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.
AN ANGRY giraffe gave a bush-riding cyclist a scare when he stomped his £2K bike into the dirt .
BOXING DAY has come early for this pair of feisty squirrels, as their Christmas party quickly turns sour .
While often referred to as the kings of the jungle, gorillas - for all their might - are notorious hydrophobes .
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 .
ARMED with her camera, bikini and flippers, this brave diver goes swimming with SHARKS .
HIDDEN in the middle of the Mojave Desert, a secret oasis awaits intrepid travellers .
TUGGING at his exhausted mum's ears, a beautiful baby orangutan refuses to settle for a nap as he begins a game of peek-a-boo .
HEART-MELTING shots of a French bulldog and a ten-month-old French baby could be the cutest you’re likely to see .
FROM COLOURFUL autumn leaves to living trees at first glance you might miss these people blended with nature .
A DETERMINED great blue heron holds on tightly to its prey as the furry gopher attempts to wriggle free .
A BIKINI swim with jellyfish sounds like the most painful past-time on the planet .
AN OLD ENGLISH cottage packed full of history and valuables has been left to rot .