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
In the calm waters of Greenland, gigantic icebergs dwarf everything around them .
SKIPPING on the spot, an adorable little owl embraces the 'running man' challenge .
If you had to scrape the snow off your car this morning or slip-slide your way into work over icy pavements spare a thought for these little critters .
A baby sperm whale assumed the role of a friendly giant when faced with two awestruck divers .
LUMINOUS green rocks could easily be a beach from Superman's homeland of Krypton .
WITHOUT A care in the world, this little snow monkey puts his feet up and settles in for a snooze .
SQUABBLING over the last piece of grain, these hungry squirrels are determined to stock up on as much food as possible .
MOUTH OPEN wide, this little stoat appears to be in mid-song as he belts out a tune for his onlookers .
SURROUNDED by a snowstorm, these young polar bears battle the elements - as well as each other .
THEIR gnarling teeth at the ready, these two baboons fight it out for the last piece of fruit .
Daniel Blore, 21, of Innage Crescent, Bridgnorth, stabbed his mother three times in the attack on January 11 this year, Stafford Crown Court heard .
