Adorable pictures to melt even the hardest heart: Tiny kittens, cuddly puppies and fluffy ducklings pair up for cute photo shoot

By Daily Mail Reporter


A British photographer's adorable images of puppies, ducklings and even kittens in hammocks will brighten up any rainy day.

Master of cuteness Mark Taylor's images are in demand all over the world for the purr-fect way they capture a softer side to our best-loved animals.

His photographs are a legacy from his late mother Jane Burton who pioneered the style so familiar on calendars in offices and maths teacher classrooms everywhere.


Fosset the kitten with a yellow gosling: Photographer Mark Taylor is famous around the world for his cute shots of animals in unusual poses


Fosset cuddles up to his gosling friend: Mr Taylor's photographs are a legacy from his late mother Jane Burton who pioneered the style

Stanley the kitten with a duckling: Despite the menacing look in Stanley's eyes, Mr Taylor has never had any incidents where one subject ate another

Using a simple clean white background and some unusual animal pairings Mr Taylor's style has seen him make the cover of prestigious wildlife magazine National Geographic.

In this set of heart-warming images Mr Taylor shows why he's one of the best in his field tapping into that desire in us all to see something fluffy.

From ducklings with puppies, to dogs with kittens and even rabbits Mark captures them all on camera as if they were the best and friends.

And thankfully so far he's had no case of any of them eating each other.


Hear me roar: Kittens Stanley and Fosset have a cuddle


Guess who! Stanley holds his paws over Fosset's face as they play


King of the castle: Stanley climbs on top of Fosset


Not just for Christmas: Stanley and Fosset pose inside a gift box


Touch on that: Stanley offers his paw for a fist bump. Right, he poses with a bright red flower


Oh you! Stanley gestures towards the camera as he lies in a hammock


Time for a cat nap: Stanley and Fosset enjoy a snooze

Keeping it in the family: Mr Taylor's daughter Siena, pictured with Stanley, helps to pose the animals for her father's photo shoots

Mr Taylor, 47, creates his images all at his home studio Warren Photographic, in Guildford, Surrey.

His father Kim is a world-renowned wildlife photographer. His mother Jane, who died in 2007 after a brave battle against cancer, was one of the first to use a unique style now so well adopted by her son.

Mr Taylor, a father of one, said: 'There have been a few close shaves when we have put the different animals together, but we often "introduce" the animals to a rabbit in a cage first to gauge the reaction.

'If the dog starts licking its lips we know it might not work out well, and for example it's best not to put a Jack Russell next to a rabbit.

'I have helpers in the studio and some of the animals extras we have here, for example we have six rabbits, but others we have to bring in.

'The key to the photograph is making sure the animals are not doing anything they don't want to do because I think you can tell if they are not enjoying themselves.

'My mother was a pioneer if you like of this idea of using the clean white backgrounds and I like to think I am carrying on her legacy.'


You wanna start something? Stanley goes nose to nose with a Bichon Fris


My big mate: Stanley nuzzles up with Great Dane pup Tia

Where u go? Stanley and Tia have a play

Keeping it in the family Mr Taylor's daughter Siena, 10, is also on hand to pose up with the animals in the pictures.

Mr Taylor, who uses a Cannon 1DS Mark III camera, said that he felt his photographs were so popular because they tap into an desire in us all to relate to animals.

He said: 'I think the fascinating aspect of this type of photography is that it taps into something in us all that sees ourselves and human emotions in our pets and other animals.'


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I'm quackers about you! Gorilla who dotes on a duckling

By Daily Mail Reporter


Nice to meet you: The huge gorilla happily sits next to the escaped duckling at Bronx Zoo, New York

This huge gorilla and tiny duckling became unlikely friends after the bird escaped into the ape's zoo enclosure.

Visitors to the Bronx Zoo in New York were stunned when the baby duck suddenly appeared inches from the massive primate.

Fearing the 90kg western lowland gorilla might react badly to the feathered visitor, onlookers held their breath to see what would happen.

Stick around, little buddy: Visitors to the zoo were stunned when the baby duck suddenly appeared inches from the primate

But rather than attacking or teasing the duckling, the four-and-a-half foot gorilla became fascinated with the bird and inspected its new friend with a nearby stick.

The 15-year-old female ape, called Fran, happily let it waddle about before the duckling was removed by zookeepers.

Although gorillas are frequently portrayed as aggressive, dangerous killers, they are shy, peaceful vegetarians.

Little and large: The curious beast plays with the duckling, using a small stick

The little bird confidently hops into the gorilla enclosure and makes new friends

Photographer Tom Warren, 51, captured the intimate scenes and said: 'I went to the zoo and quickly became aware of a commotion in the gorilla exhibit, as many of the school children were yelling "ducky, ducky!"

'We all watched with amazement as the little duckling wandered around the exhibit, while the gorillas either backed away from it or inspected it with curiosity.

