The Spanish photographer Xavi Bou digitally combines sequential pictures of birds to create a single image, or chronophotograph, that reveals the shapes of their flight paths against Catalonian skies. His work shows the variety and beauty to be found in the daily activities of the local birds, including spiralling storks, swooping starlings and giddy swifts. Here: European herring gulls at Llobregat Delta. (Photo by Xavi Bou/Rex Features/Shutterstock)

These images capture the intricate details of minuscule snowflakes, moments before they melt. The shots were taken by Don Komarechka, 31, who has had a lifelong fascination with all things macro – especially snowflakes. The professional photographer says people often don’t believe that his pictures are real because they’re so perfect. (Photo by Don Komarechka/Caters News Agency)

Hamlet the micro pig may already be a hit on Instagram, but its not stopped her from hogging the limelight on her birthday. Known for her adorable costume play, the miniature pig, from Pasadena, California, celebrated her first birthday in style, inviting all her furry Instagram friends to join her party. Pictured wearing a bright pink tutu and a tiara fit for a princess, Hamlet, who is named after Lady Hamlet from the Shakespeare play, shows that shes no boar when it comes to partying. Here: Hamlet enjoying his birthday party. (Photo by Caters News)

Two boys in the Gorbals area of Glasgow, UK on January 31, 1948. The Gorbals tenements were built quickly and cheaply in the 1840s, providing housing for Glasgow's burgeoning population of industrial workers. Conditions were appalling; overcrowding was standard and sewage and water facilities inadequate. The tenements housed about 40,000 people with up to eight family members sharing a single room, 30 residents sharing a toilet and 40 sharing a tap. By the time this photograph was taken 850 tenements had been demolished since 1920. Redevelopment of the area began in the late 1950s and the tenements were replaced with a modern tower block complex in the sixties. (Photo by Bert Hardy/Getty Images)

Meet the world's smoothest cuddliest hedgehog. Names after brave hero, but Nelson is completely bald so when curled up he looks like an egg. Doesn't have a single prickle or strand of hair. Thought to be suffering a stress related alopecia following a trauma in the wild. Volunteers have been massaging him for half an hour a day for the last year to encourage spikes to grow. Now given up but he still gets daily massages because he enjoys them so much and to keep his cuddle skin soft and smooth. Unlike his namesake Nelson could not defend himself so will live out his days at the Foxy Lodge Wildlife Rescue in Hemsby, England. (Photo by Jeremy Durkin)

Fighting Infections (single image) | Fighting Pandemic by Sudipto Das. “It’s exhausting. A tram conductor in Kolkata, India, wears protective clothing from head to toe even in the heat of a summer afternoon. This was when restrictions were easing after India’s first Covid-19 lockdown – public transport was running, but staff were advised to suit up like this. We’ve all grown used to saluting the efforts of healthcare workers, but plenty of other people in public-facing jobs have performed gruelling duties too to keep people safe”. (Photo by Sudipto Das/Wellcome Photography Prize 2021)

This photo taken on April 25, 2015 shows a pet male monkey named “JK” (R) and his partner “Shaki” (L) eating dinner at a restaurant in Kuala Lumpur. Jamil, a 45-year single Malaysian man, has unusual pets – two macaque monkeys. JK and Shaki, both nine years old, usually ride with Jamil on his motorcycle and they often have dinner together in public restaurants, drawing instant public awe. (Photo by Mohd Rasfan/AFP Photo)

Men dressed as “Krampuss” prepare to parade at Munich's Christmas market, December 13, 2015. Young single men will wear the traditional attires known as “Krampusse”, consisting of animal skins and masks, with large cow-bells to make loud and frightening noises and parade through the city. They follow “Saint Nicholas” from house to house in December each year to bring luck to the good and punish the idle. (Photo by Michael Dalder/Reuters)