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
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 .
POPE MOBBED BY THOUSANDS OF WORSHIPPERS IN RIO - Thousands of worshippers gather to celebrate the Papal visit on Copacabana beach, Rio de Janeiro ,Brazil .
An American black bear mimics John Travolta’s famous Saturday Night Fever dance move by hurling its arm in the air .
THIS may look like a dolphin through jumping hoops, but it is in fact nothing more than a clever 3D pencil drawing .
From squids to Star Wars, these flipping marvellous creations are pancake portraits .
LIKE A living balloon this baitball of sardines is ready to burst when threatened by a pointy nosed sailfish .
CONTRASTING settings reveal some of England’s most beautiful landscapes in all their glory .
Sprawled out on top of a log, this sleeping leopard takes a relaxing break from his daily routine .
This cheeky macaque gets up close and personal as he examines the dental hygiene of his fellow primate .
Complete with core, mantle and crust, these incredible planet cakes are truly out of this world .
