forest in the Pantanal in Brazil. It seemed to be unwell and unable to fly so contact was made with a vet in a town some distance from where I was and they came out and took it away for treatment – I hope it had a good outcome.

    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    #19

    "Flamingone" By Miles Astray, Canada

    Flamingo standing on white sand near water, captured in a comedy wildlife photo showcasing clumsy birds in 2025 collection.

    The picture shows a flamingo whose head is apparently missing, but I promise it’s there somewhere. In fact, the bird is just going about its morning routine at a Caribbean beach, head tucked beneath the torso to give the plumage a good cleaning.

    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    #20

    "Squirrel Airborne: Surrender Mode" By Stefan Cruysberghs, Belgium

    Flying squirrel captured mid-air in a comedic wildlife photo showcasing clumsy birds and dramatic frogs in 2025 collection.

    A few years ago, a simple wooden hide was available for rent in a forest near my home, known for its lively red squirrel population. I had visited the spot several times before, and eventually began experimenting with capturing squirrels mid-jump.

    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    #21

    "Hit The Dance Floor!" By Paula Rustemeier, Germany

    Three playful foxes on sandy ground captured in a comedic wildlife moment showcasing animal behavior for comedy wildlife photos 2025.

    This shot was taken quite at the beginning of my wildlife photography "journey". I always enjoyed nature, but usually only photographed my dog, until I observed foxes for an essay I wrote for biology lessons in school and decided I want to try to photograph and learn even more about foxes.

    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    See Also on Bored Panda
    #22

    "Relaxing In The Trees!" By Diana Rebman, USA

    Black gibbon relaxing in tree branches showcasing priceless comedy wildlife in a natural forest setting.

    This Yellow-cheeked Gibbon was just hanging out in the trees. Looks like he’s waiting for a beer to be served.

    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    #23

    All Smiles" By Chris Stanley, USA

    Close-up of a dragonfly perched on a dried plant, showcasing intricate wings in a comedy wildlife photo.

    Flame Skimmer Dragonfly lands on the stalk of an Aloe Vera plant and flashes a quick smile for the camera. I can only say that I didn’t have to travel far to capture this image since it was taken in my own backyard! It wasn’t until I saw this image on a larger screen that I noticed the happy expression on his face.

    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    #24

    "Peek A Boo" By Henry Szwinto, UK

    Elephant with flapping ears in a funny pose featured in comedy wildlife photos capturing amusing animal moments.

    A Sri Lankan Elephant playing peek a boo with his ears

    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    #25

    "Paint Me Like One Of Your Forest Girls" By Michael Stavrakakis, Australia

    Orangutan striking a playful pose on a tree in the forest, showcasing comedy wildlife in a natural setting.

    Steller Eagles are the heaviest eagles in the world, weighing up to 9kgs and with wingspans up to 2.5 metres. They can be found in northern Russia, northern Japan and Korea and it is estimated there are only about 4500 adults currently left.

    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    #26

    "Territorial Defence Operation" By Antoine Rezer, France

    Seagull mid-flight trailing water above eagle perched on rocky wildlife scene in comedy wildlife photos.

    After five weeks in north-eastern Greenland on a scientific mission, I am slowly getting back in touch with human civilisation by spending a week in Iceland. Driving along the edge of a fjord in north-western Iceland, I spot some gyrfalcons. I stop and watch them for a long time – there’s a whole family! My eye is drawn to a larger bird of prey, a white-tailed eagle. Amazing! It lands after making it clear to the falcons that he’s the boss.

    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    #27

    "The Frog Prince Of The Grape Vine" By Beate Ammer, Australia

    A green frog resting among grapevine leaves, showcasing a funny and dramatic moment in comedy wildlife photography.

    Meet the Frog Prince of my little garden — he’s been lazing around guarding my grape vine, waiting for a kiss, but I think he’s just here for the grapes. This charming amphibian seems to have mistaken the vine for his royal court, lounging among the plump fruit as if he’s the monarch of the orchard.

    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    #28

    "Battle Hug" By Jessica Emmett, Singapore

    Two dramatic lizards embracing in a comedic wildlife photo showcasing nature’s unexpected humor in 2025 comedy wildlife photos.

    I have limited mobility and often use a mobility scooter to do wildlife photography, so I often stick to my local park, Bishan-Ang Mo Kio park in Singapore. While out on a typical overcast morning at the park, my attention snapped towards two monitors locked in battle in the distance.

    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    #29

    "High Five" By Mark Meth-Cohn, UK

    Young gorilla standing on one leg with a raised hand in a green outdoor setting, comedy wildlife capture.

    This photograph was taken during a trip to Rwanda earlier this year, where we spent four unforgettable days trekking through the misty Virunga Mountains in search of the gorilla families that call them home.

