Ben Hall / Curlews (Numenius arquata) group flying over the sea during storm. Wales, UK December. Highly commended, 'Habitat' division, British Wildlife Photography Awards (BWPA) competition 2012.

Philip Stephen / MFV trawler "Harvester" in storm force gales and heavy seas, 70 miles east of the Shetlands. Winds gusting to 83 Knots. January 2009. Property Released.

Philip Stephen / MFV trawler "Harvester" in storm force gales and heavy seas, 70 miles east of the Shetlands. Winds gusting to 83 Knots. January 2009. Property Released.

Philip Stephen / MFV trawler "Harvester" in storm force gales and heavy seas, 70 miles east of the Shetlands. Winds gusting to 83 Knots. January 2009. Property Released.

Philip Stephen / MFV trawler "Harvester" in storm force gales and heavy seas, 70 miles east of the Shetlands. Winds gusting to 83 Knots. January 2009. Property Released.

Philip Stephen / MFV trawler "Harvester" in storm force gales and heavy seas, 70 miles east of the Shetlands. Winds gusting to 83 Knots. January 2009. Property Released.

Philip Stephen / MFV trawler "Harvester" in storm force gales and heavy seas, 70 miles east of the Shetlands. Winds gusting to 83 Knots. January 2009. Property Released.

Philip Stephen / The fishing vessel Saggitarius fights through waves in stormy weather in the North Sea near the Beryl oil rig, 160 miles north east of Aberdeen

Philip Stephen / MFV trawler "Harvester" in storm force gales and heavy seas, 70 miles east of the Shetlands. Winds gusting to 83 Knots. January 2009. Property Released.

Philip Stephen / MFV trawler "Harvester" in storm force gales and heavy seas, 70 miles east of the Shetlands. Winds gusting to 83 Knots. January 2009. Property Released.

Andrew Parkinson / Mountain hare (Lepus timidus) adult in white winter coat sits out a mountain top blizzard, Monadhliath Mountains, Scotland, UK, February.

Philip Stephen / MFV trawler "Harvester" on the crest of a wave in storm force gales and heavy seas, 70 miles east of the Shetlands. Winds gusting to 83 Knots. January 2009. Property Released.

Philip Stephen / MFV trawler "Harvester" in storm force gales and heavy seas, 70 miles east of the Shetlands. Winds gusting to 83 Knots. January 2009. Property Released.

Philip Stephen / MFV trawler "Harvester" in storm force gales and heavy seas, 70 miles east of the Shetlands. Winds gusting to 83 Knots. January 2009. Property Released.

Philip Stephen / MFV trawler "Harvester" in storm force gales and heavy seas, 70 miles east of the Shetlands. Winds gusting to 83 Knots. January 2009. Property Released.

Philip Stephen / MFV trawler "Harvester" in storm force gales and heavy seas, 70 miles east of the Shetlands. Winds gusting to 83 Knots. January 2009. Property Released.

Philip Stephen / MFV trawler "Harvester" in storm force gales and heavy seas, 70 miles east of the Shetlands. Winds gusting to 83 Knots. January 2009. Property Released.

Philip Stephen / The fishing vessel Demares fights through heavy waves in stormy weather in the North Sea near the Beryl oil rig, 160 miles north east of Aberdeen

Yva Momatiuk & John Eastcott / Black Spruce (Picea mariana) trees show effect of strong sea gales and severe northern climate creating tuckamore thicket, Gulf of St Lawrence, Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland, Canada

Onne van der Wal / A 70 knot storm off Cape Horn, Chile. ^^^This area has a well-earned reputation for its mountainous seas and constant gales, caused by the build up of uninterrupted depressions circulating the Souther...