PATTERNS of colourful swirls and twirls of smoke help to create these imaginative spellbinding photographs. The hypnotic and psychedelic images were created by American psychologist Mark Scalco, 49, who refers to his work as 'smokreations'. 'I've always enjoyed the patterns made by kaleidoscopes or some geometric screen-savers,' says Mark, of Durham, North Carolina. 'I remember as a kid looking for shapes in clouds and smoke.
SNUGGLING up against their teddy bears, these baby sloths could easily be mistaken for one of the cuddly toys .
A once bustling gold rush town in Mono County, California now stands completed deserted .
A brave praying mantis makes an unusual friend in an Oriental garden lizard .
A host of websites that are almost twenty years old are collecting a cult following thanks to their retro appeal .
With luminous colours and alien- like features, these magical mushrooms look like they belong on another planet .
LUMINOUS green rocks could easily be a beach from Superman's homeland of Krypton .
SPLASHING around in a paddling pool, this little elephant soaks up the sunshine .
LYING back in the snow, these two polar bears share a cuddle as they call time out on playtime .
An Australian beach is illuminated by an enticing neon blue glow as a rare phenomenon lights up the water .
PERCHING on the edge of a flower, these loved-up caterpillars can't resist each other as they enjoy a romantic moment together .
A Romanian photographer has captured the unique patterns of hundreds of human eyes in a series of striking macro shots .
HOPPING onto the scales, these adorable baby Humboldt penguins are ready for their first weigh-in .