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We never thought we would see them like this: a laughing fish, a polar bear making a facepalm, a bird telling another to speak to the hand. In total, more than seven thousand hilarious images competed for the 2020 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards. And the jury’s favorite is already known: it is that of a turtle that seems to raise the “middle finger” to the photographer. Terry the turtle throwing the bird was captured by Mark Fitzpatrick while swimming with turtles off Lady Elliot Island in Queensland, Australia.
But, while it looks like the turtle is doing the wrong gesture, it’s nothing more than a happy coincidence. In fact, Mark caught the moment when the turtle’s fin was pulled back as it swam towards the camera, creating the illusion that he was telling the photographer to go … swim the other way.
“I am honored to be awarded Comedy Wildlife Photographer of the Year for 2020,” said the photographer in a statement, quoted by Wilder. “It was fantastic to see the reaction of this image in people, to raise smiles in what has been a difficult year for many and, at the same time, to help convey the important message of nature conservation.” Mark waits for the turtle Terry “Encourage people to think about how much our amazing wildlife depends on us and what we can do to help.” The victory earned Mark a safari in Kenya, a camera, a figurine made by a craftsman in Tanzania and a backpack for the photographic material.
These awards were created by Paul Joynson-Hicks and Tom Sullam, professional photographers and environmentalists. The competition is global, online and participation is free. The idea is to show fun pictures of wildlife. “We want to raise awareness of the conservation efforts needed to keep these animals free and wild,” al Wilder Tom Sullan, in 2018. The images, he hopes, elicit a laugh in those who see them, thus creating an emotional connection that can lead to awareness.
The photo gallery shows the winners of the remaining categories and some finalists. From a squirrel singing to the sky to an insect trying to hide but unsuccessfully, the images are hilarious. They are worth seeing.
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