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
At first glance what might look like ordinary rusty bridge and road railings, are in fact amazing works of art .
Like a scene from a fairytale, THOUSANDS of fireflies create an enchanting glow as they dance in a forest .
A mischievous fox cub demonstrates his playful side by biting his sibling’s tail .
A northern potoo shows it is a master of disguise as it perches on a tree stump and blends into the bark .
YOU’VE heard of the northern lights now feast your eyes on the natural wonder of the SOUTHERN lights .
SWIMMING in unison, millions of silverside fish dwarf the divers .
WELCOME to the Temple of Zoom where you can “experience” sliding down a Mayan temple into shark infested waters .
SWIMMING next to 40 tonne whales, dare-devil divers take the plunge with these gentle giants of the sea .
From giant mountains to vast deserts, an American photographer spent a year capturing the diverse and beautiful landscape of the United States .
Balanced on one leg, a frog assumes the crane kick martial arts stance made famous in the movie The Karate Kid .
With the full moon looming behind him, this polar bear nestles down for the night .
The aurora lights captured in Blair Nebraska, America - WITH electrifying purple and illuminous green brightening up the night sky, this is the rare moment a flash of 'sprite' lightening was captured on camera .