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.
STARING intently into the camera, a polar bear appears to be lost in thought while relaxing in the snow .
BEHIND the doors of this building, with its stacks of mattresses and discarded remains of wheelchairs, lies another victim of austerity cuts .
SLEEPING within touching distance of wild African animals might not be everyone's idea of a relaxing break .
CAUSING a splash, this determined kingfisher goes hunting for dinner .
HUDDLING under a leaf, a pair of adorable Javan scops owls take shelter from the rain .
A BAMBI was dramatically caught in mid-air by a greedy Nile crocodile in a once-in-a-million flying pincer move .
SHOVELLING food into his mouth, this hungry gorilla enjoys a peaceful moment at dinner time .
These are the amazing close up pictures of North Korea's mass games - after photographers were previously banned from taking shots so close to the dazzling formation dances .
