STAR-TI-LING: 40,000 STARLINGS MIMIC HITCHCOCK'S THE BIRDS- This could be the fearsome scene from Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds as a flock of 40,000 starlings bask in the heat of a wonderful British sunset. The extraordinary light and shadows echoes the 1960s hit film as huge numbers of the birds appear ready to descend and attack earth below. Fortunately it was actually a far more peaceful setting on Brighton Pier as the amazing murmuration of the birds gathered around the coastline of the seaside resort. They swooped around in the winter sun in February this year, as captured by Hove based photographer Alan Mackenzie. He said despite the large numbers of birds, they have dramatically dwindled in recent decades.Alan, 32, said: "Moments like this make me proud to live on such a beautiful planet and appreciative of the fact that, as a human living in the modern world, I am privileged enough to observe it all
BRAIDED, sculpted and beaded, these are the eye-catching hairstyles worn by the tribal women of Angola .
SHOVELLING food into his mouth, this hungry gorilla enjoys a peaceful moment at dinner time .
This is the amazing moment two white-tailed kites take an in-flight meal - exchanging prey at 100 foot high in mid air .
From a floating jelly fish to a relaxed seal, Britain’s unappreciated beach life is captured above and below the water .
NEVER mind being careful not to choke on your food, this mother bird has a bigger challenge on her hands, as her ravenous offspring impatiently launches its head down into her stomach .
THIS alien-like bug would look more at home in outer-space but it can actually be found wriggling around here on Earth .
An Australian beach is illuminated by an enticing neon blue glow as a rare phenomenon lights up the water .
THIS incredible shimmer of silver fish mirrors the image of that of an underwater tornado .
WRAPPED up in classy headscarves, these adorable pooches are the picture of sophistication .
A photographer has captured spellbinding images of stars swirling above the English countryside .
SQUABBLING over the last piece of grain, these hungry squirrels are determined to stock up on as much food as possible .
A kingfisher’s bright blue and orange feathers glisten in the sunlight as the bird dives into a lake .