The Funniest Wildlife Photos This Year

https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/national-international/nikon-comedy-wildlife-photography-awards-finalists-2026/4164767/ Need a laugh? Here are some of the funniest wildlife photos this year From an Elvis-like crocodile to a bird that looks ready for a ballet performance, the 2026 Nikon Comedy Wildlife finalists deliver plenty of laughs. By Alexis Garcia and Tejal WakchourePublished October 10, 2026 • Updated on October 10, 2026 at 3:11 pm https://vip-media.nbcnewyork.com/2026/10/Diego-Perez_Sexy-mantis.jpg?w=1100 A tiny green mantis peeks over a leaf during a night walk in an area of Cusco, Peru, that is still waiting to be protected. (Diego Perez/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards) https://vip-media.nbcnewyork.com/2026/10/Udo-Harms_Little-Godzilla.jpg?w=1100 This squirrel had taken a bit too much in its mouth – but with a few firm bites, the greenery was made to fit. (Udo Harms/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards) https://vip-media.nbcnewyork.com/2026/10/Barbara-Seiberl-Stark_Push-Over.jpg?w=1100 A pride of young lions playing in the riverbed of Ruckomechi in Zimbabwe.(Barbara Seiberl-Stark/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards) https://vip-media.nbcnewyork.com/2026/10/Carolyn-Moore_Oops-I-think-I-just-Parped.jpg?w=1100 This relaxed hare is going about his activities totally relaxed. (Carolyn Moore/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards) https://vip-media.nbcnewyork.com/2026/10/Charles-Janson_Bears-Sharing-a-Laugh.jpg?w=1100 Two subadult male Brown Bears play-fighting to prepare them to engage in real fights with adult males. (Charles Janson/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards) https://vip-media.nbcnewyork.com/2026/10/Eigil-B-Jensen_Fish-headed-bird.jpg?w=1100 An anhinga that had caught a fish, unfortunately (or luckily) penetrating the fish with its beak during the catch. (Eigil B Jensen/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards) https://vip-media.nbcnewyork.com/2026/10/Hannah-Deitl_Cheeky-Little-Elephant.jpg?w=1100 This cheeky little elephant is messing around with his friend in South Africa. (Hannah Deitl/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards) https://vip-media.nbcnewyork.com/2026/10/Homi-Sahana_The-Handstand.jpg?w=1100 This female spent much of the morning perching herself on different vantage points in search of her cub. (Homi Sahana/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards) https://vip-media.nbcnewyork.com/2026/10/Ka-Chun-Jacky_Resting-Owl-Face.jpg?w=1100 This little owl flew silently and perched on a branch in front of the photographer before it started to sing in Nanling National Forest Park in China. (Ka Chun Jacky/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards) https://vip-media.nbcnewyork.com/2026/10/Kevin_Lohman_Are-You-Kidding-Me.jpg?w=1100 A young Great Horned Owl had barely settled onto its perch before a protective squirrel launched a surprise aerial tackle, knocking it into the grass below. (Kevin Lohman/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards) https://vip-media.nbcnewyork.com/2026/10/kyo-chen_A-Very-Pressured-Spadefish.jpg?w=1100 In the waters of Dumaguete, Philippines, a spadefish swims just ahead of a giant whale shark, wearing an expression as if an overwhelming pressure is closing in from behind. (Kyo Chen/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards) https://vip-media.nbcnewyork.com/2026/10/Natalie-Veekmans_This-is-my-best-side.jpg?w=1100 Two Belgian beavers who have clearly decided that humans are no reason to interrupt their daily routine and they even seemed happy to pose for the camera. (Natalie Veekmans/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards) https://vip-media.nbcnewyork.com/2026/10/Paolo-Torre_Elvis.jpg?w=1100 This caiman emerged from the water in an area with a lot of floating vegetation and part of it remained on its head, resembling a 1950s rock and roll hairstyle. (Paolo Torre/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards) https://vip-media.nbcnewyork.com/2026/10/Robert-Nairn_Ballet-Dancer.jpg?w=1100 This image was taken in Dumfriesshire, Scotland with a Nikon z8 and 100-400 mm lens. (Robert Nairn/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards) https://vip-media.nbcnewyork.com/2026/10/Rosie-Barrett_For-The-Gram.jpg?w=1100 A family with 3 playful yearlings climbing up and down the trees stop for just a moment in this perfect pose. (Rosie Barrett/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards) https://vip-media.nbcnewyork.com/2026/10/ScottSuriano_Morning-Calisthenics.jpg?w=1100 No rest days for this furry apex predator as she is puts in the sweat equity to get herself ready for the upcoming summer season. (Scott Suriano/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards) https://vip-media.nbcnewyork.com/2026/10/Subi_Sridharan_Hair-Check-Before-the-Family-Photo.jpg?w=1100 One meerkat insists on giving a last-minute grooming inspection while the others are trying their best to look respectable. (Subi Sridharan/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards) https://vip-media.nbcnewyork.com/2026/10/Tapani-Linnanmaki_Fashion-fades_Feather-coats-are-forever.jpg?w=1100 The water on the ice doesn't seem to bother the sea eagle, which approaches with the same confident stride year after year. (Tapani Linnanmäki/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards) https://vip-media.nbcnewyork.com/2026/10/Thong-Duy-Vu_Out-of-Water.jpg?w=1100 On a gentle sunlit afternoon, a little sunbird excitedly set off for a five-star spa deep in the forest. (Thong Duy Vu/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards)