These are the fascinating pictures of miniature table sculptures molded around bonsai trees that take up to a painstaking 18 months to create. Japanese illustrator Takanori Aiba, 58, has built the intriguing scale models of windmills, lighthouses and even the Michelin Man.He delicately uses craft paper, plaster, acrylic resin, paint and plastic to create the host of sprawling miniature communities that wrap around the tiny trees.Following his work as an illustrator for Japanese fashion magazine POPYE he has spent the last nine years producing the detailed mini worlds.The creations take at least three months to construct with his Ice Cream Package Tower taking an astonishing 18 months work. Since 2003, he has made eight models, with 10 more planned over the next few years.
Like a scene from a fairytale, THOUSANDS of fireflies create an enchanting glow as they dance in a forest .
HIDDEN in the middle of the Mojave Desert, a secret oasis awaits intrepid travellers .
A woman brutally beaten in a revenge attack has slammed the soft sentence handed to her assailant .
Sprawled out on top of a log, this sleeping leopard takes a relaxing break from his daily routine .
WITH A LITTLE cap of fresh snow resting on his head, this squirrel tries his best to pull off his new look .
Here's a APPY solution that should brighten up a wet weekend away camping - a wood powered stove that also recharges your smartphone .
POWERFUL bolts of lightning illuminate the night sky in an incredible autumn storm over the Sardinian coastline .
This brave Hyena finally catches his pray among the thousands of flamingos, Lake Nakuru, Kenya - OUTNUMBERED among thousands of flamingos, this bold hyena is not put off from hunting for a morning snack .
MESMERIZING night sky photographs offer a spellbinding look at the stars .
A SERENE turquoise glow glimmers from underneath these powerful icebergs .
A rare manuscript of one of Charlotte Bronte’s earliest poems went under the hammer today and fetched nearly £100,000 – double what it was expected to get .