SAILING peacefully across a river in the early morning light, a fisherman in China keeps a 1000 year old tradition alive. Equipped with a bird, gas lamp and net, he fishes without the aid of a rod by using an unusual method - first practiced in 960 AD. The fisherman, pictured in southern China, releases a cormorant bird which dives into the water and retrieves a carp, before returning to the fisherman’s reed raft. The stunning images of cormorant fishing were captured on the River Li in Guilin, China by Russian photographer Viktoriia Rogotneva when he visited the fishermen of Guilin.
A kingfisher’s bright blue and orange feathers glisten in the sunlight as the bird dives into a lake .
ALL IS not as it seems in these deceptive cityscapes .
A fox takes a tumble and lands on his head when he tries to fend off a pair of eagles in Japan .
A baby sperm whale assumed the role of a friendly giant when faced with two awestruck divers .
LIFTING their heads high and bumping beaks, these aggressive pelicans clash over fish .
The rock restaurant, located in Zanzibar – THIS unique restaurant really does boast breath-taking views - as it is perched on a rock in the middle of the sea .
DIPPING his head into the vase of water, this little squirrel takes a refreshing break from an afternoon of eating .
HUNDREDS of hot air balloons decorate the sky above Turkey as the rising sun illuminates the spectacular scenery below .
Armed with a snorkel, flippers and her skimpy bikini, an intrepid female free diver swims alongside an array of reef sharks .
RACING through the mountain range on horseback, the Kazakh people practice their ancient tradition of hunting with golden eagles .
HIDDEN in the middle of the Mojave Desert, a secret oasis awaits intrepid travellers .
DASHING through the snow, this little stoat is on the lookout for a Christmas feast .