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 curious red squirrel takes a break from collecting nuts and tries her hand at photography .
Splashing around in the water, a mother otter and her son are tangled in a family feud .
Animal rescue volunteers have told how a cat riddled with cancer was forced to ripped off its own ears after it was abandoned by its owners .
THIS BIGFOOT 'Jesus bird' may look silly, but he's perfectly designed for walking on water .
YOU’VE heard of the northern lights now feast your eyes on the natural wonder of the SOUTHERN lights .
Raising his arms above his head and lying flat on his back, a polar bear stretches as he sprawls out across the ice .
Complete with core, mantle and crust, these incredible planet cakes are truly out of this world .
A Romanian photographer has captured the unique patterns of hundreds of human eyes in a series of striking macro shots .
This frozen lighthouse in Michigan could easily be mistaken for a still from the snow swept disaster movie The Day After Tomorrow .
THROWING himself off 1,100ft bridges in a wheelchair, this is the PARALYSED base jumper who knows no fear .
A soap bubble lands on the frosty ground and creates a shimmering snow globe as crystals form around it .
THIS is the EXPLOSIVE moment when a 50 metre high pylon came crashing down to earth in a rural field .