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.
A proud gorilla mum welcomes her newborn baby western lowland gorilla, a critically endangered species .
MEET the underwater British seal who is so friendly he loves to grapple divers like a friendly puppy dog .
SURROUNDED by a snowstorm, these young polar bears battle the elements - as well as each other .
AN ITALIAN mechanic has created the world’s most ferocious mini-car .
LEAPING for joy five-feet above the waves this baby whale cutie is saying HELLO to its family after being lost .
BLOWING bubbles underwater, this adorable polar bear slides into his tank for a playful dip .
An Italian photographer travelled to northern India where he visited poverty stricken suburbs and captured ordinary people in a series of intimate and expressive portraits .
With the full moon looming behind him, this polar bear nestles down for the night .
A blanket of fog is lit up by the colourful glowing lights of the city below .
A carefree bear cub reclines in the water with his feet raised in the air .
A woman has shed half her body weight after undergoing a gastric sleeve op to shrink her stomach .