LIKE A living balloon this baitball of sardines is ready to burst when threatened by a pointy nosed sailfish. The photographs, taken off the coast of Isla Mujeres, near Cancun, Mexico, show how these water creatures work cooperatively to cut off a portion of a school of sardines swimming close to the seafloor, and drive them to the surface. American photographer Doug Perrine, 60, managed to capture the moment the sailfish manage to herd the bait into a tightly packed ball, ready to pick off for dinner one-by-one. ‘The sailfish took-turns swimming through the bait ball slashing with their bills to kill the fish, which are quickly gobbled up,’ Doug said. ‘Sometimes they light up or change to a bright colour pattern.
SWIMMING next to 40 tonne whales, dare-devil divers take the plunge with these gentle giants of the sea .
SQUABBLING over the last piece of grain, these hungry squirrels are determined to stock up on as much food as possible .
A small Indian monkey is seemingly gob-smacked after reading the latest stock market news .
Grandmother Janet Kirby was told she couldn't board her plane home after being accused of assault .
A pair of chicks bravely decided to befriend a python, despite being the snake's favourite choice of food .
A tiny puppy who lost his front legs after being hit by a train has been given and new LEASH of life with a set of wheels .
Like a scene from a fairytale, THOUSANDS of fireflies create an enchanting glow as they dance in a forest .
CAMPED out in the middle of a forest, these unusual hut hotels take you back to basics .
SEA LIFE and greenery in one shot show nature at its very best .
Say cheese! This cheeky chappy isn’t in the mood to live up to his scary reputation as he is pictured here cracking a killer smile as he goes about his daily business .
ESCAPING A LANDFILL FUTURE, these amazing science fiction inspired sculptures are made from everyday objects .