Raleigh wildlife photographer Jennifer Hadley is a finalist for this year's Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards. The competition harnesses funny animal photos to build empathy for wildlife and encourage conservation efforts. It's her first time entering the contest and her photos are two of the 40 in the final round.

Jennifer is competing against photographers from around the world with her images of a sassy penguin on the Falkland Islands and a lion cub falling out of a tree in Tanzania (the cub landed on all fours and was OK). "I think the only thing hurt was his pride," Jennifer told RALtoday.

Vote for your favorite photo by Sun., Nov. 27 — the winner will be announced Thurs., Dec. 8. what do they win?? could be fun to mention.

When Jennifer isn't traveling, one of her favorite places to take photos in Raleigh is around Shelley Lake. "I love photographing the resident bald eagles and their babies every year," Jennifer said.

"Un-Cat Like Reflexes" was taken in Tanzania in January 2021. | Photo by Jennifer Hadley