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Wildlife just got a whole lot wilder and a lot more entertaining. The Nikon 2026 Comedy Wildlife Awards are back for 2026, bringing the laughs with a special treat: 17 never-before-seen outtakes from last year’s 2025 contest. Picture mischievous chimps up to no good, birds frozen in those perfectly awkward situations, and animals making faces you’d swear were straight out of a sitcom. It’s nature, but with a sense of humor.
But it’s not just about the laughs; there’s a story behind every shot. These outtakes show that the best moments often don’t make the final cut. They’re spontaneous, genuine, and impossible to forget. Now, they’re out there to inspire photographers everywhere to pick up their cameras and chase those once-in-a-lifetime moments in the wild.
The 2026 competition is officially open, and entries are welcome from all corners, whether you love photographing mammals, birds, or even underwater creatures. There are special sections for young photographers and video entries, too. With Nikon backing the event again, the prizes are just as exciting: think a dream safari in Kenya’s Maasai Mara and top-of-the-line camera gear.
But more than the prizes, this is your chance to show off the lighter side of wildlife. It’s about catching those bursts of personality, silly moments, and the pure, unpredictable joy of nature. Whether you’re an experienced photographer or just managed to snap the perfect shot, this is your time to shine.
So dive into your photo archives or grab your camera and get out there. Who knows? The next big viral wildlife comedy moment could have your name on it.
You can find more info about NCWA:
1. "Morning-Meeting" by Andrea Gubitz
Grey Heron – Wetterau, Hessen, Germany: Shortly after sunrise I was waiting for a grey heron to fish for his breakfast. All over sudden a nutria appeared to chase the grey heron away – successfully.
2. "Pink beak yuhina" by Arindam Saha
Stripe Throated Yuhina – Rishop, West Bengal, India: In April, I visited a small village in the Himalayas for bird-watching. During my trip, I came across a stripe-throated yuhina feeding on a flower. As it was sipping nectar, one of the flowers suddenly got stuck on its beak. Within a fraction of a second, the bird quickly shook it off. I was fortunate to capture a few shots of that fleeting moment.
3. "Head to Tail" by Bernard Beauné
Lion and cub – Masa Mara (Kenya): I witnessed this scene in the Masa Mara park where two young lions were playing with their mother, they were rolling around with her until one of them found himself in a rather uncomfortable and incongruous situation.
4. "The dance floor" by Brigitte Alcalay-Marcon
Blue footed booby – Galapagos Islands Ecuador: Pair of blue footed bobbies in courtship.
5. "Stop, I was there first!" by Bruno Zavattin
Garzetta – Venezia- Mestre Oasi Lipu Gaggio Marcon
6. "Biplane" by Christer Pettersson
Pich bird – Sweden Tidaholm: Two Pinch birds above each other.
7. "Worlds longest parrot" by Elizabeth Sanjuan
Parrot – South Florida: Several parrots in a pole, giving the illusion of one long parrot.
8. "Menage à quatre" by John Harris
Toad – Ballo Woodland, Perthshire, UK: Our children love spring at the local woodland we visit on a regular basis. It’s the time of year we go "toad watching". On this particular occasion the female had quite the following. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her but the at the same time her expression was so comical. Never had the act of reproduction looked so mundane and such a chore!
9. "Golf Hazard" by Michael Lambie
Red Kangaroo – Mareeba Golf Course, Mareeba, Australia: There’s no doubt about it, Kangaroos love golf courses. People provide safety and there’s lots of fresh grass and shade to work with. While staying near Mareeba, Queensland, I’d get up early to check out the Kangaroos. Typically, they would just be lazing around but on this morning, I spotted one on a green at a distance. Suddenly, it reached over and grabbed the flag, appearing intent on doing battle with it. Unsure of how to handle the lack of response, the kangaroo eventually abandoned its combatant and the green.
