By Kevin Lohman
This photograph taken at Natural Bridges State Beach by Santa Cruz wildlife photographer Kevin Lohman is a finalist in the 2026 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards. Lohman has titled the picture “Are You Kidding Me?” and it was chosen in the prestigious international competition that this year received a more than 10,000 entries from 112 countries. The 43 finalists announced Oct. 2. Lohman captured the image at Natural Bridges, where he spotted a seven-week-old great horned owl perched in a tree. “Just as I pressed the shutter for a burst of images, a squirrel suddenly launched from a nearby branch and landed directly on the owlet’s head, knocking both animals out of the tree,” Lohman said. “It happened so quickly that the squirrel essentially photobombed my photograph.” Both animals landed on the ground and appeared unhurt. Lohman is an award-winning wildlife and nature photographer whose life’s work can also be seen around the county on Santa Cruz Metro buses as part of the “One Ride at a Time” campaign. He is participating in Santa Cruz County Open Studios this weekend and next at his studio at 124 Magnolia St. in Santa Cruz.