Traditional wooden herdsmen's huts with pine shingle roofs and Cattle (Bos taurus) standing near pond on 1600m high pastureland at Velika Planina plateau, Kamnik-Savinja Alps, Slovenia.

Oriental hornet (Vespa orientalis) using its jaws to detach two suckersfrom Common Octopus tentacle as it hangs in the sun to tenderise. Skala Sikaminia harbour, Lesbos (Lesvos) Greece. MORE INFO: The yellow parts of this hornet's cuticle absorb sunlight and the pigment xanthopterin converts light into electrical energy.

Wigeon (Anas penelope) flock in flight over frozen, flooded marshland on a foggy winter morning, with some drakes calling, Greylake RSPB reserve, Somerset Levels, UK.

Common blue butterfly (Polyommatus icarus) sun basking on grass stem in limestone meadow, Wiltshire, UK. MORE INFO: Butterfly family Lycaenidae.

Scenic view of Leon Dormido (Sleeping Lion) Island off San Cristobal Island in the Galapagos Island Archipelago, Ecuador

Male Great frigatebird (Fregata minor) in breeding plumage (note the red gular pouch) on North Seymour Island in the Galapagos Island Archipelago, Ecuador

Greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) foraging for small pink shrimp (Artemia salina) in saltwater lagoon in the Galapagos Island Archipelago, Ecuador

Great frigatebird (Fregata minor) taking handouts from a fisherman in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, in the Galapagos Island Archipelago, Ecuador

Spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari) underwater at Leon Dormido (Sleeping Lion) Island off San Cristobal Island in the Galapagos Island Archipelago, Ecuador

Male Great frigatebird (Fregata minor) in breeding plumage (note the red gular pouch) on Genovesa (Tower) Island, in the Galapagos Island Archipelago, Ecuador

The very colorful Galapagos land iguana (Conolophus subcristatus) in the Galapagos Island Archipelago, Ecuador. MORE INFO This large land iguana is endemic to the Galapagos Islands.

Male Great frigatebird (Fregata minor) in breeding plumage (note the red gular pouch) on Genovesa (Tower) Island, in the Galapagos Island Archipelago, Ecuador

Views of the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., USA

Galapagos penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus) feeding underwater on small baitfish in the Galapagos Island Archipelago, Ecuador

Staff (shown here is National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore) from the Lindblad Expedition ship National Geographic Endeavour in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Flying Squid Species in mid-air (Ommastrephes bartramii). Extremely rare unusual image. South Atlantic Ocean. MORE INFO: Flying Squid use membranes between their tentacles (visible on pic) & two fins at the rear of the mantle to glide through the air in a similar way to flying fish. These unique adaptations allow them to avoid predation more easily. Ommastrephid squids are among the strongest swimmers in the Cephalopoda. A number of species are fished commercially. This particular species (Ommastrephes bartramii), is commonly known as "Neon Flying Squid" due to its colouration and its ability to glide over the ocean surface as seen in the photographs. Please note that this is a genuine image of a wild animal in its natural environment. It is not a digital manipulation.

Orkney Islands Sept 2011 Wave and Tidal Power shoot - out testing with the Scotrenewables machine off Kirwall - Scotrenewables Tidal Power Ltd is a renewable energy research and development business based in the Orkney Islands.

Orkney Islands Sept 2011 Wave and Tidal Power shoot - Tidal Generation Limited - backed by Rolls Rpyce -TGL is are currently operating a 500kWe concept demonstrator unit at The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) Tidal site in Orkney. This has been generating since September 2010 and provides power for up to 300 homes.

Winsford Rock Salt Mine.

Newly Hatched Bugs With Eggs, India

The waterlogged street in Varanasi after heavy rain. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh India

Devotees offering prayer to sun god during "Chat Puja", a religous festival celebrated by the hindus in India, Kolkata, India

Orkney Islands Sept 2011 Wave and Tidal Power shoot - out testing with the Scotrenewables machine off Kirwall - Scotrenewables Tidal Power Ltd is a renewable energy research and development business based in the Orkney Islands.

Insect, India

Orkney Islands Sept 2011 Wave and Tidal Power shoot The Wello Penguin

The mine uses the most sophisticated modern mining techniques to bring grit salt to the surface, including a laser guided JOY excavator and mechanical drills and lift.

