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
LYING flat out on his back, this little meerkat makes the most of the English sunshine .
A SPECTACULAR array of stars fills the night sky as they soar over this active volcano .
A PENSIONER was left with a fractured jaw after being beaten and robbed outside his home in Birmingham last weekend .
This frozen lighthouse in Michigan could easily be mistaken for a still from the snow swept disaster movie The Day After Tomorrow .
MAKING himself at home, this little snail perches happily on top of this frog's head .
THIS alien-like bug would look more at home in outer-space but it can actually be found wriggling around here on Earth .
DIPPING his head into the vase of water, this little squirrel takes a refreshing break from an afternoon of eating .
DIVING boffins fired harpoons into 30-foot-long whale sharks in a bid to put the sea-beasts on Google Maps .
The claws come out at meal time as a group of white tailed eagles brawl over road-kill .
THEIR gnarling teeth at the ready, these two baboons fight it out for the last piece of fruit .