WITH the phosphorescent blobs and mesmerising patterns, these spectacular images may look like the hall marks of an enchanted forest but it is in fact the scene of thousands of dancing FIREFLIES. The luminous green lights that glow from the insects help to give the impression of an extract from a fairy-tale. The magical photographs were taken by photographer Takaaki Ishikawa, 55, on a trip to Nagoya City in Japan. 'Fireflies are very delicate creatures, so it is important to not catch or disturb them,' said Takaaki
FINALLY catching a meal, a pair of great white egrets fight over their dinner .
A lively lemon shark grins into the camera and showcases his impressive teeth .
ARMED with her camera, bikini and flippers, this brave diver goes swimming with SHARKS .
It's incredible to think anyone could live in such horrendous squalor - yet two men have been prosecuted for keeping their homes in such revolting conditions that it was no longer fit for their animals .
Playing, splashing and generally messing around, these polar bears show they certainly have a soft spot for the water, and not just each other .
IN THE not so MISTY MOUNTAINS of Wiltshire, there lies an abandoned hobbit house .
NEW DELHI, A woman activist of India's main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party crosses a police barricade near the residence of ruling Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi during a protest against the recent rape of a five-year-old girl in New Delhi, India, April 21, 2013 .
SWIMMING next to 40 tonne whales, dare-devil divers take the plunge with these gentle giants of the sea .
STARING intently into the camera, a polar bear appears to be lost in thought while relaxing in the snow .
An Australian beach is illuminated by an enticing neon blue glow as a rare phenomenon lights up the water .
A quiet Himalayan mountain village springs to life for a colourful Buddhist festival designed to expel evil spirits and bring happiness .
MOUTH OPEN wide, this little stoat appears to be in mid-song as he belts out a tune for his onlookers .