Two talented Finnish nature photographers have secured spots on the shortlist for this year's Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards, bringing humor and artistry to wildlife conservation through their captivating images. A grinning bear photograph and a comical bird landing sequence represent Finland's entries in the prestigious annual international competition.
Valtteri Mulkahainen from Sotkamo in Eastern Finland's Kainuu region has earned recognition with his delightful image titled "Smile, You're Being Photographed." The photograph captures a one-year-old bear cub appearing to grin directly at the camera. "This one-year-old cub noticed me and started to smile. Apparently, it had already posed for photographers before," Mulkahainen explained. This isn't the photographer's first brush with international acclaim – he previously made the shortlist with a charming photo of a bear happily sniffing a flower, and his 2013 image of 'dancing bears' in a Finnish forest gained widespread international media attention.
Finland's second representative, Erkka Badermann from Kirkkonummi in southern Finland, captured his shortlisted entry at a nearby pond during a cold and wet spring day. His photograph, titled "Landing Gears Down," showcases the amusing landing technique of a red-throated diver. Badermann noticed from the female bird's behavior that her mate was preparing to land on the water surface. "The red-throated diver is quite a 'bad' flyer, and its landings are usually very wobbly: it tries to find its balance with its legs stretched out behind and then lands on its belly to slide along the water's surface. I like to say they use the water as their runway," he detailed.
The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards, which launched in 2015, welcomes nature photographers of all skill levels to participate in celebrating wildlife while raising awareness about conservation needs. This year's shortlist features 40 photographs from around the world, showcasing the lighter side of animal behavior. The competition serves a dual purpose – entertaining audiences with humorous wildlife moments while highlighting the importance of protecting and conserving natural habitats and the creatures that inhabit them.
Among the other notable entries making this year's shortlist are "Flamingone" by Miles Astray, "Fonzies Advertising" by Liliana Luca, "Squirrel Airborne: Surrender Mode" by Stefan Cruysberghs, "He's at it Again" by David Rice, "Peek a Boo" by Henry Szwinto, and "Hit The Dance Floor" by Paula Rustemeier. These images demonstrate the global appeal and creativity found in wildlife photography when photographers capture animals in unexpectedly amusing situations.
The winner of this year's Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards will be announced during a special ceremony in London on December 9th. The competition continues to grow in popularity and recognition, attracting photographers from around the world who seek to combine their passion for wildlife with a sense of humor, ultimately contributing to conservation awareness through the universal language of laughter.
