Andy Sands / Blue mason bee (Osmia caerulescens) male emerging from bee hotel or insect box in garden, Hertfordshire, England, UK. April

Mike Wilkes / Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) sitting on blackthorn eating sloes, Warwickshire, England, UK, October.

Mike Wilkes / Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) sitting on blackthorn eating sloes, Warwickshire, England, UK, October.

Erlend Haarberg / Stoat (Mustela erminea) in white winter coat, looking from behind a birch tree and licking its nose, Vauldalen, Sor-Trondelag, Norway, April.

Erlend Haarberg / Arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) resting, with snow on head, West Fjords, Iceland, April.

Roland Seitre / Short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) captive, Currumbin Sanctuary, Queensland, Australia.

Roland Seitre / Short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) portrait, captive, Currumbin Sanctuary, Queensland, Australia.

Roland Seitre / Short beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) close-up of mouth at the end of its rostrum, Tasmania, captive.