LYING back in the snow, these two polar bears share a cuddle as they call time out on playtime. The brother and sister embrace with a friendly hug, as they catch their breath after a busy afternoon. These adorable photographs were captured by Russian photographer Alexey Tishchenko, 43, after his love of wildlife and nature led him into photography. Pictured in Churchill, Canada, these images capture the cute relationship between these two bears perfectly. 'These young polar bears are brother and sister,' explains Alexey.
AN ADORABLE one-eyed kitten has been dubbed the 'pirate cat' because of his pirate-like facial expressions .
POWERFUL bolts of lightning illuminate the night sky in an incredible autumn storm over the Sardinian coastline .
WITH A wide smile plastered across his face, this little gecko is ready for his close up .
Jostling their quills into the noses of some unlucky cubs, this is the moment two feisty porcupines ALMOST defeat a pride of seven lions .
What lies beneath this building site? Britain's great hope of winning the pre-WW2 arms race against Nazi Germany .
ROLLING around in the snow, these young brown bears take a break from their play fight to share a tender hug with one another .
Playing, splashing and generally messing around, these polar bears show they certainly have a soft spot for the water, and not just each other .
A young otter wades through a lake with his eyes set on an older rival’s fish .
A brave praying mantis makes an unusual friend in an Oriental garden lizard .
ROLLING up snow in its tiny paws, this little squirrel is looking for a snowball fight .
Grandmother Janet Kirby was told she couldn't board her plane home after being accused of assault .
The aurora lights captured in Blair Nebraska, America - WITH electrifying purple and illuminous green brightening up the night sky, this is the rare moment a flash of 'sprite' lightening was captured on camera .