Wildlife photography is an artform associated with images of majestic animals in breathtaking settings.
Drama, death, predator and prey: these photos normally evoke nature, red in tooth and claw. But this is 2020, and we could all do with a laugh.
So, here's a photo of a turtle, "flipping the bird".
The Comedy Wildlife Photography Award was established as an antidote to the normal nature photography narrative - the one where a beautiful, endangered animal is shown in its threatened habitat. Sad and stunning photos have an important role to play in raising awareness.
However, this competition was set up to show that comedy might be a better way of encouraging the message of conservation.
"We are trying to raise the issue of conservation through a humorous, upbeat and positive association with these animals," says Tom Sullam, one of the competitions' founders.
Tom and Paul Joynson-Hicks started the competition in 2015 in search of "great photography that has captured a wild animal doing something so funny that makes us snort into our cup of tea."
And they've found plenty of them. Past entries have included bear cubs doing the tango, shocked otters and one pissed-off squirrel who just wants everything to "stop!"
In the past six years the competition has focused increasingly on conservation.
Working with the Born Free Foundation, they hope that the competition can help spread conservation awareness and raise a bit of cash for the cause.
One a more selfish note, Paul and Tom have been given something to chuckle at through a pandemic lockdown. Tom says the Coronavirus has helped the entries, as photographers have "found the time to wrestle through years of images stuck on hard drives."
This year they have whittled down a record 7000 images to a short list of 44.
"The most ever, which is amazing!"
The competition has assembled a panel of judges from both photography and comedic backgrounds. The list includes BBC comedy panellist Hugh Dennis, TV presenter Kate Humble and wildlife activist Will Travers.
Though as you'd expect of this meme-worthy collection of photos – the internet plays a key role in selecting the top comedy snaps.
The People's Choice Award is open to public voting via their website.
The full list of finalists can be seen: comedywildlifephoto.com
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