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.'
SQUEEZING their furry faces through a hole in a tree, a trio of curious baby squirrels leave their nest for the first time to explore their surroundings .
IN a galaxy not so far away lies a magical display of lights that could be the latest image from NASA .
With luminous colours and alien- like features, these magical mushrooms look like they belong on another planet .
SPLASHING around in a paddling pool, this little elephant soaks up the sunshine .
A couple have tied the knot in a spectacular Harry Potter-themed wedding which cost £45,000 .
A DETERMINED great blue heron holds on tightly to its prey as the furry gopher attempts to wriggle free .
An Indonesian farmer is dragged through muddy water as he clings to the tails of two charging cows .
IN a galaxy far, far away, this collection of stunning interstellar formations will leave you STARSTRUCK .
In the calm waters of Greenland, gigantic icebergs dwarf everything around them .
DASHING through the snow, this little stoat is on the lookout for a Christmas feast .
A mining town in Australia’s outback appears to be completely deserted, but its residents have escaped the scorching heat by living in underground caves .
Pouncing down on top of his twin brother, these two snow leopard cubs practice their kung-fu moves .