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.
SOME OF the sea’s most terrifying creatures show their softer side as they join a group of diners for lunch .
FLOATING effortlessly on his back, this little otter laps up a rare glimmer of English spring sunshine .
Scurrying along the branch of a tree, a little squirrel pushes a pram packed full of Easter treats .
GLIDING through the water, these delightful frogs show off their vibrant colours as they practice their FROG crawl .
A dog was SOW close to death after she dangerously swallowed a two-inch NEEDLE-Cute Shih Tzu Daisy could have pierced her intestines after eating the long needle and thread after finding it on the carpet .
SURROUNDED by a snowstorm, these young polar bears battle the elements - as well as each other .
RACING through the mountain range on horseback, the Kazakh people practice their ancient tradition of hunting with golden eagles .
A cheeky gorilla sticks her tongue out and plays up for the camera at Bronx Zoo .
ARMED with her camera, bikini and flippers, this brave diver goes swimming with SHARKS .
A diving guide leaves a shark completely docile and balanced in the palm of his hand .
A striped marlin means business as it spots lunch and spears a small fish .
A hungry hippo is seconds away from catching a bird in its gigantic jaws .