FROM ICE bubbles to boiling lava, these photographs highlight the stunning shapes and patterns found in nature. The series of extraordinary images were taken by German software engineer Thorsten Scheuermann after he decided to examine his surroundings. A trip to the city of Kalapana in Hawaii, home to the Kilauea Volcano, provided Thorsten with the setting for his lava picture, while a visit to the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon offered him the opportunity to photograph ice bubbles up-close. The 37-year-old, now of Washington, USA, said: 'These are sights that can gain greater significance and have their beauty exposed when excluding everything else around them.'
A chipmunk, with his cheeks full to bursting, has no intention of leaving with an empty stomach .
Beautiful turquoise waves rise and fall in a series of stunning images taken along the coastline of south-eastern Australia .
An Australian beach is illuminated by an enticing neon blue glow as a rare phenomenon lights up the water .
A Canadian couple celebrated their engagement by recreating iconic moments from the film The Notebook .
An intrepid explorer hopes to be reunited with his travel partner, after his cuddly toy companion was stolen .
WITH a paw in the air and his tongue hanging from his mouth, it is clear to see that this little groundhog is struggling to wake up and leave behind the comfort of his burrow .
DASHING through the snow, this little stoat is on the lookout for a Christmas feast .
When couples talk about wanting a white wedding, few will be referring to getting hitched on a glacier sat on top of an active volcano .
SNEAKING slowly into the water, this Bengal tiger plans a vicious attack on three unsuspecting deer .
A young orangutan comes over all shy as she hides her face behind a broken bucket .
PERCHING on the edge of a flower, these loved-up caterpillars can't resist each other as they enjoy a romantic moment together .
A Romanian photographer has captured the unique patterns of hundreds of human eyes in a series of striking macro shots .