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We never think of seeing them like this: a laughing fish, a polar bear making a facepalm, a bird that tells another to speak to the hand. In total, there were more than seven thousand hilarious images that 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 flipping the bird was captured by Mark Fitzpatrick while swimming with turtles on Lady Elliot Island in Queensland, Australia.
But even though the turtle appears to be making the wrong gesture, it is just a happy coincidence. In fact, Mark caught the moment the turtle’s fin pulled away as it swam towards the camera, creating the illusion that it was telling the photographer to go … swim in the other direction.
“I am honored to have been awarded the 2020 Wildlife Comedy Photographer of the Year,” the photographer said in a statement, cited by More wild. “It has been fantastic to see the reaction of this image in people, causing smiles in what has been a difficult year for many and, at the same time, helping to transmit the important message of conserving nature. Mark waits for the turtle Terry “Encourage people to take a moment to think about how much our incredible wildlife depends on us and what we can do to help.” The victory earned Mark a safari to Kenya, a camera, a figure made by a craftsman in Tanzania and a backpack for photographic equipment.
These awards were created by Paul Joynson-Hicks and Tom Sullam, professional photographers and conservationists. The contest is global, online and participation is free. The idea is to show funny pictures of wildlife. “We want to raise awareness about the conservation efforts needed to keep these animals free and wild,” he told the More wild Tom Sullan, in 2018. The images, hopefully, provoke laughter from 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 that sings to the sky to an insect that tries to hide, but without success, the images are hilarious. They are worth seeing.
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