“This grey adult male seal enjoys a good grin while lying on the beach”. (Photo by Michael Hutch/SplashdownDirect via Rex USA)

Body surfers ride a large wave at the Wedge in Newport Beach of the Southland coast on May 20, 2011 in Newport, California. Surfers have been lured to the south facing beaches for the biggest swells of the season. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

A Palestinian man rides his horse on a beach in Gaza City February 17, 2017. (Photo by Mohammed Salem/Reuters)

Actress Elke Sommer sunbathing on the beach of Cannes during the Cannes film festival, 1961. (Photo by Daniel Fallot/INA via Getty Images)

A Somali man carries a fish at Liido beach in Mogadishu, Somalia on December 29, 2023. (Photo by Feisal Omar/Reuters)

Somali women walk near a fish put on display by fishermen at the Liido beach in Mogadishu, Somalia on May 13, 2024. (Photo by Feisal Omar/Reuters)

These beautiful photos capture the tender moments between two young boys who share a unique bond with animals. Elena Shumilova, from Andreapol, Russia, began taking pictures of her sons Yaroslav and Vanya in early 2012 when she received her first professional camera. The pair were immediately accepted by the animals from a young age and their incredible bond continues to strengthen as they get older. Elena, 32, was able to capture images her boys playing with such animals as rabbits, dogs, cats and ducks as they become totally immersed in their communication with their furry friends. (Photo by Elena Shumilova)