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.
WITH SNOW COVERING the ground around them, these two polar bears play fight .
A Romanian photographer has captured the unique patterns of hundreds of human eyes in a series of striking macro shots .
RESTING his weary head on his flipper, this little seal pup takes a much needed nap after an afternoon of strenuous yoga .
Daniel Blore, 21, of Innage Crescent, Bridgnorth, stabbed his mother three times in the attack on January 11 this year, Stafford Crown Court heard .
A mischievous fox cub demonstrates his playful side by biting his sibling’s tail .
A proud gorilla mum welcomes her newborn baby western lowland gorilla, a critically endangered species .
WITH their robotic movements and pristine uniforms, these are the sexy traffic girls of North Korea that are becoming iconic figures in the secretive state .
A lazy tree frog, tired of hopping along a branch, chooses the slowest form of transport when it jumps on top of an unsuspecting snail .
Fishermen in Myanmar have perfected an unusual fishing technique by carefully balancing on one leg .
DASHING through the snow, this little stoat is on the lookout for a Christmas feast .
A panic stricken kitten that got her head stuck in a car tyre has been freed by quick thinking RSPCA staff .
These adorable pictures show the moment two cuddly red panda cubs take their first look at the outside world and are weighed for the very first time .