Update: The winning image for the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards has been officially announced - and it's a real doozy! Shot by Sarah Skinner, the amazing image 'Grab life by the…!' has been awarded the top honor.
Sarah said, "It certainly warms my heart to know that this image will spread some laughter and happiness around the world. I am happy to report that this lioness continues to thrive in the pride, having seen her again in October this year. I can only hope and encourage everyone, as a collective, to each do our part in the conservation of all wildlife species, so that future generations can enjoy them… Long may lions walk the plains…"
ORIGINAL STORY:
If you thought about it long and hard enough, it's likely that you'd find plenty to frown about in today's world. This is why we like to enjoy a good laugh whenever we can. Thankfully, the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards has delivered this opportunity in spades.
Having recently revealed the finalists for this year's competition, there's plenty of comic relief to give you a good chuckle. Forget noble stags backlit by an autumnal sunset, or owls captured mid-flight as they swoop down on their prey. From an adorably shocked otter, to a pair of brightly colored birds seemingly caught mid-argument, these images prove that nature isn't always as dignified as it might like you to think.
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However, the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards isn't all fun and games (although it certainly fulfills this quota!). Part of the competition's raison d'être is conservation. On their website, they say, "None of us are perfect, all of us at some point will fly somewhere, drive somewhere, cook something, burn something and probably provide some direct input into the general warming of the globe. By entering this competition, it gives [us] the chance to do a little bit for conservation."
So how can we do our bit? Well, the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards has a few suggestions.
The first is that we should shop responsibly by eschewing products that have palm oil or are un-recyclable. The second is to limit water use at home by having shorter showers, watering the garden less and, er, not flushing the toilet if you've only had a pee (just remember, it's for the planet!).
The competition also points people towards the Born Free website, an international wildlife charity that works to ensure all wild animals, whether living in captivity or in the wild, are treated with compassion and respect. To find out more about this worthy organization, you can view its website here.
Alternatively, you can pick up a collection of this year's funniest photos in the 'Comedy Wildlife Photography Award Volume 3' book, which is crammed full of over 100 rib-tickling images.
Until then, take a gander through these incredible photos to give yourself a good chuckle in the name of wildlife conservation.
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