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.
A doting seal smiles at her sweet little pup as she tickles its tummy on the beach .
IN a galaxy not so far away lies a magical display of lights that could be the latest image from NASA .
From the rolling hills of the Brecon Beacons to the still waters in the Lake District, these photographs capture autumnal landscapes across Great Britain perfectly .
ARMED with her camera, bikini and flippers, this brave diver goes swimming with SHARKS .
Swirling water and sand create amazing aerial images of river deltas across Iceland .
These uninvited guests ELEPHANTLY make their annual trip through the reception of this welcoming lodge .
THIS is the shocking moment a clumsy radio newsreader plunged into a freezing canal while texting her boyfriend instead of looking where she was going .
AT 4,800 metres high and just three metres wide, this is the most dangerous road in the world .
GIANT garden sculptures don't beat about the bush .
SHOVELLING food into his mouth, this hungry gorilla enjoys a peaceful moment at dinner time .
Gigantic 100ft waves create the perfect playground for dare-devil surfers from across the world .