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.
A brave leopard kicks back and relaxes in the sunshine - just inches from an enormous crocodile .
YOU’VE heard of the northern lights now feast your eyes on the natural wonder of the SOUTHERN lights .
Pic By Graham Gibson/ HotSpot Media - SHARK HYPNOTIST BALANCES SHARK IN PALM OF HIS HAND- In Pic - Diver Tom and Caribbean reef sharks in the Bahamas- A SHARK hypnotist balances these predators in the palm of his hand by sending them to sleep with a gentle nose rub .
SWIMMING next to 40 tonne whales, dare-devil divers take the plunge with these gentle giants of the sea .
These uninvited guests ELEPHANTLY make their annual trip through the reception of this welcoming lodge .
AN ANGRY giraffe gave a bush-riding cyclist a scare when he stomped his £2K bike into the dirt .
A trio of ants are locked in a tug of war over a fly as they pull the bug by its legs .
A group of otters put on a show of aqua aerobics, as they raise their flippers perfectly in sync .
Throwing their arms up in the air, these energetic squirrels play a game of ball with a walnut .
A project to create an underwater tribute to the stone Moai statues of Easter Island ended in disaster when 15 replica structures were destroyed after toppling from a boat and into the sea .
WITH A wide smile plastered across his face, this little gecko is ready for his close up .
A COUNCIL has come under fire for slapping fines on people’s GRAVESTONES for breaching petty regulations on pot plants .