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
This tranquil setting stretches for miles as the sun sets behind the mountain .
THIS is the EXPLOSIVE moment when a 50 metre high pylon came crashing down to earth in a rural field .
BASKING in smug satisfaction, a confident squirrel gives a wink to the camera .
Armed with a snorkel, flippers and her skimpy bikini, an intrepid female free diver swims alongside an array of reef sharks .
An intrepid explorer hopes to be reunited with his travel partner, after his cuddly toy companion was stolen .
This longhorn beetle demon-strates a dark side as it looks just like the devil .
A diver looks like a minnow as she swims alongside a gigantic whale shark, the largest species of fish on the planet .
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 .
When couples talk about wanting a white wedding, few will be referring to getting hitched on a glacier sat on top of an active volcano .
WHETHER FLOATING through space or diving underwater, a lucky baby boy enjoys once in a life time experiences - in his DREAMS .
STARING eagerly into the camera, this little toad is full of curiosity .
A SPECTRUM of colours fills the sky during this spectacular and natural display of light .