Nature's Comedy Show: Award-Winning Wildlife Photos That'll Crack You Up

7. Space Monkey

This amazing picture of a Japanese snow monkey offers an unearthly scenario that exactly grabs the imagination. Just rolling in snow has turned this earthly ape into what seems to be a celestial explorer with a natural spacesuit. To produce this spacefaring illusion, the timing and conditions had to be exact to catch this instant when the snow stuck to the monkey's fur in just the correct manner. The monkey seems prepared for its historic lunar voyage based on its attitude and posture, which add to the cosmic explorer story.

The photographer's deft capture of this scene turns a typical winter activity into something remarkable and quirky. The link to space exploration is clear-cut and fun since the white snow covering contrasts with the visible traits of the monkey to create an amazing picture that exactly replics the look of an astronaut's protective gear.