FROM MRS Patmore to Lady Sybil, these barking mad illustrations show the WOOF-er side of some of our most loved Downton characters. The art works entitled 'Houndton Tabby', were designed by illustrator and artist Kim Parkhurst, 39, after she combined her love of drawing and Downton Abbey. 'I've been painting portraits of animals in historical costume for some time,” explains New Yorker Kim. “I've taken some familiar and beloved characters whose demeanour, personality, and appearance seemed to translate to certain breeds of dog or cat. 'I got to thinking about Mr Bates' character and storyline, and Brendan Coyle's facial structure, and how he could look hard but also had the warmest, kindest eyes.
This is the moment a nimble red fox and a lumbering Alaskan brown bear were locked in a tense stand-off .
They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day and for this greedy camel he can't get enough of his morning feed, as he gate crashes his owner's mealtime .
Fetching a tiny carrot and a head-shaped snowball, a red squirrel builds the perfect snowman .
An osprey soars through the air at 30 miles per hour before swooping down to catch its prey from a lake .
LEAPING for joy five-feet above the waves this baby whale cutie is saying HELLO to its family after being lost .
MEET the underwater British seal who is so friendly he loves to grapple divers like a friendly puppy dog .
SOME OF the sea’s most terrifying creatures show their softer side as they join a group of diners for lunch .
TOMORROW (Saturday) marks the 28th anniversary of the nuclear disaster that left the city of Chernobyl devastated .
WITH a paw in the air and his tongue hanging from his mouth, it is clear to see that this little groundhog is struggling to wake up and leave behind the comfort of his burrow .
SAT with his arms folded and a cross look on his face, this Gorilla looks like he's had enough of the Christmas holidays already .
SPLASHING around in a paddling pool, this little elephant soaks up the sunshine .
Primed and ready for action, this collection of striking images from the battlefield could be mistaken for authentic photos taking during World War II .