FROM MRS Patmore to Lady Sybil, these barking mad illustrations show the WOOF-er side of some of our most loved Downton characters. The art works entitled 'Houndton Tabby', were designed by illustrator and artist Kim Parkhurst, 39, after she combined her love of drawing and Downton Abbey. 'I've been painting portraits of animals in historical costume for some time,” explains New Yorker Kim. “I've taken some familiar and beloved characters whose demeanour, personality, and appearance seemed to translate to certain breeds of dog or cat. 'I got to thinking about Mr Bates' character and storyline, and Brendan Coyle's facial structure, and how he could look hard but also had the warmest, kindest eyes.
A Romanian photographer has captured the unique patterns of hundreds of human eyes in a series of striking macro shots .
STRETCHING his little legs in the air, a smiley leaf-tailed gecko breaks free from his old, scaly skin .
Pouncing down on top of his twin brother, these two snow leopard cubs practice their kung-fu moves .
A DETERMINED great blue heron holds on tightly to its prey as the furry gopher attempts to wriggle free .
THIS may look like a dolphin through jumping hoops, but it is in fact nothing more than a clever 3D pencil drawing .
Balanced on one leg, a frog assumes the crane kick martial arts stance made famous in the movie The Karate Kid .
HEART-MELTING shots of a French bulldog and a ten-month-old French baby could be the cutest you’re likely to see .
ROLLING around in the snow, these young brown bears take a break from their play fight to share a tender hug with one another .
SLEEPING within touching distance of wild African animals might not be everyone's idea of a relaxing break .
BRAIDED, sculpted and beaded, these are the eye-catching hairstyles worn by the tribal women of Angola .
SITTING in the middle of a vast desert, an abandoned cinema is still waiting for its first movie to be screened .