Grit salt remains the most commonly used method of removing ice and snow from the ground. All kinds of salt are effective at breaking up ice crystals, but grit salt is the preferred method for use in salt-spreading machines as long as the grit salt is kept dry. The grit salt also adds some friction to flat areas, making the ground better for tyres and shoes to grip on to.? . "

Orkney Islands Sept 2011 Wave and Tidal Power shoot - The Pelamis Wave Power machine in Orkney - alongside in Lyness - the machine is the P2 . The Pelamis absorbs the energy of ocean waves and converts it into electricity. The machine floats semi-submerged on the surface of the water and is made up of a number of cylindrical sections joined together by hinged joints. As waves pass down the length of the machine these sections flex relative to one another. The motion at each hinged joint is resisted by hydraulic cylinders which pump fluid into high pressure accumulators allowing electrical generation to be smooth and continuous. Control of the resistance applied by the hydraulic cylinders allows generation to be maximised when waves are small, and the machine response to be minimised in storms. All generation systems are sealed and dry inside the machines and power is transmitted to shore using standard subsea cables and equipment.

Orkney Islands Sept 2011 Wave and Tidal Power shoot - Tidal Generation Limited - backed by Rolls Rpyce -TGL is are currently operating a 500kWe concept demonstrator unit at The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) Tidal site in Orkney. This has been generating since September 2010 and provides power for up to 300 homes.

Devotee woman praying at the ghat ( river bank ) at dawn. Varanasi , India

Mining grit salt is very different to the traditional image of cramped dark areas and men with pickaxes! The nature of grit salt mines mean they resemble vast caverns, up to 20 metres wide. .

Camels at dusk. Pushkar, Rajasthan, India

The mine uses the most sophisticated modern mining techniques to bring grit salt to the surface, including a laser guided JOY excavator and mechanical drills and lift.

Orkney Islands Sept 2011 Wave and Tidal Power shoot - out testing with the Scotrenewables machine off Kirwall - Scotrenewables Tidal Power Ltd is a renewable energy research and development business based in the Orkney Islands.

Dragonfly, India

Grit salt remains the most commonly used method of removing ice and snow from the ground. All kinds of salt are effective at breaking up ice crystals, but grit salt is the preferred method for use in salt-spreading machines as long as the grit salt is kept dry. The grit salt also adds some friction to flat areas, making the ground better for tyres and shoes to grip on to.? . "

A leisure afternoon at a tribal village in Purulia, West Bengal, India

Orkney Islands Sept 2011 Wave and Tidal Power shoot - The Pelamis Wave Power machine in Orkney - alongside in Lyness - the machine is the P2 . The Pelamis absorbs the energy of ocean waves and converts it into electricity. The machine floats semi-submerged on the surface of the water and is made up of a number of cylindrical sections joined together by hinged joints. As waves pass down the length of the machine these sections flex relative to one another. The motion at each hinged joint is resisted by hydraulic cylinders which pump fluid into high pressure accumulators allowing electrical generation to be smooth and continuous. Control of the resistance applied by the hydraulic cylinders allows generation to be maximised when waves are small, and the machine response to be minimised in storms. All generation systems are sealed and dry inside the machines and power is transmitted to shore using standard subsea cables and equipment.

Mother teaching her child in a tribal village in India.

Mining grit salt is very different to the traditional image of cramped dark areas and men with pickaxes! The nature of grit salt mines mean they resemble vast caverns, up to 20 metres wide.

Orkney Islands Sept 2011 Wave and Tidal Power shoot - out testing with the Scotrenewables machine off Kirwall - Scotrenewables Tidal Power Ltd is a renewable energy research and development business based in the Orkney Islands.

Elephants and women share the same river banks to bathe and wash, Sonepur,Bihar, India

Chat ritual celebrated behind the Taj Mahal, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India

Mining grit salt is very different to the traditional image of cramped dark areas and men with pickaxes! The nature of grit salt mines mean they resemble vast caverns, up to 20 metres wide. .

Orkney Islands Sept 2011 Wave and Tidal Power shoot - Tidal Generation Limited - backed by Rolls Rpyce -TGL is are currently operating a 500kWe concept demonstrator unit at The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) Tidal site in Orkney. This has been generating since September 2010 and provides power for up to 300 homes.

