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
A puppy bit off more than he could chew when he stole a six inch Chinese spare rib from his owner and swallowed it WHOLE, Cheeky Staffordshire bull terrier Rossi had his life SPARED when he underwent a life-saving operation to remove the bone from his stomach after swiping part of the takeaway meal .
GIANT garden sculptures don't beat about the bush .
BASKING in smug satisfaction, a confident squirrel gives a wink to the camera .
Surveying its surroundings, a tiny harvest mouse climbs the stem of a dandelion .
THIS is the awesome moment an Osprey catches its prey travelling at 50mph, giving new meaning to FAST FOOD .
PERCHING on top of a gate, this young barn swallow waits patiently for his mum to return with dinner .
ROLLING around in the snow, these young brown bears take a break from their play fight to share a tender hug with one another .
ARM extended and head flung back, this little chipmunk performs a loose-limbed yoga move .
A Romanian photographer has captured the unique patterns of hundreds of human eyes in a series of striking macro shots .
Dogs catch waves at the Coronado Bay dog surf championships Saturday 22nd June 2013- DOG SURFING mutts have never looked so gnarly .
A brave leopard kicks back and relaxes in the sunshine - just inches from an enormous crocodile .
BEHIND the doors of this building, with its stacks of mattresses and discarded remains of wheelchairs, lies another victim of austerity cuts .