Nikon Wildlife Photography Awards 2023: Celebrating Nature’s Quirkiest Moments
From a bird getting a face-full of grass to breakdancing foxes, the Nikon Wildlife Photography Awards have announced this year’s winners. With an astonishing 10,000 entries from 109 countries, the competition has reached an all-time high, celebrating a decade of showcasing extraordinary wildlife moments.
Background of the Competition
Founded in 2015 by acclaimed wildlife photographer Paul Joynson-Hicks, this award aims to highlight the humorous and endearing aspects of nature. Inspired by a collection of amusing animal photographs, Joynson-Hicks envisioned a platform to bring joy and awareness through the lens of photography.
Overall Winner: “High Five!”
This year’s top honor went to Mark Meth Cohn for his stunning shot of a gorilla showing off its skills in Rwanda. Cohn spent four days trekking through mist-covered mountains before he encountered the Amahoro family, where a young male was eager to impress. “The gorilla was flipping, somersaulting, and kicking high. Watching its performance brought pure joy,” he remarked.
Junior Winner: “Baptism of the Reluctant Convert”
In the junior category for those under 16, Grayson Bell took home the gold with a charming photograph of green frogs in Maine. He only realized the moment he had captured once he returned home. “I showed it to my parents, and they loved it too. It became one of my favorite photos,” he said. “We all thought it looked like one frog was trying to baptize the other.”
Young Photographer Winner: “On the Dance Floor”
Paula Rustemeier from the Netherlands won in the young photographer category under 25 with her delightful image of red foxes enjoying themselves in the sand. “You can’t help but laugh watching the foxes display their quirky personalities,” she stated.
More Hilarious Wildlife Moments
A scruffy squirrel in Canada showcases its bad hair day, reminding us that we all have our off days.
Check out the flexibility of this red-throated diver landing in Finland!
Meet these chatty Brünnich guillemots in Norway, who are hard to silence!
A lemur gazes into the distance while licking its finger.
A brown bear grins at the camera—smiles are infectious!
This Steller sea eagle in Japan emerges from the snow, fiercely protecting its catch!
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Conclusion
The Nikon Wildlife Photography Awards truly highlight the amusing and captivating moments in nature. Each photograph not only showcases incredible talent but also serves to remind us of the delightful quirks found in the animal kingdom.
Key Takeaways:
- A record 10,000 entries were received for this year’s awards.
- Mark Meth Cohn took the overall winner title with his stunning gorilla shot.
- Junior category winner Grayson Bell captured a charming moment of green frogs.
- Humor and creativity shine through in wildlife photography at the awards.