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
BREATHING life back into old photographs, these black and white images are transformed by colour .
FROM MRS Patmore to Lady Sybil, these barking mad illustrations show the WOOF-er side of some of our most loved Downton characters .
Armed with a snorkel, flippers and her skimpy bikini, an intrepid female free diver swims alongside an array of reef sharks .
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 .
DASHING through the snow, this little stoat is on the lookout for a Christmas feast .
A lively lemon shark grins into the camera and showcases his impressive teeth .
Full of tired and busy commuters, these underground stations are rarely admired for their architecture or beauty .
Grandmother Janet Kirby was told she couldn't board her plane home after being accused of assault .
A diver looks like a minnow as she swims alongside a gigantic whale shark, the largest species of fish on the planet .
Swimming side by side with divers, these manatees will do anything they can to stay warm .
Balanced on one leg, a frog assumes the crane kick martial arts stance made famous in the movie The Karate Kid .
An Italian photographer travelled to the highlands of New Guinea where he met an Indonesian tribe untouched by the modern world .