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How many times have you scrolled through breathtaking wildlife photography shots and told yourself “challenge accepted”? Well, it turns out it’s not so easy to take that pitch-perfect shot.

Wild animals⁠, they move. A camera⁠, it wobbles. A hand⁠, it shakes. And weather⁠, it’s always a mystery. This is the combination you need to get a spectacularly terrible wildlife pic. In fact, some of the entries are so bad they've made their way into the Crap Wildlife Photography group on Facebook. Here are some of the best-failed shots that may make you think twice about pressing that capture button any time soon.

#2

I Was In The Middle Of A Zoom When I Noticed This Bastard

I Was In The Middle Of A Zoom When I Noticed This Bastard

Crap wildlife photography Report

#3

Timed My Shot Perfectly. *sigh*

Timed My Shot Perfectly. *sigh*

Crap wildlife photography Report

Bored Panda contacted Marina Cano, an award-winning wildlife photographer and Canon ambassador who told us what it takes to capture wildlife like a pro. Marina’s work has been on the covers of National Geographic, and in 2015 she was a finalist of the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year contest.

With so many funny photos of wildlife and animals surfing around the internet, one cannot help but wonder what makes it so difficult to capture that golden shot. “It lies in how unpredictable the animals can be,” explained Marina, “but that’s also the most exciting thing about capturing the one perfectly timed photo.”

#4

Didn’t Know I Was Playing The Sims

Didn’t Know I Was Playing The Sims

Crap wildlife photography Report

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#5

I Went Out To The Balcony To Photograph The Birds, But Instead Photographed A Fish...

I Went Out To The Balcony To Photograph The Birds, But Instead Photographed A Fish...

Crap wildlife photography Report

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james_fox1984 avatar
Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Omg I am an idiot. I was thinking how the hell did a fish get up in the air and then I realised it is the bird but the wings are out of view.

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#6

Tried To Get A Spread Wings Shot...

Tried To Get A Spread Wings Shot...

Crap wildlife photography Report

According to Marina, the most important thing to know before taking a camera is that “whatever happens in the day you will come back home happy to be in the wild.” On top of that, you need to be passionate, because in this case “you won’t blame anything and just enjoy it.” And how many times have we blamed the wobbly camera, crappy weather, and bad light?

A day in the life of a wildlife photography professional looks “more or less like a normal job,” except when you shoot in the bush. “The days in the bush make this job the most enjoyable profession on Earth.” Marina said she wakes up at around 4:00 and she’s happy to know “I have the rest of the daylight to spend in nature, to be witness, and to expect, if lucky, to capture the most extraordinary action out there.”

#7

Realizing I’d Made A Mistake

Realizing I’d Made A Mistake

Crap wildlife photography Report

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meyowmix avatar
Colin L
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A great photo to bring to the ER so they can give you the correct anti-venom, and laugh at yet another utterly avoidable accident.

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#9

When You Have An Encounter With A Rare Predator But Get Photobombed By A Magpie

When You Have An Encounter With A Rare Predator But Get Photobombed By A Magpie

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mollyloveswayne avatar
Molly Block
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The real question though is, is that predator sighting you or that magpie? I'd be worried....

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In wildlife photography, nature dictates everything. That means that in order to get that picture, you need practice. But some things should be inherent to an animal and wildlife photographer. You need to be able to keep silent, stay still for long periods of time. Remember that nature is their home, and you’re the guest.

You should also learn to keep your eyes open for every little thing. Animals living in the wild have adapted to their environments extremely well. Taking a nice shot usually takes days of hard work and dedication, so you need to be patient.

We previously wrote about the photographer who took a perfect shot of a kingfisher after 4,200 hours and 720,000 attempts. This award-winning shot of an eagle also took Norwegian photographer Audun Rikardsen 3 years of wait. So, yeah, we are talking years of wait in the pro game.

