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
FROM KISSING an alligator on the nose to walking over broken glass, this fearless daredevil is a real life female JACKASS .
WITH A LITTLE cap of fresh snow resting on his head, this squirrel tries his best to pull off his new look .
MESMERIZING night sky photographs offer a spellbinding look at the stars .
An Italian photographer travelled to Chile where he visited several star-gazing sites, home to some of the world's most advanced telescopes, located in the spectacular setting of the Atacama desert .
An Australian beach is illuminated by an enticing neon blue glow as a rare phenomenon lights up the water .
LUMINOUS green rocks could easily be a beach from Superman's homeland of Krypton .
An adorable little squirrel wakes from a nap and pops out his tongue for the camera .
A quiet Himalayan mountain village springs to life for a colourful Buddhist festival designed to expel evil spirits and bring happiness .
HUNDREDS of hot air balloons decorate the sky above Turkey as the rising sun illuminates the spectacular scenery below .
SPURTING water 20ft into the air, this is one well you wouldn't want to dip your bucket into .
SAILING peacefully across a river in the early morning light, a fisherman in China keeps a 1000 year old tradition alive .
DASHING through the snow, this little stoat is on the lookout for a Christmas feast .