Stuck Squirrel Wins 2024 Comedy Wildlife Photography Award

In a delightful turn of events, a photo of a squirrel hilariously stuck in a bird feeder has won the coveted 2024 Comedy Wildlife Photography Award. Captured by amateur photographer Lisa Reynolds in her backyard in Minnesota, the image—aptly titled Nutty Predicament—has charmed judges and audiences alike with its combination of humor, timing, and the undeniable personality of the furry subject. The photo shows the squirrel’s head peeking out from the small feeder’s opening, its wide-eyed expression seemingly a mix of panic and resignation. According to Reynolds, she stumbled upon the scene when she heard unusual rustling noises near the feeder and decided to investigate” I couldn’t stop laughing,” she said. “It was like the squirrel was asking for help but also saying, ‘Don’t you dare take a picture.’ Of course, I did anyway.”

The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards, founded in 2015, celebrate the lighter side of wildlife photography while promoting conservation efforts. The competition aims to raise awareness of the need to protect the planet’s diverse fauna, with this year’s entries drawing attention to the resilience—and occasional mischief—of animals in the wild.
Judges praised Reynolds’ photo for its spontaneity and relatability, with one panel member joking, “Who hasn’t felt like that squirrel on a Monday morning?” The image beat out thousands of other entries, including a penguin tripping over a rock and a monkey stealing a tourist’s hat.
The competition organizers hope this year’s winning image brings smiles while inspiring people to cherish and protect the natural world. As for the squirrel, it reportedly escaped its “nutty predicament” unscathed, although it might think twice before raiding a bird feeder again.