There are nature photographers and then there are people who take their amateur photography too seriously. But anyone who has worked with animals knows that you have to be patient and have a good sense of humor if you’re ever going to get a decent shot.

A Facebook group called “Crap Wildlife Photography” is celebrating the failed attempts to capture the majestic beauty of all God’s creatures.

With nearly 300,000 members devoted to these “crap” photos, you know it must be good stuff.

While the group is private and you have to apply for permission to join (and abide by the rules), we’ve managed to collect 20 of our favorites:

1. Photobomb

Don’t you hate it when you get your underwater photography gear ready, dive in, and some jerk fish ruins your shot of a majestic shark (or whatever that thing in the background is)?

It’s the worst.

2. Not so foxy

Ah, portrait mode. The ruiner of many a potentially majestic photo.

Try as you might, sometimes you simply can’t get your phone to focus on the right thing, like this possibly beautiful fox in the background.

3. An apple a day…

…keeps the demons away?

This kangaroo is probably really cute – when it doesn’t look like it’s possessed.

The flash is not your friend when you’re taking photos of faces at night.

4. Hawkward!

It’s a good thing birds don’t have social media, otherwise, this hawk would be demanding the photographer take down this shot.

5. Mythical creatures

We could argue that this was taken at exactly the right time.

Any ideas on what to call this breed of animal?

6. How’s this for a smile?

This Namibian hyena is getting the last laugh at its photographer.

This “moon shot” certainly isn’t going to make the family Christmas card.

7. Excuse me, can I see some ID?

Well, that’s terrifying!

This person was camping in their car when they were unceremoniously disturbed by a bull elk. And he doesn’t look too happy to be sharing his space.

We just hope he doesn’t see that the photographer managed to catch his bad side!

8. Bad days caught on camera

Aren’t you glad the cameras aren’t running when you do something really stupid or clumsy?

This poor squirrel is never going to live down this moment.

9. Full moon

Well, that’s either pretty bad timing or this family of ducks planned the perfect prank.

Bottoms up!

10. C’mon, I’m eating here

It’s so rude to take a photo of someone while they’re eating.

This little guy is wondering why humans just don’t understand how to be polite.

11. Scarf or bird?

We literally LOL’d at this photo of an eagle playing peek-a-boo behind a pole.

Take that, aspiring nature photographer!

12. Shake it off

Awkward!

The photographer is just lucky that the fox didn’t ask to see all the photos on the phone after this photoshoot.

13. That’s its bad side

Hopefully, that one got deleted.

We really don’t want to know what kind of person enjoys THAT view of nature.

14. Startled cat or tap-dancing fox?

Dance like no one’s watching – except a human’s security camera.

Can we get that embroidered on a pillow for this little guy?

15. Attack of the killer butterflies

This would have been a pretty cute shot had it not been for nature getting in the way!

16. What on Earth?

We couldn’t have summed up the subject of this photo any better than its photographer:

“Mr pelican line dancing with his friends while wearing a tiny hat with a tiny pelican on it.”

Sounds right.

17. Blue blurred

You need a better camera if you’re going to capture a bird in motion.

This could be anything from a living creature to a piece of trash blowing in the wind.

18. Smooth criminal

This guy clearly knows where the cameras are as he escapes yet again without letting anyone see his face.

So much for picking him out of a line-up.

19. Extreme close-up

Just about everything from focus to composition went wrong in this photographic endeavor.

And yet, it’s still kind of cool.

20. Next time, read the assembly instructions

If you’re going to photograph your neighborhood deer, please make sure you put them together properly first.

That’s why they come with a manual.

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Cheers to all the budding photographers out there who know how to laugh at themselves – and make us laugh in the process!

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Source: Crap wildlife photography via Facebook

H/t: Bored Panda