A soap bubble lands on the frosty ground and creates a shimmering snow globe as crystals form around it. Pictured under the winter sun, the bubbles glow as sunlight bounces off their surface. Photographer Hope Thurston Carter captured the images after blowing the soap bubbles on several freezing days in Michigan. The 52-year-old, of Martin, Michigan, says: 'I got the idea to blow bubbles outside in the winter after I saw several similar photos on the internet.
An adorable black bear cub struggles to find the perfect spot for an afternoon nap as he wriggles around on the branch of a maple tree .
FROM the rolling hills of the Scottish highlands to looming chalk cliffs in Sussex, these stunning photographs capture the spectacular beauty of Great Britain .
RACING through the mountain range on horseback, the Kazakh people practice their ancient tradition of hunting with golden eagles .
STARING intently into the camera, a polar bear appears to be lost in thought while relaxing in the snow .
Jostling their quills into the noses of some unlucky cubs, this is the moment two feisty porcupines ALMOST defeat a pride of seven lions .
A doting seal smiles at her sweet little pup as she tickles its tummy on the beach .
LIKE A living balloon this baitball of sardines is ready to burst when threatened by a pointy nosed sailfish .
BASKING in smug satisfaction, a confident squirrel gives a wink to the camera .
TOMORROW (Saturday) marks the 28th anniversary of the nuclear disaster that left the city of Chernobyl devastated .
COURAGEOUS climbers descend 400 metres as they manoeuvre their way through thick walls of ice .
Primed and ready for action, this collection of striking images from the battlefield could be mistaken for authentic photos taking during World War II .