LIKE A living balloon this baitball of sardines is ready to burst when threatened by a pointy nosed sailfish. The photographs, taken off the coast of Isla Mujeres, near Cancun, Mexico, show how these water creatures work cooperatively to cut off a portion of a school of sardines swimming close to the seafloor, and drive them to the surface. American photographer Doug Perrine, 60, managed to capture the moment the sailfish manage to herd the bait into a tightly packed ball, ready to pick off for dinner one-by-one. ‘The sailfish took-turns swimming through the bait ball slashing with their bills to kill the fish, which are quickly gobbled up,’ Doug said. ‘Sometimes they light up or change to a bright colour pattern.
SEA LIFE and greenery in one shot show nature at its very best .
An adorable little squirrel wakes from a nap and pops out his tongue for the camera .
Clinging on to their furry backs, mischievous monkeys appeared to enjoy the free transport as they rode around on a perturbed Capybara .
WITH HIS PAW covering his mouth, this cheeky cub looks amused by something .
ROLLING across a 65-metre-high viaduct in the Alps, the red carriages of the Bernina Express add a splash of colour to the spectacular snow-covered Swiss surroundings .
THESE LOVE BIRDS can’t keep their beaks off each other as they share a very public display of affection .
A fox takes a tumble and lands on his head when he tries to fend off a pair of eagles in Japan .
LOCATIONS bursting with vibrant greens and chestnut browns, these photographs capture the peaceful English countryside in all its glory .
A doting seal smiles at her sweet little pup as she tickles its tummy on the beach .
BALANCING on top of a tree, this bear cub puts her climbing skills to the test .
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 .