#10

Courtesy Of My Dad And His Ancient Phone... Little Owl Eating Lunch

Courtesy Of My Dad And His Ancient Phone... Little Owl Eating Lunch

Crap wildlife photography Report

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ruthmayfly avatar
Ruth Mayfly
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The poor thing looks so tired and muddy. I want to take it home and give it a bath and blow dry it into a perfect fluffy ball (I do know it wouldn't appreciate any of that, don't worry)

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#11

A Most Majestic Tree

A Most Majestic Tree

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2025mbellis avatar
Draco Malfoy
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And here we have a majestic eagle...... wow look at this fine tree.

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#13

When Poles Fly

When Poles Fly

Crap wildlife photography Report

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bagladyele avatar
EA
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

George George, George of the jungle. Watch out for that tree!

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#14

Took A Photo Of A Drill

Took A Photo Of A Drill

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#15

Grasshopper

Grasshopper

Crap wildlife photography Report

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Molly Block
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Playtime for kitty. This is a great shot. Look at his face! He's having so much fun!

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#16

This Handfeeding The Birds Was Going Great Until He Looked Right At Me And I Realized His Face Was Actually Kinda Scary And He Looked Pretty Pissed Off!

This Handfeeding The Birds Was Going Great Until He Looked Right At Me And I Realized His Face Was Actually Kinda Scary And He Looked Pretty Pissed Off!

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#17

I Got Distracted By The Frog In The Back And Lost Focus But To Be Entirely Honest I Think National Geographic Should Use This Picture As Their Cover.

I Got Distracted By The Frog In The Back And Lost Focus But To Be Entirely Honest I Think National Geographic Should Use This Picture As Their Cover.

Crap wildlife photography Report

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lara_l_smith avatar
Lara Smith
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What kind of setting are they in? It makes the frogs look as big as cats!

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#20

The Pinnacle Of My Wildlife Photography Career

The Pinnacle Of My Wildlife Photography Career

Crap wildlife photography Report

#22

I'm Not Sure Why I Ever Thought It Was A Good Idea To Take A Picture Of The Sheep In The Dark, But It Ended Up Being The Stuff That Nightmares Are Made Of.

I'm Not Sure Why I Ever Thought It Was A Good Idea To Take A Picture Of The Sheep In The Dark, But It Ended Up Being The Stuff That Nightmares Are Made Of.

Crap wildlife photography Report

#24

Doe In Background Was Taking A Crap, Just To Top It Off

Doe In Background Was Taking A Crap, Just To Top It Off

Crap wildlife photography Report

#25

Didn’t Know How Funny This Was Until I Sent It To My Daughter...

Didn’t Know How Funny This Was Until I Sent It To My Daughter...

Crap wildlife photography Report

#26

This Freaky Flying Ghost Child Is Actually A Blurred Great Blue Heron

This Freaky Flying Ghost Child Is Actually A Blurred Great Blue Heron

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#30

'you Spin Me Right Round, Baby, Right Round.' Low Light + The Wrong Camera Setting = Guess The Animal. Nb No Animals Were Hurt In The Taking Of This Shot.. It Landed Safely On My Patio

'you Spin Me Right Round, Baby, Right Round.' Low Light + The Wrong Camera Setting = Guess The Animal. Nb No Animals Were Hurt In The Taking Of This Shot.. It Landed Safely On My Patio

Crap wildlife photography Report

#31

Blurry And Screaming - A Mood

Blurry And Screaming - A Mood

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#37

I Present The Mighty, Yet Gentle, Caribbean Manatee.

I Present The Mighty, Yet Gentle, Caribbean Manatee.

Crap wildlife photography Report

#38

This Cougar Was So Close I Was Able To Get A Picture Of It!!!

This Cougar Was So Close I Was Able To Get A Picture Of It!!!

Crap wildlife photography Report

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janinesteam avatar
Janine B.
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cougar? That's clearly the owl from above. Who do you think you can fool, eh?

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Note: this post originally had 76 images. It’s been shortened to the top 38 images based on user votes.