Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Turtle with an attitude problem is 2020's funniest wildlife photo

October 28, 2020 11:42 IST

What are you looking at? Terry the grumpy giant turtle summed up the general feeling towards a year that has been particularly cruel to both travel and wildlife. A photo of him "flipping the bird" was recently named funniest animal photo in the Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2020.

As the winner of the 2020 contest, Fitzpatrick won a safari in Masai Mara, Kenya, a Think Tank photography bag, and a Nikon camera.

 

Scroll down to see some more hilarious images, which won.

TERRY THE TURTLE, FLIPPING THE BIRD

The overall winner of this year's competition was Mark Fitzpatrick, with his photo taken off the coast of Lady Elliot Island in Queensland, Australia. The image captures Terry as his flipper is pulling back, as he swims towards the camera. It creates the illusion he is making a rude gesture. Fitzpatrick said he was glad his photo was "giving people a laugh in what has been a difficult year for many, as well as helping spread an important conservation message." Photograph: Mark Fitzpatrick/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2020

O SOLE MIO

Roland Kranitz was amused by this ground squirrel that appeared to be singing, noting in his submission that "she had a very nice voice." His photograph also charmed the public, who voted to give Kranitz the Affinity Photo People’s Choice Award. Photograph: >Roland Kranitz/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2020

ALMOST TIME TO GET UP

Charlie Davidson won a category prize for capturing a raccoon waking up after a night in a tree near his home. Photograph: Charlie Davidson/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2020

SOCIAL DISTANCE, PLEASE

This is the beginning of a scene which lasted approximately one minute and in which each of the rose-ringed parakeets used a foot to clean the partner’s beak. While the whole scene was very informative, this first photo with the male already holding his foot high in the air was just asking to be taken out of context. Photograph: Petr Sochman/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2020

DEADLY FART

A brown bear is lifting its leg to smell after a fart.. then collapses. Photograph: Daisy Gilardini/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2020

HIDE AND SEEK

As this Azure damselfly slowly woke up, he became aware of my presence. I was lined up to take a profile picture of his wings and body, but quite sensibly the damsel reacted to the human with the camera by putting the Marsh grass stem between me and it. I took the shot anyway. It was only later that I realised how characterful it was. And how much the damselfly looks like one of the muppets. Photograph:Tim Hearn/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2020

I'VE GOT YOU THIS TIME

An African lion cub stalks his brother from atop a termite mound. Photograph: Olin Rogers/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2020

SMILEY

Parrot fish from El Hierro, Canary Islands... among a group of parrot fish I saw this one, with a crooked mouth, looking like it was smiling. I don't know if it was caused by a fishing hook, or just something hard that it tried to bite. I concentrated on it, and it took me several minutes until I got this frontal shot... and yes, it made my day! Photograph: Arthur Telle Thiemenn/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2020

MONKEY BUSINESS

While on a trip to Borneo, I had many opportunities to watch monkeys interacting with each other. These Pig-Tailed Macaques showed me a bit more than I bargained for! Don't blame me... I just take the photos, I can't control the wildlife! So many titles came to mind for this photo but I went with the safe "family-friendly" option and called it "Monkey Business". Photograph: Megan Lorenz/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2020

I HAD TO STAY LATE AT WORK

South sea elephant in patagonia (Isla Escondida) They adopt very curious gestures! Photograph: Luis Burgue/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2020