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.
With luminous colours and alien- like features, these magical mushrooms look like they belong on another planet .
With the vivid red smoke billowing into the sky amid the misty sand dunes, these are the blissful views provided at the break of dawn at a volcano .
CLIMBING, falling and tugging on his weary mum, this little orangutan is up to all kinds of trouble .
Southern England, the south-west and west Wales have been warned to expect more wild weather, with heavy rain and high tides possibly leading to coastal flooding and travel disruption over the weekend .
SAILING peacefully across a river in the early morning light, a fisherman in China keeps a 1000 year old tradition alive .
These are the men with one of the most unpleasant jobs in the world .
15-foot-long great white sharks on the hunt, in False Bay, South Africa - SHOCK and awe pictures of 15-foot-long great whites on the hunt will leave you stunned .
FROM a Kung-Fu professional to a mini incredible hulk, these are the babies you wouldn't want to mess with .
BOXING DAY has come early for this pair of feisty squirrels, as their Christmas party quickly turns sour .
SNUGGLING up against their teddy bears, these baby sloths could easily be mistaken for one of the cuddly toys .
WITH A LITTLE cap of fresh snow resting on his head, this squirrel tries his best to pull off his new look .
AN American accountant has grown the world's biggest MELON and smashed his way into the record books with his mammoth 350 .