This is how this squirrel's soggy fur became one of the best wildlife photos of the year

A close-up shot shows a small, fluffy squirrel with messy, wet-looking fur peering out from a circular hole in the vibrant orange and reddish-brown bark of a tree.

We've all had that moment: fresh out of the shower, hair dripping everywhere, when the doorbell rings. Canadian photographer Christy Grinton saw a similar scenario play out in the animal kingdom when a mother grey squirrel, mid-nest relocation, peeked out from a vibrant hole in tree bark with her soaking wet fur plastered to her head.

The resulting image, titled Bad Hair Day, has earned Grinton a finalist spot among the 40 standout images in the 2025 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards. It captures the squirrel emerging from a cavity in brilliantly colored bark, her normally fluffy coat transformed into spiky, waterlogged tufts.