These stunning images could be mistaken for a cheetah ravenously chasing down a dog, but in fact, the pair are best of friends. Savanah, the one-and-a-half-year-old cheetah and Max, who is just a few weeks younger, were put together when Savanah was just 10-weeks-old. Ever since, their friendship has amazed visitors at Cincinatti Zoo, who are delighted but confused as to why the spotted beast hasnt eaten the dashing hound. So, when it snowed, Savanah and Max just like young children were very excitable and wasted no time playing in the snow. (Photo by Caters News Agency)

“Hey! I'm Thomas Shahan, an artist and macrophotographer from Oklahoma. In my spare time over the past few years, I've been shooting portraiture of local arthropods. Why would I devote countless hours to tramping through forests, fields and the like searching for insects and spiders? Well, despite some common beliefs, arthropods (members of the phylum Arthropoda – insects, spiders, crustaceans...) represent an endlessly varied, wildly beautiful and fascinating bunch of animals with surprisingly personable faces and behavior. Often, all it takes is simply inspecting their lives on a closer level to turn repulsion to reverence”. – Thomas Shahan

Photo: Adult Male Jumping Spider at Sunset – Phidippus mystaceus. (Photo by Thomas Shahan; Source: Flickr)

17 people were photographed by Reuters apparently casting ballots at more than one polling station Sunday during Russia’s presidential election in the town of Ust-Djeguta, southern Russia. Many appeared to be state employees, and some showed up in groups and in mini buses bearing the names of state-provided services. Voting twice is a misdemeanour under Russian law and those caught are heavily fined. But when shown these pictures, election commission member Leila Koichuyeva said: “They could be twins”. Here are a few. (Photo by Reuters/Staff)

Internet is filled to the brim with cat pictures and cat videos. It seems that cats became the symbol of the internet. For some unknown reason, cat owners simply love taking pictures of their beloved kitty-cats and posting them on the internet for all to see. Everyone’s cat is special; however, some are more special than others. Take Garfi for example. As soon as you catch his menacing stare, you immediately realize the reason why this kitty became popular. The look he gives you would send shivers down anybody’s spine. Yeah, the look Garfi has is somewhat special, but nothing will compare to the “facial expression” of Tard – the Grumpy Cat! A look that screams – “All is lost! Life has no meaning…”. (Photo by Hulya Ozkok)

The creator of this architectural installation, placed in a deserted alley in the city of Quebec, probably got his inspiration after looking at French fries while being on acid. This might be the reason why Les Astronautes called his creation Delirious Frites (frites is another name for French fries). This colorful installation attracts passersby like a magnet, making everyone want to enter the narrow passage between hundreds of foam noodles. Though it may look peculiar during the day, this installation looks even better during the night. The light, shining from above, creates a lot of shadows as it encounters all the “tendrils” that seemingly grow from the very walls of the buildings. This will leave even the sanest person wondering if he isn’t having a delusion.

Have you ever found something mesmerizing in the beautifully and intricately drawn visages of beasts? Damon Hellandbrand finds it to be true, which is the reason why he depicted each of the zodiac signs in a completely new light. Only their main characteristics remain, such as Cancer`s pincers and Scorpio`s stinger, while everything else was completely altered. Other zodiac signs are recognized by their prominent features, such as Gemini`s two heads, Libra`s symbol of balance that looks like two connected cages, and Sagittarius`s bow. Every picture, when looked at separately, resembles a concept art, taken from a video game. However, their combination forms a horrific, yet mystifying puzzle of Zodiac signs. (Photo by Damon Hellandbrand)

Wim Delvoye is a notorious tattoo artist, who became famous when he started tattooing live pigs. He first began in 1997 and after animal rights activists found out about what he was doing, he had to move to China to continue his business. There is nothing special about the tattoos that Wim Delvoye creates, they look mediocre at best, and the only reason why he’s famous is his acts of animal cruelty. Nevertheless, Wim states that the pigs feel just fine and are well fed and taken care off. Full anesthesia is used to ensure that the pig doesn’t feel pain during the course of the whole procedure. During this time three tattoo artists work on the tattoo simultaneously to complete it as quickly as possible. Skins of those pigs are then sold for as much as £50k a piece.

“A snapshot from mountaineer's life”. Have you ever wondered how does a mountaineer's day start? I will give you a hint: you wake up at 3 am, set the stove, wake up your partner, pretend it is warm, quickly consume a high-calorie breakfast, watch your friends slowly ascending the icy slopes of your dream summit with their tiny head torches glimmering against perfectly blue ice, and hope for the good weather. One would ask: why all this trouble? The answer is easy: for the love of the adventure and the unknown. Location: Chamonix, Haute Savoye, France. (Photo and caption by Kamil Tamiola/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest)

ATTENTION! All pictures are presented in high resolution. To see Hi-Res images – just TWICE click on any picture. In other words, click small picture – opens the BIG picture. Click BIG picture – opens VERY BIG picture.