Startled bald eagle swooping down for lunch nominated at Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

 THIS bald eagle swooped down to catch a prairie dog for lunch but instead got the fright of its life.

In a true David and Goliath tale, the little rodent was able to startle the North American predator long enough for it to escape into a nearby burrow.

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The prairie dog was successfully able to startle the North American predatorCredit: ant

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Stuck in the mud - an elephant takes a tumble in ZimbabweCredit: Vicki Jauron

Meanwhile snappers in Zimbabwe caught the embarrassing moment an elephant fell face first into a bath of mud.

But the mammal appeared delighted to take a soak in the cooling sludge during a hot afternoon.

And in a mountain range in India a grumpy chameleon sat on a tree branch pulled a hilarious pose appearing unhappy at having his picture taken.

Closer to home a pigeon quickly realised summer was over when it perched on a ledge only to get a leaf blown in its face.

Elsewhere in Romania a photographer watched in awe as an adorable young bear played hide and seek with him behind a tree.

These incredible photos are contenders for this year's Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards.

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A chameleon in a mountain range in India struck a grumpy pose

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A pigeon is left short-sighted by an airborne leaf

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An adorable young bear plays hide and seek behind a tree

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These gophers in Hungary looked like they were having the time of their lives

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A trio of racoons in Germany appear to be playing Chinese whispers