SQUEEZING their furry faces through a hole in a tree, a trio of curious baby squirrels leave their nest for the first time to explore their surroundings. Peering carefully out of the opening, one by one, the squirrels scout the area before scrambling back inside their den. The cute peekaboo display was caught on camera by photographer Rick Tomalty in his garden in Orford in Quebec, Canada.
BLOWING bubbles underwater, this adorable polar bear slides into his tank for a playful dip .
This frozen lighthouse in Michigan could easily be mistaken for a still from the snow swept disaster movie The Day After Tomorrow .
WEARING tiny Christmas accessories, these adorable babies get into the spirit of the season .
BASKING in smug satisfaction, a confident squirrel gives a wink to the camera .
Armed with a snorkel, flippers and her skimpy bikini, an intrepid female free diver swims alongside an array of reef sharks .
A once bustling gold rush town in Mono County, California now stands completed deserted .
BEHIND the doors of this building, with its stacks of mattresses and discarded remains of wheelchairs, lies another victim of austerity cuts .
A brave praying mantis makes an unusual friend in an Oriental garden lizard .
BALANCING on top of a tree, this bear cub puts her climbing skills to the test .
A DETERMINED great blue heron holds on tightly to its prey as the furry gopher attempts to wriggle free .
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 .
