A grey whale and her calf greet an audience of awestruck admirers on the Pacific coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico .

A mining town in Australia’s outback appears to be completely deserted, but its residents have escaped the scorching heat by living in underground caves .

FROM THE world famous Girl with a Pearl Earring painting to a jaguar in the grass, these incredible drawings are created from coloured ballpoint pens .

With the vivid red smoke billowing into the sky amid the misty sand dunes, these are the blissful views provided at the break of dawn at a volcano .

Beautiful turquoise waves rise and fall in a series of stunning images taken along the coastline of south-eastern Australia .

These are the faces of orphans suffering from the horrifying effects of chemical warfare .

Gigantic 100ft waves create the perfect playground for dare-devil surfers from across the world .

WITH their robotic movements and pristine uniforms, these are the sexy traffic girls of North Korea that are becoming iconic figures in the secretive state .

SHOVELLING food into his mouth, this hungry gorilla enjoys a peaceful moment at dinner time .

HUNDREDS of hot air balloons decorate the sky above Turkey as the rising sun illuminates the spectacular scenery below .

CONTRASTING settings reveal some of England’s most beautiful landscapes in all their glory .

A diver attempts to control rising numbers of lionfish by feeding the venomous species to Caribbean reef sharks .