WITH the phosphorescent blobs and mesmerising patterns, these spectacular images may look like the hall marks of an enchanted forest but it is in fact the scene of thousands of dancing FIREFLIES. The luminous green lights that glow from the insects help to give the impression of an extract from a fairy-tale. The magical photographs were taken by photographer Takaaki Ishikawa, 55, on a trip to Nagoya City in Japan. 'Fireflies are very delicate creatures, so it is important to not catch or disturb them,' said Takaaki
DASHING through the snow, this little stoat is on the lookout for a Christmas feast .
A doting seal smiles at her sweet little pup as she tickles its tummy on the beach .
SOME OF the sea’s most terrifying creatures show their softer side as they join a group of diners for lunch .
CAUSING a splash, this determined kingfisher goes hunting for dinner .
A cheeky gorilla sticks her tongue out and plays up for the camera at Bronx Zoo .
An Italian photographer travelled to northern India where he visited poverty stricken suburbs and captured ordinary people in a series of intimate and expressive portraits .
THIS is the shocking moment a clumsy radio newsreader plunged into a freezing canal while texting her boyfriend instead of looking where she was going .
An adorable little squirrel wakes from a nap and pops out his tongue for the camera .
AN EXERCISING turtle and an ice-skating chick are hardly everyday exploits in the animal community .
A BROWN bear wades through waters in Alaska and waits for his lunch .
At least three people have been killed and more than 100 injured, some seriously, in two explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon .