High up in the mountains and thousands of feet off the ground, a party of climbers were in for a shock as they came face to face with this frightening leap of faith. These daunting photographs were captured by Italian photographer Nicola Bombassei, 38, after he unexpectedly stumbled across the 3,000 meter high drop, at Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Italy. 'The drop should have been fitted with a big wooden board over it, so that climbers can pass the cleft easily,' said Nicola. 'But when we arrived we couldn't find the board anywhere, and it was never an option not to complete the climb, so we had no choice but to take on the jump.
A BEAUTIFUL sight for the eyes and the imagination, these liquid sculptures take shape in many different colours and formations .
These adorable pictures show the moment two cuddly red panda cubs take their first look at the outside world and are weighed for the very first time .
WIDE EYED with a huge smile across her face, this little elephant is a picture of happiness .
A photographer from the United Arab Emirates travelled to Pakistan where he captured the lives of local people in a series of expressive portraits .
DIVING down at a speed of 75mph, this is the moment a hungry osprey caught his prey .
STARING intently into the camera, a polar bear appears to be lost in thought while relaxing in the snow .
PAWS for thought as you feast your eyes on this rare bear bathing session .
THIS ONE of a kind experience brings a whole new meaning to the phrase 'a coffee to go' .
EAGERLY BITING his nails, this little squirrel is clearly nervous of looming predators as he searches for his meal .
A BLIND man was battered with a brick in a sickening attack by two thugs .
SAT with his arms folded and a cross look on his face, this Gorilla looks like he's had enough of the Christmas holidays already .
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 .