A mining town in Australia’s outback appears to be completely deserted, but its residents have escaped the scorching heat by living in underground caves. The town of Coober Pedy is home to over 1,500 people, as well as hotels, restaurants and churches, all of which are located up to 100ft below ground. “Coober Pedy is renowned for its below-ground residences, called dugouts, which are used to avoid the scorching daytime heat,” says photographer Abigail Varney, who visited the unusual town, located 846km north of Adelaide.
A hungry hippo is seconds away from catching a bird in its gigantic jaws .
A lively lemon shark grins into the camera and showcases his impressive teeth .
HUDDLED together on a branch, a pair of adorable Javan scops owls soak up the sun .
COVERING themselves in ash and face paint, these are the holy men who live their lives away from everyday society .
These photographs of extreme weather capture storms furiously rolling across the sky above America .
A kingfisher’s bright blue and orange feathers glisten in the sunlight as the bird dives into a lake .
A BIKINI swim with jellyfish sounds like the most painful past-time on the planet .
Scurrying along the branch of a tree, a little squirrel pushes a pram packed full of Easter treats .
A curious red squirrel takes a break from collecting nuts and tries her hand at photography .
With the full moon looming behind him, this polar bear nestles down for the night .
THIS incredible shimmer of silver fish mirrors the image of that of an underwater tornado .