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
HUNDREDS of colour coordinated yarns lie abandoned in this once thriving textile mill .
BASKING in smug satisfaction, a confident squirrel gives a wink to the camera .
PEACE and love filled the 1980’s Glastonbury fields as relaxed festival goers kicked back and soaked up the atmosphere .
SAILING peacefully across a river in the early morning light, a fisherman in China keeps a 1000 year old tradition alive .
A hungry hippo is seconds away from catching a bird in its gigantic jaws .
LYING back in the snow, these two polar bears share a cuddle as they call time out on playtime .
Peering curiously into a basket hanging off the arms of a snowman, this little squirrel appears fascinated by the snowy figure .
A diving guide leaves a shark completely docile and balanced in the palm of his hand .
A SPECTACULAR array of stars fills the night sky as they soar over this active volcano .
STRIKING photos capture nature at its most raw and powerful during Earth’s most electrifying event .
What lies beneath this building site? Britain's great hope of winning the pre-WW2 arms race against Nazi Germany .
