THE Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards have announced their 44 shortlisted finalists for this year’s top prize.

Represented among the finalists are three examples of Scotland’s wildlife, including a rogue kingfisher and a very greedy puffin.

The overall winner will be chosen by a panel of judges, which includes the award’s founders Paul Joynson-Hicks and Tom Sullam, TV presenter and writer Kate Humble, and actor and comedian Hugh Dennis.

There is also a People’s Choice award, where the public can vote for their favourite picture.

In addition to providing some light-hearted relief, the competition aims to highlight the extremely important message of wildlife conservation in an engaging and positive way, working with the main competition partner - The Born Free Foundation.

You can see all 44 of the finalists and vote for the People’s Choice award here, or view a selection of The National’s favourites below: 

The National:

"Tough negotiations". A fox and a mouse have a little talk in Israel.

The National:

"It's the last day of school holidays". A young smooth-coated otter looks a little concerned by its parent's affection in Singapore.

The National:

"The race". Langur monkeys in India seem to have started their own biker gang.

The National:

"It's a Mocking Bird". A kingfisher in Kirkcudbright flouts the rules.

The National:

"Social distance, please!" Parakeets in Sri Lanka follow government guidelines.

The National:

"Socially Uninhibited". A Chacma baboon in Botswana starts to feel its age.

READ MORE: Photos of the week: Hedgehogs, Scalpay, and Oldshoremore Beach

The National:

"Terry the Turtle flipping the bird". A turtle off Australia's coastline shows what it thinks of being photographed.

The National:

"Having a Laugh". A seal in Caithness lets off some steam.

The National:

"Seriously, would you share some". One Scottish puffin seems to wish it had saved some of its catch for later.

The National:

"I could puke". One penguin on the Falklands may have had a little too much.

The National:

"Almost time to get up". This American racoon is apparently just sleeping...

The National:

"Crashing into the picture". Even giraffes don't want to be left out.

The National:

"The inside joke". This red squirrel in the Netherlands has seen something good.

The National:

"Smiley". This fish off the Canary Islands has no issue saying "cheese".

CONSERVATION MESSAGE FROM THE COMEDY WILDLIFE PHOTOGRPAHY AWARDS: 

SHOP LOCALLY AND RESPONSIBLY

With the recent lockdown, we have all got used to doing things slightly differently, including shopping closer to home, so why not carry on?  It helps in all sorts of ways from supporting small, local businesses to shrinking your carbon footprint and is way more fun!  And if you can avoid buying un-recyclable products and one-use plastics/packaging, even better!

 

PUT PLANT BOXES ON YOUR WINDOWSILLS

One of the easiest things to do... put a plant box on your windowsill, grow some flowers, and give the bees somewhere to go. We've all heard of the importance of bees, and this little nod towards their daily requirements is already a huge step in the right direction. Imagine if every windowsill had a flower box!  It would be an absolute miracle, so let’s start that process!

ONLY FLY LONG HAUL IF YOU REALLY HAVE TO.

Something else lockdown has taught us is how amazing the internet is at keeping us in touch with each other!  We’re all Zoom experts now!  Let’s embrace this new whizz technology and only take those flights if there is really no other way.

    BECOME A “WILD INFLUENCER.” 

This is a special person who may be not a mega activist, but really, really cares about the environment and wants to do something to help. For more ideas, please go to: www.comedywildlifephoto.com