See 15 Funny Animal Photos
Did you know that the way you kick off the weekend is how the whole next workweek will go? So a smile is non‑negotiable. In honor of World Animal Day, we’ve compiled a selection of funny shots from the finalists of the Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards. Photographers from around the world caught animals in the most amusing poses and expressions: from a monkey waiting for a peck on the cheek to a turtle that could easily become a hero of the series «Slovo patsana» (teen crime drama) (18+). It’s impossible to look at them and stay stone‑faced.
Andrea Zampatti, «Laughing Dormouse»
Andrea Zampatti conveyed that exact feeling of the first day of vacation. Tomorrow and the day after you don’t have to go to work, you can sleep as long as you like — all that’s left is to find a comfy spot. Judging by the look of it, this hamster had no trouble choosing the perfect flower as a little bed.
Or maybe the fluffy lady finally received flowers from her hamster. She had dreamed of it for so long, and now her joy knows no bounds. True, hauling even one bud back to the burrow won’t be easy.
Harry Walker, «Oh, God!»
American photographer Harry Walker made an astonishing find. He encountered an otter who was shaken to the core. Perhaps she saw the bill for all the water used during her bath. In any case, her reaction was such that it will take her a while to recover. We understand her perfectly.
Mark Fitzpatrick, «Turtle Terry Showing the Middle Finger»
The odds that a turtle can tell you to get lost are low — but never zero. Photographer Mark Fitzpatrick was diving off Lady Elliot Island, Australia, and, apparently, was photographing the locals without their permission. One of the models was extremely displeased. Still, it’s good that they parted on a positive note.
— «I hope “Turtle Terry” can prompt more people to seize the moment and think about how much our incredible wildlife depends on us — and what we can do to help it,» the photographer commented.
Brigitte Alcalay-Marcon, «Just a Kiss»
This is about how it feels when you quarreled with your loved one yesterday, and today, before leaving for work, he for some reason calls you by your name and not “bunny, sunshine, sweetheart.” And he doesn’t seem inclined to step over and give a goodbye peck right here on the cheek.
Mark Schocken, «Go to Your Room, Little Bro»
At first glance we thought we were witnessing an evening when an owlet boasts to his brother about his achievements and the brother praises him — but real life turned out differently. According to photographer Mark Schocken, he more likely witnessed a family spat.
— «Two great horned owlets were fooling around in Tierra Verde, in west‑central Florida. The mother owl briefly left the nest in the palm to take a break from these hyperactive newly hatched chicks. Although they were having fun, in this photo it looks like a quarrel between brothers,» Mark Schocken shared.
Sergey Savvi, «The Scream»
Woke up in a panic: “I’m late, I’m fired, it’s the end of the world!” — that’s exactly what this lemur seems to be yelling. But there’s no need to worry — just look around: quiet, birds chirping, it’s Saturday. The next frame would clearly show the realization dawning on him: no one fired him, the alarm just mistakenly decided today was Monday.
Paul Goldstein, «Leopard»
Paul shot an astonishing leopard in Kenya. He was frightened by three brethren hiding off‑camera. If we didn’t know that, we could easily think the animal, after watching people, had decided to walk on two legs.
Philipp Stahr, «Sweet Lips for Kisses!»
This image was made in Curaçao, in the Caribbean. Boxfish usually aren’t fond of being photographed and, seeing a camera, tend to turn away, but Philipp Stahr got lucky. Apparently he met a beauty who had just left the cosmetologist and wanted to show off her bewitching lips as soon as possible.
— «I tried to swim about 0.5 m from the fish and not show any interest. At the same time the camera wasn’t in front of me, but down on my chest and pointed downward. When the right moment came, I turned it 90° forward and took the shot, hoping the fish would be in focus. I didn’t expect her beautiful lips to be so close!» — Philipp Stahr shared the story behind the photo.
Bard D’Arpino, «Eastern Chipmunk Stocking Up on Food»
There’s a reason for the rule: «When I’m eating, I don’t hear or speak.» Apparently this chipmunk forgot it and heard the question: «Aren’t you going to burst from that much corn?» Stuffed cheeks didn’t let him immediately say everything he thought about such a remark — but even one look said plenty.
Delphine Casimir, «Dandy of the Tropical Forest»
Delphine came from Belgium to Bali to photograph monkeys, but he didn’t expect that for the sake of a successful shot he would have to feel like a lonely beauty at a bar. If all the monkeys he met could talk, he would definitely more than once have heard: «Vacationing here alone? Are your parents, by any chance, bakers — otherwise where did they get such a rosy little pie?»
— «It’s a crazy place where the monkeys are kings! Sometimes they put on a show, sometimes they climb onto you to look for fleas, or steal a piece of the cookie you’re trying to eat,» — the photographer said, describing the monkey forest in Bali.
Adrian Slazok, «Everyone Can Fly»
Are we looking at a contestant in a new season of the show «Big Girls» (TV show) (16+) — only now with the subtitle “wild”? Sorry to disappoint this seal: nothing like that has been produced yet, so his efforts won’t be fully appreciated.
Christian-Hargasser, «Hanging Freely»
When you’ve already gone to bed but realize you just can’t find a comfortable pose. Something’s off on your right side, and on your left something starts to press. However long the king of the savannah grumbled in the same way, he still found the perfect spot and position. That’s exactly how the author of the shot, Christian, saw him in the evening.
— «We were already heading back to camp when this young lion jumped onto the trunk of an old tree,» — the photographer recalled.
Jacek Stankiewicz, «Argument»
Parents are always the same, whether birds, mammals, or reptiles. Polish photographer Jacek Stankiewicz proved it. Try as he might, the young fledgling couldn’t convince his parents to let him chirp with friends.
— «I caught this scene while watching birds in the Bialowieza Forest in Poland. The young greenfinch was ultimately defeated by his parents, but from time to time the birds kept looking as if they were arguing,» — Jacek wrote.
Pratick Mondal, «Look Right, Bro»
Monkeys in India have long lorded it over everyone, and this one seems ready to share her thoughts. She may be surprised by a deer’s sudden appearance on her turf — or that the photographer spent so much time nearby and still hasn’t treated her to a banana. In any case, her expression says she’s ready to file a collective complaint and show them what’s what.
