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.
LEAPING through the air this determined little mouse is on a mission for food .
Lying angelically with a range of expressions etched on their tiny faces, little bundles of joy are innocently captured in their first few days in these adorable photographs .
With luminous colours and alien- like features, these magical mushrooms look like they belong on another planet .
PERCHING on top of a gate, this young barn swallow waits patiently for his mum to return with dinner .
PERCHED on a branch, this Little Owl plays third wheel to two love birds .
LYING flat out on his back, this little meerkat makes the most of the English sunshine .
HOTSPOT MEDIA - BACK TO THE FUTURE WITH AR' KID: A POSTAL SORTER has perfected the art of time travel by delivering images that are from the past .
SWIMMING slowly towards the shore, a small group of bottlenose dolphins arrive for breakfast at a beach in Western Australia .
EXPERTLY camouflaged, this clever panther chameleon knows how to catch its prey by surprise .
SITTING on a burning sofa unable to move, one man turns his terrifying dreams into reality .
The beds are consumed by moss instead of customers at this abandoned hotel .
STARING intently into the camera, a polar bear appears to be lost in thought while relaxing in the snow .