A little brown bear cub shows his doting mum that she is always on parent duty as he uses her as a scratching post. These adorable photographs of two playful bear cubs and their watchful mum were captured by American nature photographer D. Robert Franz, 56, on a visit to Lake Clark National Park, Alaska. 'What we see in these photographs is the interaction between the mother brown bear and her two cubs,' says D. Robert, of Cody, Wyoming.
LYING back in the snow, these two polar bears share a cuddle as they call time out on playtime .
With the full moon looming behind him, this polar bear nestles down for the night .
FROM A mini table and chairs to a detailed violin, it’s hard to believe these incredible sculptures are all carved into the nib of PENCILS .
These are the faces of orphans suffering from the horrifying effects of chemical warfare .
STARING intently into the camera, a polar bear appears to be lost in thought while relaxing in the snow .
STARING eagerly into the camera, this little toad is full of curiosity .
Fetching a tiny carrot and a head-shaped snowball, a red squirrel builds the perfect snowman .
Raising his arms above his head and lying flat on his back, a polar bear stretches as he sprawls out across the ice .
Playing, splashing and generally messing around, these polar bears show they certainly have a soft spot for the water, and not just each other .
A NINJA red squirrel cuts a dashing figure as the little fella jumps up to ten-feet between treetops in the Yorkshire Dales .
SOME OF the sea’s most terrifying creatures show their softer side as they join a group of diners for lunch .
LINED up one by one on a deer’s back, these little birds give their wings a break as they catch a ride across London .