SAILING peacefully across a river in the early morning light, a fisherman in China keeps a 1000 year old tradition alive. Equipped with a bird, gas lamp and net, he fishes without the aid of a rod by using an unusual method - first practiced in 960 AD. The fisherman, pictured in southern China, releases a cormorant bird which dives into the water and retrieves a carp, before returning to the fisherman’s reed raft. The stunning images of cormorant fishing were captured on the River Li in Guilin, China by Russian photographer Viktoriia Rogotneva when he visited the fishermen of Guilin.
FROM MRS Patmore to Lady Sybil, these barking mad illustrations show the WOOF-er side of some of our most loved Downton characters .
Suspended FIFTY metres in the air, this is the last place that you would expect to find a fine dining experience .
The claws come out at meal time as a group of white tailed eagles brawl over road-kill .
LEAPING through the air this determined little mouse is on a mission for food .
Surveying its surroundings, a tiny harvest mouse climbs the stem of a dandelion .
ARMED with her camera, bikini and flippers, this brave diver goes swimming with SHARKS .
Swirling water and sand create amazing aerial images of river deltas across Iceland .
With luminous colours and alien- like features, these magical mushrooms look like they belong on another planet .
With the full moon looming behind him, this polar bear nestles down for the night .
A makeup artist from the West Midlands magically transforms herself into famous cartoon characters using body paint .
A mischievous fox cub demonstrates his playful side by biting his sibling’s tail .
Sprawled out on top of a log, this sleeping leopard takes a relaxing break from his daily routine .