Orkney Islands Sept 2011 Wave and Tidal Power shoot - The Pelamis Wave Power machine in Orkney - alongside in Lyness - the machine is the P2 . The Pelamis absorbs the energy of ocean waves and converts it into electricity. The machine floats semi-submerged on the surface of the water and is made up of a number of cylindrical sections joined together by hinged joints. As waves pass down the length of the machine these sections flex relative to one another. The motion at each hinged joint is resisted by hydraulic cylinders which pump fluid into high pressure accumulators allowing electrical generation to be smooth and continuous. Control of the resistance applied by the hydraulic cylinders allows generation to be maximised when waves are small, and the machine response to be minimised in storms. All generation systems are sealed and dry inside the machines and power is transmitted to shore using standard subsea cables and equipment.

Indian women bathing in the river , Sonepur, Bihar, India

Orkney Islands Sept 2011 Wave and Tidal Power shoot - The Pelamis Wave Power machine in Orkney - alongside in Lyness - the machine is the P2 . The Pelamis absorbs the energy of ocean waves and converts it into electricity. The machine floats semi-submerged on the surface of the water and is made up of a number of cylindrical sections joined together by hinged joints. As waves pass down the length of the machine these sections flex relative to one another. The motion at each hinged joint is resisted by hydraulic cylinders which pump fluid into high pressure accumulators allowing electrical generation to be smooth and continuous. Control of the resistance applied by the hydraulic cylinders allows generation to be maximised when waves are small, and the machine response to be minimised in storms. All generation systems are sealed and dry inside the machines and power is transmitted to shore using standard subsea cables and equipment.

Mining grit salt is very different to the traditional image of cramped dark areas and men with pickaxes!.

Orkney Islands Sept 2011 Wave and Tidal Power shoot - Tidal Generation Limited - backed by Rolls Rpyce -TGL is are currently operating a 500kWe concept demonstrator unit at The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) Tidal site in Orkney. This has been generating since September 2010 and provides power for up to 300 homes.

Eid prayer on the Red Road in Kolkata, India

A little boy selling newspapers on the street of Kolkata, India

Royal Bengal Tiger Swimming, India

Orkney Islands Sept 2011 Wave and Tidal Power shoot - out testing with the Scotrenewables machine off Kirwall - Scotrenewables Tidal Power Ltd is a renewable energy research and development business based in the Orkney Islands.

Mining grit salt is very different to the traditional image of cramped dark areas and men with pickaxes! The nature of grit salt mines mean they resemble vast caverns, up to 20 metres wide. .

Mining grit salt is very different to the traditional image of cramped dark areas and men with pickaxes! The nature of grit salt mines mean they resemble vast caverns, up to 20 metres wide.

Orkney Islands Sept 2011 Wave and Tidal Power shoot - Tidal Generation Limited - backed by Rolls Rpyce -TGL is are currently operating a 500kWe concept demonstrator unit at The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) Tidal site in Orkney. This has been generating since September 2010 and provides power for up to 300 homes.

Winsford, a small village in Cheshire with a mine that supplies nearly 60% of the country's grit salt..

Mining grit salt is very different to the traditional image of cramped dark areas and men with pickaxes! The nature of grit salt mines mean they resemble vast caverns, up to 20 metres wide. .

Monsoon clouds over almost dry bed of river Mayurakshi, West Bengal, India

Captive Tufted Capuchin Cebus apella in La Vallee Des Singes, Poitou - Charentes France. More info: Status, least concern.

Captive Western gorilla, gorilla gorilla. Female and baby and adolescent in La Vallee Des singes, Poitou - Charentes France. More info: Status, critically endangered due to loss of habitat, hunting and infectious disease.

Captive Colobus guereza adults in La Vallee Des Singes, Poitou - Charentes France. More info: Status, least concern

Pygmy marmoset2. Cebuella pygmaea. Captive adult. La Vallee des Singes Poitou-Charentes, France More info: status: least concern but numbers decreasing.

Greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) in flight over a saltwater lagoon in the Galapagos Island Archipelago, Ecuador

Galapagos penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus) feeding underwater on small baitfish in the Galapagos Island Archipelago, Ecuador

Mining grit salt is very different to the traditional image of cramped dark areas and men with pickaxes! The nature of grit salt mines mean they resemble vast caverns, up to 20 metres wide.

