Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2026 Finalists Announced
The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards revealed its 40 finalists for 2026, featuring a laughing hare, a water buffalo with a fancy bonnet, and a very angry goldcrest from a pool of over 10,000 entries submitted across 112 countries. Photographers are competing for a top prize safari with Alex Walker’s Serian in the Masai Mara, alongside Nikon Z6III and Nikon Z50II cameras, with winners set to be announced on December 8 at an Awards Night in London.
Tom Sullam Details the Global Growth and Conservation Mission
The competition began quietly on the vast plains of the Serengeti as a small effort to raise awareness for wildlife conservation, according to competition co-founder Tom Sullam. “The competition is now truly global, and a decade or so on, we want to make it even bigger, funnier, and more far-reaching than ever,” Sullam stated, noting that humor creates empathy toward wildlife, which drives behavioral change for the better.
Andy Rouse Captures Doris the Water Buffalo in Sri Lanka
Among Upworthy’s top 17 favorite selections is an entry titled “Doris with her hat” by Andy Rouse from the United Kingdom. Photographed in Sri Lanka, the image features a water buffalo lifting her head in a way that creates the distinct impression of a fancy bonnet. The collection also includes Carolyn Moore’s brown hare entry from Wiltshire, titled “Oops – I think I just parped”, which captures an intimate moment of a grooming routine in long grass.
Charles Janson and Cliff Fawcett Document Bear and Elephant Humor
Charles Janson submitted “Bears Sharing a Joke” from Chinitna Bay, Alaska, featuring two subadult male brown bears engaged in play-fighting.
Public Voting and the December Winner Announcement
Judges will review the final 40 photographs over the coming weeks to determine the winners. Meanwhile, the Sterna People’s Choice Award vote is currently open on the official competition website, giving the public an opportunity to vote for their favorite finalist and win a £500 prize. All competition winners will be officially announced at the London event on December 8.
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