Aurora Australis from Beerbarrel Beach, by James Stone. Runner Up: Aurorae. (Photo by James Stone/Astronomy Photographer of the Year)

Toby, an 11-year-old German shepherd-husky mix, can hold almost anything on his head that his owner, Pat Langner, can think up, including balls, Christmas trees, and even the ingredients for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. He also shows remarkable self-restraint by not immediately gobbling down the food that his owner gives him to balance. Here: Toby balances halloween decorations on his head. (Photo by Pat Langer/Caters News Agency)

A Syrian man sells vegetables in front of a damaged tank in Homs, on December 20, 2024. Islamist-led rebels took Damascus in a lightning offensive on December 8, ousting president Bashar al-Assad and ending five decades of Baath rule in Syria. (Photo by Sameer Al-Doumy/AFP Photo)

Two hippopotamus are fed with pumpkins at the Hanoi Zoo, in Hanoi, Vietnam, 25 October 2018. The zoo has been the home for more than 800 animals of over 90 different species, including three hippopotamus, since it was built in 1976. (Photo by Luong Thai Linh/EPA/EFE)

International photographic competition, which runs in association with the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, London, awards special prize for the best close-up images. Here: Winner – Mayflies by Petar Sabol, Goričan, Croatia. (Photo by Sabol Petar/International Garden Photographer of the Year)

A creative mother has come up with a novel way of making sure her children eat their breakfasts – by using eggs to make works of art. Sculpted into a variety of extraordinary designs, culinary genius, Anne Widya, uses sunny side up eggs to make sure her children's plates are always cleared. Here: Annes egg art a smiling pig standing on a tower of toast with a sushi roll apron. (Photo by Anne Widya/Caters News)

A Japanese white-eye is seen on a branch of cherry blossoms at Kyoto Imperial Palace on March 26, 2010 in Kyoto, Japan. (Photo by Akihiro I/Getty Images)