A teenage girl nicknamed 'spotty dog' by school bullies has embraced the hundreds of birthmarks that cover her entire face and body. 19-year-old Ciera Swaringen, of Rockwell, North Carolina, USA was born with mole-like birthmarks that spread from her head to her toes. Ciera's rare skin condition affects just one in 500,000 people and covers 70 percent of her body - with the largest mark stretching from her lower thighs to her navel. Since a child, the pretty teen has endured cruel taunts from strangers, but has now grown to love her unique appearance. She says: “Teenage boys are usually the first ones to comment when they see me. “They say things like, ‘You look like you’re dirty, take a wash.’
BALANCING on top of a tree, this bear cub puts her climbing skills to the test .
This frozen lighthouse in Michigan could easily be mistaken for a still from the snow swept disaster movie The Day After Tomorrow .
An osprey soars through the air at 30 miles per hour before swooping down to catch its prey from a lake .
An amputee who was cruelly nicknamed 'peg-leg' by school bullies has conquered her insecurities to become a model .
HOTSPOT MEDIA - FUNKY BUMP: FROM MIRROR bellies to rainbow bumps these pregnancy casts of stone and bronze could be the funkiest way to preserve your bump for posterity .
Tina O’Brien, 54, from East Midlands, met Frederick Allchorne, now 62, when she was 15 .
A quiet Himalayan mountain village springs to life for a colourful Buddhist festival designed to expel evil spirits and bring happiness .
FROM ICE bubbles to boiling lava, these photographs highlight the stunning shapes and patterns found in nature .
A SPECTRUM of colours fills the sky during this spectacular and natural display of light .
AN OLD ENGLISH cottage packed full of history and valuables has been left to rot .
STARING eagerly into the camera, this little toad is full of curiosity .