Milko Marchetti's 'Stuck Squirrel' Wins 2024 Comedy Wildlife Photography Award
In a delightful showcase of humor and nature, Milko Marchetti's photograph of a red squirrel trapped in a tree trunk has been crowned the overall winner of the 2024 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards. This year, the competition received a record-breaking 9,000 entries from professional and amateur photographers across 98 countries, highlighting the global passion for wildlife photography. Marchetti's winning image captures a humorous moment as the squirrel detaches its hind legs from the trunk, a scene that never fails to elicit laughter during his presentations at local photography seminars.
Stefan Maier, general manager of marketing at Nikon Europe, praised Marchetti's work, stating that it brilliantly encapsulates the playful and unpredictable moments that make nature enchanting. The awards, created in 2015, aim to raise awareness about wildlife conservation while celebrating the lighter side of animal behavior.
Category Winners and Public Choice
Alongside Marchetti, several other photographers were recognized in various categories. The public's favorite was Tapani Linnanmäki from Finland, whose photo titled 'Shake ruffle rattle and roll' features a white-tailed eagle ruffling its feathers. Other notable winners include Jose Miguel Gallego Molina from Spain in the insect category for his photo 'Mantis Flamenca', and Eberhard Ehmke from Germany in the reptile category for 'Frog in a balloon'. Young talents were also celebrated, with Kingston Tam winning the Nikon Young Photographer Award for his charming close-up of a smiling frog, and 10-year-old Flynn Thaitanunde-Lobb taking the Portfolio category with a series of whimsical squirrel images. The video category was won by Kevin Lohman for his footage of a red fox enjoying a frosty morning.
This year's awards not only highlight the creativity and skill of wildlife photographers but also serve as a reminder of the importance of conservation efforts in protecting these enchanting creatures.
