STAR-TI-LING: 40,000 STARLINGS MIMIC HITCHCOCK'S THE BIRDS- This could be the fearsome scene from Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds as a flock of 40,000 starlings bask in the heat of a wonderful British sunset. The extraordinary light and shadows echoes the 1960s hit film as huge numbers of the birds appear ready to descend and attack earth below. Fortunately it was actually a far more peaceful setting on Brighton Pier as the amazing murmuration of the birds gathered around the coastline of the seaside resort. They swooped around in the winter sun in February this year, as captured by Hove based photographer Alan Mackenzie. He said despite the large numbers of birds, they have dramatically dwindled in recent decades.Alan, 32, said: "Moments like this make me proud to live on such a beautiful planet and appreciative of the fact that, as a human living in the modern world, I am privileged enough to observe it all
HUDDLED together on a branch, a pair of adorable Javan scops owls soak up the sun .
FROM THE world famous Girl with a Pearl Earring painting to a jaguar in the grass, these incredible drawings are created from coloured ballpoint pens .
MEET the underwater British seal who is so friendly he loves to grapple divers like a friendly puppy dog .
A pair of BEAUTIFUL rescue sea turtles spot their catch in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef .
An Australian beach is illuminated by an enticing neon blue glow as a rare phenomenon lights up the water .
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 .
A cheeky gorilla sticks her tongue out and plays up for the camera at Bronx Zoo .
A chipmunk, with his cheeks full to bursting, has no intention of leaving with an empty stomach .
A young mum has told how a phantom pregnancy almost destroyed her dream of having a second child .
COVERING themselves in ash and face paint, these are the holy men who live their lives away from everyday society .
SAT happily on the branch of a tree, this little frog appears unfazed by a surprise visitor .