A manatee makes the most of his underwater guests by rolling onto his back for a belly rub. The manatee appears apprehensive at first, but he soon cosies up to the divers. The photographs were taken by marine biologist Andrew Pearson in Crystal River, Florida at the Crystal River Wildlife Refuge. The 32 year old photographer, of Southampton, says: ‘We spent several days snorkelling with wild manatees.
A chipmunk, with his cheeks full to bursting, has no intention of leaving with an empty stomach .
A diving guide leaves a shark completely docile and balanced in the palm of his hand .
ALL IS not as it seems in these deceptive cityscapes .
A hungry hippo is seconds away from catching a bird in its gigantic jaws .
With luminous colours and alien- like features, these magical mushrooms look like they belong on another planet .
Going for long rides through vast fields together, this twosome share an unbreakable bond .
MAKING himself at home, this little snail perches happily on top of this frog's head .
A pair of BEAUTIFUL rescue sea turtles spot their catch in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef .
MASKED intruders look sinister but really they are a gang of urban exploring pranksters .
ROLLING around in the snow, these young brown bears take a break from their play fight to share a tender hug with one another .
A baby sperm whale assumed the role of a friendly giant when faced with two awestruck divers .
A grey whale and her calf greet an audience of awestruck admirers on the Pacific coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico .