A grey whale and her calf greet an audience of awestruck admirers on the Pacific coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico. The magnificent mammals swim up to several boats full of tourists and get so close that the passengers can stroke the mother and baby whale. The special moment was photographed by lawyer Andrea Izzotti, 47, of Genovia, Italy. Andrea says: “The mother was milking her calf in shallow waters, but they are very curious animals and they came up to our boats to see the humans.
SPURTING water 20ft into the air, this is one well you wouldn't want to dip your bucket into .
RACING through the mountain range on horseback, the Kazakh people practice their ancient tradition of hunting with golden eagles .
WITH A LITTLE cap of fresh snow resting on his head, this squirrel tries his best to pull off his new look .
SAILING peacefully across a river in the early morning light, a fisherman in China keeps a 1000 year old tradition alive .
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 .
BEHIND the doors of this building, with its stacks of mattresses and discarded remains of wheelchairs, lies another victim of austerity cuts .
Destroyed buildings and overturned cars are seen after a huge tornado struck Moore, Oklahoma, near Oklahoma City, May 20, 2013 .
STARING intently into the camera, a polar bear appears to be lost in thought while relaxing in the snow .
A SPECTACULAR array of stars fills the night sky as they soar over this active volcano .
PUSHING the diver out of his way, this little sea turtle shows he’s not in the mood for photographs .
FROM COLOURFUL autumn leaves to living trees at first glance you might miss these people blended with nature .
WIDE EYED with a huge smile across her face, this little elephant is a picture of happiness .