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.
A diving guide leaves a shark completely docile and balanced in the palm of his hand .
A brave praying mantis makes an unusual friend in an Oriental garden lizard .
FLOATING effortlessly on his back, this little otter laps up a rare glimmer of English spring sunshine .
NATURE PAPARAZZIS prove you don't have to be Justin Bieber or Cheryl Cole to attract a pack of photographers .
As sunlight cascades through its vibrant stained glass windows, every inch of the Nasir-ol-Mulk Mosque bursts with colour .
EXPERTLY camouflaged, this clever panther chameleon knows how to catch its prey by surprise .
A brave leopard kicks back and relaxes in the sunshine - just inches from an enormous crocodile .
ROLLING around in the snow, these young brown bears take a break from their play fight to share a tender hug with one another .
RAISING his flipper, this two day old seal pup gives a wave to the camera .
SURROUNDED by divers, a hungry green sea turtle enjoys being the centre of attention .
A baby sperm whale assumed the role of a friendly giant when faced with two awestruck divers .
HUNDREDS of hot air balloons decorate the sky above Turkey as the rising sun illuminates the spectacular scenery below .