A DETERMINED great blue heron holds on tightly to its prey as the furry gopher attempts to wriggle free. With all its tiny might, the rodent manages to pull its paw free from the clutch of the huge heron's beak. This moment was caught by professional photographer Daniel Dietrich, 44, in Point Reyes, California. Daniel, originally of New York, says: “The blue heron first attempted to spear the gopher with its beak while the rodent retreated into its burrow.
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 .
SWIMMING slowly towards the shore, a small group of bottlenose dolphins arrive for breakfast at a beach in Western Australia .
This cheeky chappie is getting into all kinds of monkey business as he enjoys cooling off on a scorching hot day .
A middle spotted woodpecker swoops into her nest and feeds her young in a forest in Trentino, Italy .
SEA LIFE and greenery in one shot show nature at its very best .
An aerial view of flooding in Gloucestershire .
It's incredible to think anyone could live in such horrendous squalor - yet two men have been prosecuted for keeping their homes in such revolting conditions that it was no longer fit for their animals .
SNUGGLING up against their teddy bears, these baby sloths could easily be mistaken for one of the cuddly toys .
WRAPPED up in classy headscarves, these adorable pooches are the picture of sophistication .
THIS RING of fire in the sky is the annular solar eclipse that wowed our cousins down-under .
