A quiet Himalayan mountain village springs to life for a colourful Buddhist festival designed to expel evil spirits and bring happiness. The annual Torgya Festival in Tawang, in north-eastern India, is full of colourful dancing, music and theatre. The three day festival is held in the courtyard of the Tawang monastery, which is nestled on top of the hill overlooking the town. The vibrant event was attended by Australian photographers Stephen Axford and Catherine Marciniak.
A lively lemon shark grins into the camera and showcases his impressive teeth .
SWIMMING next to 40 tonne whales, dare-devil divers take the plunge with these gentle giants of the sea .
STARING eagerly into the camera, this little toad is full of curiosity .
These are the faces of orphans suffering from the horrifying effects of chemical warfare .
A grand 56-bedroom hotel, once heaving with injured soldiers during the First World War, now lies completely abandoned .
SPARKLING bright inside their box, it’s hard to believe these diamonds are made from the cremated remains of the deceased .
A pair of adorable polar bear cubs play-fight with each other in the Alaskan snow .
THIS LITTLE squirrel tries to keep himself snug as snow starts to fall around him .
SKIPPING on the spot, an adorable little owl embraces the 'running man' challenge .
Armed with a snorkel, flippers and her skimpy bikini, an intrepid female free diver swims alongside an array of reef sharks .
