PERCHED on a branch, this Little Owl plays third wheel to two love birds. Clearly not bothered by their uncomfortable onlooker, the owls pucker up and put on a very public display of affection. This trio of Little Owls were photographed by Uzbek photographer Ilia Shalamaev, 36, after he spotted the scene on a trip to the town of Kiryat Gat, Israel. “Here you can see a family of owls playing and having fun on a branch, not far from their nesting place,” says Ilia, now of Beit Hashmonay, Israel.
A baby sperm whale assumed the role of a friendly giant when faced with two awestruck divers .
A once bustling gold rush town in Mono County, California now stands completed deserted .
A puppy bit off more than he could chew when he stole a six inch Chinese spare rib from his owner and swallowed it WHOLE, Cheeky Staffordshire bull terrier Rossi had his life SPARED when he underwent a life-saving operation to remove the bone from his stomach after swiping part of the takeaway meal .
TRYING their best to wriggle away, three adorable tiger cubs receive their health checks at Chester Zoo .
HIDDEN in the middle of the Mojave Desert, a secret oasis awaits intrepid travellers .
CLINGING onto nothing but ice, this brave climber reaches heights of 1000 FEET as he scales frozen solid waterfalls .
A trout manages to escape the jaws of a hungry cormorant - only to find itself back inside the bird's long beak .
A little brown bear cub shows his doting mum that she is always on parent duty as he uses her as a scratching post .
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 .
A Brit photographer has captured one of the world's most camera-shy species of fish - during a game of underwater peek-a-boo .
A SERENE turquoise glow glimmers from underneath these powerful icebergs .
With their guts spewing and eyes hanging out, these are the cuddly toys children might be reluctant to curl up to .