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.
HUDDLED together on a branch, a pair of adorable Javan scops owls soak up the sun .
With the full moon looming behind him, this polar bear nestles down for the night .
A SPECTRUM of colours fills the sky during this spectacular and natural display of light .
SURROUNDED by divers, a hungry green sea turtle enjoys being the centre of attention .
An adorable orangutan named Pongo celebrates his first birthday at Zoo Atlanta, Georgia, America .
THIS ONE of a kind experience brings a whole new meaning to the phrase 'a coffee to go' .
A brave leopard kicks back and relaxes in the sunshine - just inches from an enormous crocodile .
A little clownfish opens its mouth to reveal a blood sucking intruder living on its tongue .
Playing, splashing and generally messing around, these polar bears show they certainly have a soft spot for the water, and not just each other .
From squids to Star Wars, these flipping marvellous creations are pancake portraits .
A curious red squirrel takes a break from collecting nuts and tries her hand at photography .
PAWS for thought as you feast your eyes on this rare bear bathing session .