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 SPECTRUM of colours fills the sky during this spectacular and natural display of light .
DIPPING his head into the vase of water, this little squirrel takes a refreshing break from an afternoon of eating .
A disabled sheep is enjoying a new fleece of life after receiving a specially-designed wheelchair .
AIRPORT staff have been put on alert after diet pills that come in grenade shaped containers sparked security alerts .
These photographs of extreme weather capture storms furiously rolling across the sky above America .
LOCATIONS bursting with vibrant greens and chestnut browns, these photographs capture the peaceful English countryside in all its glory .
A cheeky owl fancies a game of hide and seek as it peeps out from behind a tree .
A group of shelter dogs showcase their loveable personalities in a series of passport-style photographs - in the hope of finding their forever homes .
STRETCHING his little legs in the air, a smiley leaf-tailed gecko breaks free from his old, scaly skin .
A family of foster carers are facing bankruptcy and homelessness after they signed up to a Government scheme to renovate their house to be used for disabled children's short breaks .
A SERENE turquoise glow glimmers from underneath these powerful icebergs .
BALANCING on top of a tree, this bear cub puts her climbing skills to the test .