From laugh-out-loud animal expressions to perfectly timed moments in the wild, this year’s Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards finalists showcase the lighter side of nature. The competition received more than 10,000 entries from 112 countries, a record in its 11-year history. Founded in 20 15, the awards use humor and photography to engage audiences with wildlife conservation and biodiversity. Nikon, the competition’s headline partner, said the contest helps talented photographers tell stories that raise awareness about conservation while bringing joy to audiences around the world. See some of this year’s weirdest, wildest and most creative finalists below: All images courtesy of Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards Sexy mantis A tiny green mantis peeks over a leaf during a night walk in an area of Cusco, Peru, that is still waiting to be protected. (Diego Perez/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards) Little Godzilla This squirrel had taken a bit too much in its mouth – but with a few firm bites, the greenery was made to fit. (Udo Harms/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards) Push Over A pride of young lions playing in the riverbed of Ruckomechi in Zimbabwe.(Barbara Seiberl-Stark/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards) Oops- I think I just parped This relaxed hare is going about his activities totally relaxed. (Carolyn Moore/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards) Bears Sharing a Joke Two subadult male Brown Bears play-fighting to prepare them to engage in real fights with adult males. (Charles Janson/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards) The different one Three young giraffes standing side by side on the open, dry savanna and looking back with great curiosity in the Masai Mara, Kenya. (Dirk Koster/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards) Fish-headed bird An anhinga that had caught a fish, unfortunately (or luckily) penetrating the fish with its beak during the catch. (Eigil B Jensen/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards) Cheeky little elephant This cheeky little elephant is messing around with his friend in South Africa. (Hannah Deitl/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards) The Handstand This female spent much of the morning perching herself on different vantage points in search of her cub. (Homi Sahana/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards) Resting Owl Face This little owl flew silently and perched on a branch in front of the photographer before it started to sing in Nanling National Forest Park in China. (Ka Chun Jacky/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards) Are You Kidding Me? A young Great Horned Owl had barely settled onto its perch before a protective squirrel launched a surprise aerial tackle, knocking it into the grass below. (Kevin Lohman/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards) A Very Pressured Spadefish In the waters of Dumaguete, Philippines, a spadefish swims just ahead of a giant whale shark, wearing an expression as if an overwhelming pressure is closing in from behind. (Kyo Chen/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards) This is my best side Two Belgian beavers who have clearly decided that humans are no reason to interrupt their daily routine and they even seemed happy to pose for the camera. (Natalie Veekmans/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards) Elvis This caiman emerged from the water in an area with a lot of floating vegetation and part of it remained on its head, resembling a 1950s rock and roll hairstyle. (Paolo Torre/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards) Ballet Dancer This image was taken in Dumfriesshire, Scotland with a Nikon z8 and 100-400 mm lens. (Robert Nairn/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards) #ForTheGram A family with 3 playful yearlings climbing up and down the trees stop for just a moment in this perfect pose. (Rosie Barrett/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards) Morning calisthenics No rest days for this furry apex predator as she is puts in the sweat equity to get herself ready for the upcoming summer season. (Scott Suriano/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards) Hair Check Before the Family Photo One meerkat insists on giving a last-minute grooming inspection while the others are trying their best to look respectable. (Subi Sridharan/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards) Fashion fades. Feather coats are forever. The water on the ice doesn’t seem to bother the sea eagle, which approaches with the same confident stride year after year. (Tapani Linnanmäki/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards) Out of water On a gentle sunlit afternoon, a little sunbird excitedly set off for a five-star spa deep in the forest. (Thong Duy Vu/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards) ...read more read less