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 trout manages to escape the jaws of a hungry cormorant - only to find itself back inside the bird's long beak .
BLOWING bubbles underwater, this adorable polar bear slides into his tank for a playful dip .
ARM extended and head flung back, this little chipmunk performs a loose-limbed yoga move .
From vibrant blues to dazzling oranges, these eye catching hummingbirds proudly show off their impressive colours .
SNUGGLED up in the hay away from the elements, this adorable hoglet has sought solace with a familiar friend .
It’s a role reversal in the Visayan Sea as HUNDREDS of tiny, glistening eggs are carried around inside the mouth of their cardinalfish father .
SPURTING water 20ft into the air, this is one well you wouldn't want to dip your bucket into .
THIS incredible shimmer of silver fish mirrors the image of that of an underwater tornado .
MEET the underwater British seal who is so friendly he loves to grapple divers like a friendly puppy dog .
From squids to Star Wars, these flipping marvellous creations are pancake portraits .
These adorable pictures show the moment two cuddly red panda cubs take their first look at the outside world and are weighed for the very first time .
SHOVELLING food into his mouth, this hungry gorilla enjoys a peaceful moment at dinner time .