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
SOARING through the air, this is the moment a hungry tawny owl arrives home with dinner .
Enjoying life’s little pleasures is something that many struggle to do .
A BIKINI swim with jellyfish sounds like the most painful past-time on the planet .
A lazy tree frog, tired of hopping along a branch, chooses the slowest form of transport when it jumps on top of an unsuspecting snail .
This frozen lighthouse in Michigan could easily be mistaken for a still from the snow swept disaster movie The Day After Tomorrow .
A host of websites that are almost twenty years old are collecting a cult following thanks to their retro appeal .
From vibrant blues to dazzling oranges, these eye catching hummingbirds proudly show off their impressive colours .
A disabled sheep is enjoying a new fleece of life after receiving a specially-designed wheelchair .
Splashing around in the water, a mother otter and her son are tangled in a family feud .
Throwing a right hook as he launches onto his opponent with his gnarling teeth at the ready, this is the OTTER-LY ruthless showdown between two otters .
Beautiful turquoise waves rise and fall in a series of stunning images taken along the coastline of south-eastern Australia .
FROM A mini table and chairs to a detailed violin, it’s hard to believe these incredible sculptures are all carved into the nib of PENCILS .