The 41 shortlisted entries, taken by talented photographers from all over the world, reveal the diverse beauty and great humor occurring in everyday moments throughout the animal kingdom.
Australian Jason Moore’s image of a kangaroo striking a rock-star pose in the countryside near Perth is a perfect example of happening to be in the right place at the right split-second.
“I was driving past a mob of western grey kangaroos feeding in an open field that was filled with attractive yellow flowers,” Mr. Moore said about his fantastic shot, “Air Guitar Roo,” according to a press release. “I had my camera with me, so I stopped to grab a few photos. I suddenly noticed this individual adopt a humorous pose—to me it looks like he’s practicing strumming on his air guitar.”
Another hilarious image is from Kenyan Benard Omwaka. Recalling the time he spent watching a family of baboons at Lake Nakuru National Park, Mr. Omwaka said that a mother was trying hard to groom her baby, while the little baboon played a game of “catch me if you can.” Mr. Omwaka snapped a picture of the mom holding her mischievous baby by the ear, the baby’s face a picture of cheekiness.
“With a playful tug-of-war between motherly duty and the baby’s adventurous spirit, this endearing scene captures the untamed joy of the wild,” he said.
Ten of the shortlisted entries were taken in various parts of the United States, including Dakota Vaccaro’s image of a baby fox appearing to smoke a cigar, taken deep in the woods of Virginia. Tired after playing pretend-hunt with pieces of wood, the kit lounged on his belly “still holding the wood in his mouth which gave the strong resemblance of a cigar.
“I was very envious of the kit at this moment ‘cause who wouldn’t want to just lay around all day relaxing,” Mr. Vaccaro said.
Elsewhere, German Christian Hargasser found himself in the perfect place during sunset one evening in the Masai Mara. He and his group were heading back to their camp when a young lion jumped up on an old tree trunk and proceeded to snooze where he landed, seemingly exhausted from a long day’s activity, resulting in his charming shot, “Hang Loose.”
American Danny Sullivan captured a magical shot of two wild mustang stallions sparring in McCullagh Peaks, Wyoming. The title of his work, “Doing the Tango,” perfectly encapsulates the effect created by the pair of rearing horses. “No horses were hurt doing the Tango,” the photographer said.
“Teddy Buddies” shows a pair of playful grizzly bears frolicking with one another in their home at Katmai National Park, Alaska, their huge paws raised in greeting.
“This image is full of expressions and proper eye contact by both the bears hence it is a perfect frame of love and friendship. ... These magnificent creatures remind us that even the mightiest can embrace playfulness and connection,” Canadian talent Thomas Vijayan said about his heartwarming photo.
John Blumenkamp, too, finds himself entertained by the behaviors of various species. Talking about his photo, “Monday Blahs,” of a great gray owl slumped with a decidedly jaded look on his face in Grand Teton National Park, Mr. Blumenkamp says:
“This great gray owl spent most of the afternoon posing majestically and looking, well, wise. But for a moment or two after doing some elegant stretching, he/she would slump and give a look of ‘is Monday over yet?’ While out shooting I often find myself smiling or laughing with some of the behaviors of various species, and this annual event is a great way to bring that fun element of nature to others.”
The finalists have been selected from thousands of entries. The winners of the prestigious annual competition will be announced on November 23, and the top prize is a week-long safari in Kenya’s Masai Mara.
So what are you waiting for?
