This little owl seems to be stuck between “I’ve totally got this!” and “Oh God, why?” and it’s hilarious.
[rebelmouse-image 19532984 dam=1 original_size=”749×499″ caption=””So are we going to help him?” If” expand=1]
This image, one of a set captured by photographer Tibor Kerccz, isn’t merely amusing. It beat out over 3,500 other entries from 86 different countries to be named the 2017 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards’ grand winner.
So it’s not just funny. It’s officially funny.
The Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards are the brainchild of two photographers: Tom Sullam and Paul Joynson-Hicks, MBE. Created in partnership with Born Free, a U.K. animal rights and anti-poaching group, the awards are intended to raise conservation awareness while also letting people in on the softer, sillier side of nature.
This year’s winners, including Kerccz’s owls, were announced on Dec. 13.
Check out the rest below:
The “On The Land” category winner — Andrea Zampatti’s “The Laughing Dormouse”
The “In The Air” category winner — John Threlfall’s “Duck Speed”
[rebelmouse-image 19532986 dam=1 original_size=”750×527″ caption=””Adorable dormouse photo? Turbo thrusters, ENGAGE!” Photo by John Threlfall/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards.” expand=1]
The “Under the Sea” category winner — Troy Mayne’s “Slap”
[rebelmouse-image 19532987 dam=1 original_size=”750×498″ caption=””There’s a magic zooming duck photo? Out of my way!” Photo by Troy Mayne/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards.” expand=1]
Besides the four winners, the contest also highlighted a handful of “highly commended” photographs. Such as …
Carl Henry’s “All Dressed And Ready For Church”
Jean-Jacques Alcalay’s “Animal Encounters”
Katy Laveck-Foster’s “Monkey-Escape”
[rebelmouse-image 19532990]
Penny Palmer’s “Cheering-Sea-Otter”
[rebelmouse-image 19532991 dam=1 original_size=”750×464″ caption=””Go little monkey dudes!” Photo by Penny Palmer/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards.” expand=1]
Daisy Gilardini’s “Hitching A Ride”
[rebelmouse-image 19532992 dam=1 original_size=”750×499″ caption=””Mom, is that a sea otter? Mom. MOM! Mom, are you looking? Mom, is that a sea otter?” Photo by Daisy Gilardini/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards.” expand=1]
Daniel Trim’s “Mudskippers Got Talent”
[rebelmouse-image 19532993 dam=1 original_size=”750×499″ caption=””Yeeeeeees, it’s a sea otterrrrrrr.” Photo by Daniel Trim/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards.” expand=1]
Douglas Croft’s “Must Have Three-putted”
Bence Mate’s “Caught In The Act”
[rebelmouse-image 19532995 dam=1 original_size=”750×499″ caption=””Nothing to see here.” Photo by Bence Mate/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards.” expand=1]
Olivier Colle’s “Eh What’s Up Doc?”
[rebelmouse-image 19532996 dam=1 original_size=”750×500″ caption=””Gasp!” Photo by Olivier Colle/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards.” expand=1]
George Cathcart’s “WTF”
[rebelmouse-image 19532997 dam=1 original_size=”750×496″ caption=””Did you hear what Bernice saw?” Photo by George Cathcart/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards.” expand=1]
These hilarious awards are the perfect conservation pick-me-up.
Preserving nature is important, but the topic can be make for a pretty heavy discussion sometimes. I know there are only so many sad polar bear pictures I can look at in a day.
But I’ll watch that owl fall down a million times before it gets old.
