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, a hungry white-tailed kite prepares to snatch a vole from his mother’s claws .
A diver explores the crystal clear waters of the Silfra canyon in southern Iceland, which is the only place on Earth where you can dive or snorkel between two continental plates .
RACING down the slopes in her tiny ski gear, this TWO-YEAR-OLD girl has already mastered the art of skiing .
A British jewellery designer with a passion for London's iconic Gherkin has created a pen with an INK-REDIBLE price tag of £27,500 .
THIS is the fascinating abandoned house, complete with mystery portraits and homely items, that has been dubbed - crooked cottage .
STARING intently into the camera, a polar bear appears to be lost in thought while relaxing in the snow .
WITH A LITTLE cap of fresh snow resting on his head, this squirrel tries his best to pull off his new look .
A GLOWING range of greens and blues sweep across the sky in a spectacular display of light .
A chipmunk, with his cheeks full to bursting, has no intention of leaving with an empty stomach .
EXPERTLY camouflaged, this clever panther chameleon knows how to catch its prey by surprise .
Throwing their arms up in the air, these energetic squirrels play a game of ball with a walnut .