Heart pounding, Rebecca Cain jumped as a car door slammed on the street outside. Alone at home, the 24-year-old hid behind drawn curtains and refused to answer the phone. It had been days since she'd ventured out to see her mates and even the sight of a new text had her on edge. For months, Rebecca was a nervous wreck - all because of her ex-boyfriend.
A grey whale and her calf greet an audience of awestruck admirers on the Pacific coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico .
From a platter of finger licking chicken wings to a bowl of Chinese noodle soup, these foodie snaps are enough to make your savoury saliva glands drool .
WIDE EYED and staring straight down the lens of the camera, this intrigued seal is ready for his close up .
FLYING through the air, these delighted pooches pull their best poses mid-flight .
PERCHING on top of a gate, this young barn swallow waits patiently for his mum to return with dinner .
SWIMMING next to 40 tonne whales, dare-devil divers take the plunge with these gentle giants of the sea .
LIKE A living balloon this baitball of sardines is ready to burst when threatened by a pointy nosed sailfish .
ARMED with her camera, bikini and flippers, this brave diver goes swimming with SHARKS .
These are the faces of orphans suffering from the horrifying effects of chemical warfare .
With one hand rested on his belly and the other propping his head up, this lazy lizard takes an afternoon break .
Sitting all alone on drift ice in the Arctic Ocean, this lonely little fella looks lost .
An osprey soars through the air at 30 miles per hour before swooping down to catch its prey from a lake .