Rock ‘n’ roll roo crowned funniest wildlife photo of 2023
Are you ready to laugh?
A kangaroo rocks it out in a field of wildflowers, clearly in the zone by the look on her face — it’s the height of comedy.
Or at least that’s what the judges of the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards thought, bestowing their top 2023 prize to photographer Jason Moore for his aptly named photo, “Air Guitar Roo”.
Up against 5,300 entries from 85 countries, Moore’s prize is a safari tour in the Masai Mara, Kenya, where the potential for more animals in hilarious situations awaits.
Here’s his winning image alongside other category winners.
Overall winner
Air Guitar Roo
A female western grey kangaroo striking a pose in the outer suburbs of Perth.(Jason Moore: Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023)
Commenting on the day back in August 2021, Moore said he was attacked by ticks when trying to get the “perfect” image.
“When I saw this roo striking their air guitar pose, it immediately brought a smile to my face, and I knew that I had captured something really special,” he said.
According to the judging panel, the image encapsulated a “happy vibe and feel good factor” — the sole purpose of what comedy wildlife is all about.
Creatures of the Air winner
A striated heron has an unexpected plunge in the Zimanga Private Game Reserve, South Africa.(Vittorio Ricci: Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023)
Creatures Under the Water winner
An otter gracefully pivots like a ballerina.(Otter Kwek: Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023)
Junior and People’s Choice winner
An avian family dispute in the Bialowieza Forest, Poland.(Jacek Stankiewicz: Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023)
Amazing Internet Portfolio winner
Scroll through to see the squirrel’s landing.
A ground squirrel jumped as if he could fly, to his surprise, he fell back down.(Timea Ambrus: Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023)
A ground squirrel jumped as if he could fly. To his surprise, he fell back down. (Timea Ambrus: Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023)
A ground squirrel jumped as if he could fly, to his surprise, he fell back down.(Timea Ambrus: Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023)
A ground squirrel jumped as if he could fly, to his surprise, he fell back down.(Timea Ambrus: Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023)
A ground squirrel jumped as if he could fly, to his surprise, he fell back down.(Timea Ambrus: Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023)
Highly Commended winners
Here are a few of the highly commended images to have a giggle at.
Excuse me sir, but I think you’re a little too young to be smoking.(Dakota Vaccaro: Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023)
The rainforest dandy in the Monkey Forest, Ubud, Bali.(Delphine Casimir: Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023)
A white grouse looking like a snowball with eyes.(Jacques Poulard: Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023)
Monday Blahs. A great gray owl slumped against a tree with a look of, “Is Monday over yet?”(John Blumenkamp: Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023)
A joey decides to get silly and try his hand at boxing.(Lara Mathews: Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023)