    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    #30

    "Smiler" By Jenny Stock, Australia

    Colorful fish peeking out from coral showing a priceless moment in 2025 comedy wildlife photos collection.

    Whilst on a scuba dive in the Philippines, this little fish kept popping its head out of its home, a hole in the patterned coral. I took a few photos and I loved its cheeky face smiling back at me. What an expressive looking face!

    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    #31

    "The Wig" By Yann Chauvette, Canada

    A wild tapir covered in plants blending into a yellow water plant background in a comedy wildlife photo.

    The Greater One-Horned Rhino feasting on aquatic fine food, diving underwater and coming back up with a new wig made out of his delicious meal.

    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    See Also on Bored Panda
    #32

    "The Shoulders Of Giants" By Andrew Mortimer, Australia

    Two frogs in a close-up comedy wildlife photo capturing dramatic and playful animal behavior in a natural setting.

    If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giant [frog] s. In a bore casing on a minesite tenement around 2 hours drive from Leonora, there lives a colony of frogs. Slightly too short to see over the PVC casing, they make do wherever they can.

    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    #33

    "Aaaaaww Mum!" By Mark Meth-Cohn, UK

    Two gorillas sharing a tender moment in the wild, captured in a priceless comedy wildlife photo.

    This photograph was taken during a trip to Rwanda earlier this year, where we spent four unforgettable days trekking through the misty Virunga Mountains in search of the gorilla families that call them home. On this particular day, we came across a large family group gathered in a forest clearing, the adults were calmly foraging while the youngsters were enthusiastically playing.

    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    #34

    "Steller Eagles Practice Kung Fu Tango" By Michael Lane, UK

    Two Steller eagles with wings spread on icy surface, captured in a dramatic comedy wildlife moment.

    This image was captured in the Tanjung Puting National Park in southern Borneo and features Sandra, the oldest known orangutan living in the area.

    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    #35

    "Pied Piper Of Penguins" By Ralph Robinson, USA

    Sheep and penguins standing together on grassy field under cloudy sky in a comedy wildlife photo.

    Our last day of shooting in the Falkland Islands, after a week of island hopping, was at Volunteer Point, a headland on the east coast of East Falkland, northeast of Stanley. It received its name in 1815, when the sealing ship Volunteer left a boat’s crew there to collect seal skins while it went in search of opportunities elsewhere.

    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    #36

    "Welcome To Zen Lemur Yoga Course!" By Andrey Giljov, Russian Federation

    Two lemurs striking yoga-like poses on a rock in a comedy wildlife photo capturing dramatic animal moments

    Instructor Lemur demonstrates perfect enthusiasm, reaching high to embrace the universe. Student Lemur contemplates whether enlightenment is worth this much effort before breakfast. Flexibility? Optional. Dramatic flair? Mandatory.

    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    #37

    "Oh My!" By Laurent Nilles, Luxemburg

    Baby monkey sitting on the ground facing an elephant’s legs, captured in a comedy wildlife photo from 2025 collection.

    A young baboon looking up as an elephant approaches, unsure whether to stand his ground or to run away. He decided to flee shortly after the picture was taken.

    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    #38

    "Monkey Circus" By Kalin Botev, Bulgaria

    Three playful monkeys climbing and jumping on a tree branch in a comedy wildlife photo at sunset.

    My wife, Nellie and I were on our honeymoon in the Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, known for its vast landscapes and its huge elephant herds. We were there right in the beginning of the rainy season and witnessed how nature wakes up after the first rains in many months.

    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    #39

    "Stretch Your Leg" By Peter Reinold, USA

    Close-up of a yellow grasshopper stretching its leg on a textured surface in a comedy wildlife photo for 2025 collection.

    Originally, I was just planning on taking a road trip through the Everglades on my day off to revisit known locations to combine them with my new passion for wildlife photography. When I got to this spot, I was planning to shoot Gators as they used to hang out in the area and were easy to spot from the boardwalk.

    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    #40

    "What Do You Mean I Need To See A Dentist?" By Bingqian Gao, UK

    Smiling pufferfish underwater with a clear blue background, capturing a priceless moment of comedy wildlife.

    I spotted this porcupinefish in the shallow waters of the Sea of Cortez. Among the group, she stood out immediately – her mouth stayed open, giving her a comic look of perpetual shock. On closer inspection, I realised she couldn’t close it at all; a thick layer of algae had even begun to grow inside.


    Nikon Comedy Wildlife Report

    Add New Image This post is a community curated image gallery Add Image
    Add New Image

    Add Your Photo To This List

    Please use high-res photos without watermarks

    Upload Photo

    Not your original work? Add source

    Publish