Mining grit salt is very different to the traditional image of cramped dark areas and men with pickaxes! The nature of grit salt mines mean they resemble vast caverns, up to 20 metres wide. .

Painted Locust (Schistocerca melanocera) mating in the Galapagos Island Archipelago, Ecuador

Mining grit salt is very different to the traditional image of cramped dark areas and men with pickaxes! The nature of grit salt mines mean they resemble vast caverns, up to 20 metres wide. .

Mining grit salt is very different to the traditional image of cramped dark areas and men with pickaxes! The nature of grit salt mines mean they resemble vast caverns, up to 20 metres wide.

Mining grit salt is very different to the traditional image of cramped dark areas and men with pickaxes! The nature of grit salt mines mean they resemble vast caverns, up to 20 metres wide.

Mining grit salt is very different to the traditional image of cramped dark areas and men with pickaxes! The nature of grit salt mines mean they resemble vast caverns, up to 20 metres wide.

The mine uses the most sophisticated modern mining techniques to bring grit salt to the surface, including a laser guided JOY excavator and mechanical drills and lift.

Adult black-necked stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) wading and feeding in a brackish water lagoon at Punta Cormorant on Floreana Island, Galapagos, Ecuador, Pacific Ocean.

Winsford Rock Salt Mine.

Mining grit salt is very different to the traditional image of cramped dark areas and men with pickaxes! The nature of grit salt mines mean they resemble vast caverns, up to 20 metres wide.

Winsford, a small village in Cheshire with a mine that supplies nearly 60% of the country's grit salt..

Winsford Rock Salt Mine.

Captive Galapagos giant tortoise (Geochelone elephantopus) with photographer at the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos Island Archipelago, Ecuador

Mining grit salt is very different to the traditional image of cramped dark areas and men with pickaxes! The nature of grit salt mines mean they resemble vast caverns, up to 20 metres wide.

Winsford, a small village in Cheshire with a mine that supplies nearly 60% of the country's grit salt..

Winsford, a small village in Cheshire with a mine that supplies nearly 60% of the country's grit salt..

The mine uses the most sophisticated modern mining techniques to bring grit salt to the surface, including a laser guided JOY excavator and mechanical drills and lift.

Winsford, a small village in Cheshire with a mine that supplies nearly 60% of the country's grit salt.. .

The mine uses the most sophisticated modern mining techniques to bring grit salt to the surface, including a laser guided JOY excavator and mechanical drills and lift.

Winsford, a small village in Cheshire with a mine that supplies nearly 60% of the country's grit salt..

Southern skimmer dragonfly (Orthetrum brunneum) male perched on a plant stem with sparkling stream in the background, Krka National park, Croatia.

The endemic Galapagos marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) with a lava lizard on top of its head in the Galapagos Island Archipelago, Ecuador

The endemic Galapagos marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) feeding on fish at the Puerto Ayora fish market on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos Island Archipelago, Ecuador

Orkney Islands Sept 2011 Wave and Tidal Power shoot - out testing with the Scotrenewables machine off Kirwall - Scotrenewables Tidal Power Ltd is a renewable energy research and development business based in the Orkney Islands.

Mining grit salt is very different to the traditional image of cramped dark areas and men with pickaxes! The nature of grit salt mines mean they resemble vast caverns, up to 20 metres wide.

Winsford Rock Salt Mine.

The mine uses the most sophisticated modern mining techniques to bring grit salt to the surface, including a laser guided JOY excavator and mechanical drills and lift.

Mining grit salt is very different to the traditional image of cramped dark areas and men with pickaxes! The nature of grit salt mines mean they resemble vast caverns, up to 20 metres wide.

Mining grit salt is very different to the traditional image of cramped dark areas and men with pickaxes! The nature of grit salt mines mean they resemble vast caverns, up to 20 metres wide.

The endemic Galapagos marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) in the Galapagos Island Archipelago, Ecuador

Views of the Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C., USA

Views at night of the Korean War Veteren's Memorial, Washington, D.C., USA

The mine uses the most sophisticated modern mining techniques to bring grit salt to the surface, including a laser guided JOY excavator and mechanical drills and lift.