Long-eared owl chicks sit on a spruce branch in a park near St Petersburg, Russia on March 3, 2025. (Photo by Artem Priakhin/SOPA Images/Rex Features/Shutterstock)

A waitress wearing a protective mask and gloves to curb the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) serves a drink for a customer at the Koral restaurant in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia on August 9, 2021. (Photo by Fikri Yusuf/Antara Foto via Reuters)

People in full medieval armor take part in a combat at Central Park in New York, U.S., August 14, 2021. (Photo by Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)

A blue observation point contrasts with the orange winter foliage of the metasequoia trees – dawn redwoods – at Huanghai Forest Park on the east coast of China in the second decade of December 2024. (Photo by Splash News and Pictures)

A duck swims in a Osterbekkanal during a the rainy autumn afternoon, central Hamburg, Germany 20 November 2017. (Photo by Srdjan Suki/EPA/EFE)

Waves crash over lava as it flows into the ocean near Volcanoes National Park in Kalapana, Hawaii on November 27, 2012. A volcano on Hawaii's largest island is spilling lava into the ocean, creating a rare and spectacular fusion of steam and waves that officials said on Tuesday could attract thrill seeking visitors if it continues. (Photo by Hugh Gentry/Reuters)

Award-winning photographer Alex Bernasconi has captured thousands of images – from hiding hippos to wandering zebras – in his travels across Africa. His amazing work features in a new edition of his book Wild Africa. These amazing pictures create a snapshot of the life of some of the planet’s most spectacular animals and natural habitats. Photo: “Wild Africa”. (Photo by Alex Bernasconi)