Crash landings, stuck squirrels and smooching owlets: here are the funniest wildlife photos of the year

One of the most popular wildlife photography awards, the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards, has announced its winners for 2024.

The overall winner was Milko Marchetti, whose laugh-out-loud image of a squirrel getting 'stuck' in a tree was captured in Podere Pantaleone park in Bagnacavallo, Ravenna, Italy.

He says, 'Generally, in Italy, especially in the area where I live, it is very difficult to see and photograph squirrels but here in the park they are quite confident.

A few meters from the hide, an old cut tree has a hole (an old woodpecker's nest), and here the squirrels sometimes come out of curiosity to check out the old hollow tree.

The shot I chose to submit immediately struck me for the strange position assumed by the squirrel that seems to be stuck halfway in the hole in the tree, but in reality it is the moment in which it is detaching the support on its hind legs and enters the hole.'

From squirrels getting 'stuck' in trees, a Flemish Mantis working on its flamenco practise, and a bream hot on the tails of a bald eagle, the competition showcases the funniest photos taken around the world. You can take a look at the full shortlists below, then find out the overall winners.