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 trout manages to escape the jaws of a hungry cormorant - only to find itself back inside the bird's long beak .
A soap bubble lands on the frosty ground and creates a shimmering snow globe as crystals form around it .
HUDDLED together in the hollow of a tree, it would be easy to overlook these two sleepy owls as they blend into the trunk .
TRYING their best to wriggle away, three adorable tiger cubs receive their health checks at Chester Zoo .
A SHOCKING cartoon of a black man carrying bags saying‘’zippadydoohdah zip-up immigrant bags’ has appeared in a shop window and is being investigated by police .
WITH the phosphorescent blobs and mesmerising patterns, these spectacular images may look like the hall marks of an enchanted forest but it is in fact the scene of thousands of dancing FIREFLIES .
A quiet Himalayan mountain village springs to life for a colourful Buddhist festival designed to expel evil spirits and bring happiness .
Beautiful turquoise waves rise and fall in a series of stunning images taken along the coastline of south-eastern Australia .
THIS BIGFOOT 'Jesus bird' may look silly, but he's perfectly designed for walking on water .
PUSHING the diver out of his way, this little sea turtle shows he’s not in the mood for photographs .
With the full moon looming behind him, this polar bear nestles down for the night .
DASHING through the snow, this little stoat is on the lookout for a Christmas feast .