WITH a paw in the air and his tongue hanging from his mouth, it is clear to see that this little groundhog is struggling to wake up and leave behind the comfort of his burrow. The groundhog takes a moment to stretch before quickly becoming aware that he's not alone. The adorable scene was captured in the Tonale Pass, a high mountain pass in Trentino Alto Adige, Italy, by freelance photographer Maurizio Lancini. The 39-year-old, of Rodengo Saiano, Brescia, Italy, says:"I spotted the entrance to the burrow so decided to hide nearby and wait for the groundhog to appear.
Primed and ready for action, this collection of striking images from the battlefield could be mistaken for authentic photos taking during World War II .
SAILING peacefully across a river in the early morning light, a fisherman in China keeps a 1000 year old tradition alive .
CARRYING a fully grown goat on his back, this five-year-old boy is a child shepherd in the mountains of northern Ethiopia .
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 .
This starling and prairie dog will not back down an inch as they have a fearsome stand-off over who gets to eat a nut .
STAIRWAY obsessed photographers have captured psychedelic shots that will mesmerise you .
MESMERIZING night sky photographs offer a spellbinding look at the stars .
MASKED intruders look sinister but really they are a gang of urban exploring pranksters .