10. "Hide and Seek" by Mignon-van-den-Wittenboer
Blue-tailed damselfly – Moervendonk, Heeswijk-Dinther Netherlands: Every time I tried to photograph this damselfly he would turn behind the blade of grass. When I gave up he would wave ‘goodbye’.
11. "Feeling cute, might delete later" by Morris Hersko
Spectacled Caiman – Pantanal Wetlands, Brazil: Julia Butterflies will often land on a caiman’s eyes to lap up the minerals found in their salty crocodile tears. This particular Spectacled Caiman in Brazil’s Pantanal looked especially pleased with its new fashion accessories, and I couldn’t resist taking a photo of that self-satisfied look.
12. "The happy squirrel" by Pilar Lopez-Laseras
Squirrel – Jasper, Canada: This lovely squirrel looks as happy as a little child with a cookie.
13. "Core Strength" by Scott Kalter
Burrowing Owl – Cooper City, Florida: So, how long can you hold that pose? I always love to catch birds taking off from a perch. That first powerful wing beat and then "take off"! This little Burrowing Owl had a different approach in mind, and it seemed to work just fine!
14. "Mr Pringles_Keeper of the leaf" by Sritam Kumar Sethy
Kidney garden spider (Bijoaraneus mitificus) – Balasore, Odisha, India: Don’t be fooled by the moustache – this garden guardian isn’t selling snacks, just silently judging your snacking habits. Whenever we step into the lap of nature, it’s diversification always amaze us with unique species & dynamic morphology. Mimicry, the fascinating art of imitation present all around us in the natural world.
15. "Flying Elephant Seal" by Stefan Botha
Southern Elephant Seal – Onrus, Western Cape, South Africa: This photograph is extremely special to me as it was taken in february last year. The elephant seal in this picture is quite famous in the Western Cape South Africa, his name is Buffel after being first spotted in Buffelsbay in 2014. They come to land for up to 4 weeks every year to molt and shed their whole pelt in order to make sure it is strong and ready for their long journeys. This particular image I spent 8 hours waiting to take.
16. "Like a giraffe" by Tímea Ambrus
Purple Heron – Hungary, Pusztaszer: I just wanted to disappear into the grass like a normal bird… but now everyone thinks I’m a giraffe and even the satellites are picking up my signal! This isn’t camouflage anymore , it’s a broadcast!
17. "Explicit monkey business" by Timothy Parrant
Bamboon – Zambia
FAQs
1. What is the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2026?
The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2026 is a global photography contest that celebrates the lighter side of nature. Photographers from all over the world are encouraged to share their funniest, most spontaneous animal photos and videos. The goal is to use humor to raise awareness about conservation in a fun, creative way.
2. Who can participate in the competition?
Anyone can join, whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out. There are special categories for young people under 25 and juniors under 16, so it’s truly open to all ages and skill levels, no matter where you’re from.
3. What categories are included in the 2026 awards?
You’ll find categories covering everything from mammals and birds to reptiles, amphibians, insects, and aquatic creatures. There are also portfolio and video sections, plus a category where the audience can vote for their favorite. Nikon even sponsors special categories just for young and junior photographers.
4. What prizes can winners expect?
Winners can look forward to amazing prizes like an unforgettable safari in Kenya’s Maasai Mara, top-notch Nikon cameras and lenses, and a unique handmade trophy. It’s a mix of adventure and recognition for your skills behind the camera.
5. Why are the 2025 unseen outtakes important?
The 2025 outtakes are a collection of wild, unfiltered moments that didn’t make the final cut. They remind us that sometimes the most memorable stories come from the unexpected and imperfect, a great source of inspiration for anyone who loves photography and wildlife.
6. How can I submit my entry?
To enter, just head over to the official Comedy Wildlife Awards website. Upload your funniest wildlife photos or videos in the right category, double-check the rules and deadlines, and make sure your entry is original, genuinely funny, and true to the spirit of wildlife.
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