'Then I spotted the duckling on the log next to a seemingly, amused gorilla.


New best friends: The 15-year-old female ape, called Fran, happily let the duckling waddle about before it was removed by zookeepers

'The duckling did not seem the least bit intimidated and for good reason, as Africa's gentle giants eat mostly fruits and plants.

'How fortunate I was to witness a wonderful moment between two unlikely friends.

'I held my breath and was able to fire off a few frames, knowing that the moment that I was witnessing was a very special one.'

Mr Warren, from New York, added: 'I was relieved when I got home and that the scene was in focus despite the fact that the photograph was taken through a thick piece of plexiglass.'


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Ducking out for a pint: The pet who's just quackers about her master... and even follows him to the PUB

By Emma Reynolds


Beer and birds: Barrie Hayman with Star, the 11-week-old duckling who loves a drink down his local


Children have long loved Hans Christian Anderson's story of the Ugly Duckling, who became an outcast after his friends and family rejected him.

But now another unwanted little bird has found solace with a human 'father'.

And he has taken such a shine to the 65-year-old that he will follow him everywhere - even to the pub.


The 11-week-old duckling watches rugby, goes shopping at Tesco and even has his own Facebook page.

Barrie Hayman rescued Star when he spotted the Indian Runner Duck doing a 'distressed waddling dance' - rather like Mumble's in kids' film Happy Feet - when he was only a few days old.

'He just won't leave me and so now we go everywhere together,' said Mr Hayman, who has been breeding ducks for 18 months. 'I've not trained him to follow me, he just seems to like it and he is one fantastic duck - I've never known any like it before.

'He comes to the pub, where everyone loves him and we'll be watching his first world cup together next week.

Feathered friend: Indian Runner Duck Star was plucked from his incubator when he was showing signs of distress at just a few days old


'He just won't mix at all with the other ducks and became distressed when I tried to put him with them.'

The grandfather-of-one, who trains his flock for duck trials, said he gets a few shocked faces as he takes Star around his hometown of Eastleigh, near Bideford in north Devon.

'When he was younger, I would put him in my pocket while I did my shopping.

'Now he's bigger, he happily waits in the foyer of my local Tesco as I nip in. He's not fazed at all.

'I try not to keep him there too long in case someone pinches him, but he's quite happy waiting.'


Wing man: Mr Hayman out on the town with his devoted pet, who even follows him to the supermarket


Mr Hayman, who used to teach scuba diving in Australia, began looking after ducks at the Big Sheep in Abbotsham, north Devon, six years ago.

He now has 10 ducks and 12 ducklings, plus six from the Big Sheep in winter.

But he says he knew Star was different from the moment he was born - so he plucked the baby duckling out of the incubator and took him home to wife Sue.

Luckily Mrs Hayman, an operations manager, shares her husband's affection for the tiny creature.

Star now has a Facebook page, under the name Star Hayman, which lists his favourite books as The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck, Animal Farm and Charlotte's Web.

His top activities include 'quacking' and the profile also says: 'I am an Indian Runner Duck. My daddy is my best friend. I love wriggly worms and I follow my dad everywhere. I watch TV with him, especially rugby, and I even share his beer!'

Mr Hayman added: 'He is such a personality and attracts so much attention. Children just seem to love him.

'You get a few shocked faces walking into a shop with a duck following you.

'He did get a bad reception at one place, but everyone else seems to just love him - he is becoming a bit of an exhibitionist.'

'He is 11 weeks old now and going through the ugly duckling stage, but I know he will be magnificent soon.'


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Helpless mother duck can't stop heron from stealing her duckling after it swam off alone on lake

By Daily Mail Reporter


A duckling shrieked in terror as it was speared and killed by a predatory heron after swimming away from its mum on a lake.

The fluffy youngster had been sheltering near reeds at a nature reserve when it left the security of its mum's shadow.

The helpless mum squawked and flapped her wings to try and scare off the grey heron but failed to save her chick.

Lunchtime: This fluffy duckling screamed in terror as it was speared by a heron after swimming away from its mum on a lake


Photographer Keith Cochrane, 55, witnessed the attack on the family of mallards at Big Waters Nature Reserve, near Newcastle.

He said: 'l noticed a heron standing on the bank of the lake, quite close to the family of mallard ducks.

'One of the ducklings swam away from the family group, which is exactly what the heron was waiting for.

Too late: The youngster's mother can be seen flapping to try and rescue her baby, but the heron flies off with its prey


'It took off and tried to catch the duckling a few times but each time the duckling would dive under the water to avoid it.

'However, the heron never gave up and it got another chance when the duckling moved to shallower water.

'The heron landed in the water, struck down with its sharp beak and lifted its head out of the water with the duckling impaled on its beak.

'It took off from the water with the duckling calling to its mum.

'The heron carried it to the bank of the lake, where it tried to kill the duckling.


Back to nature: Photographer Keith Cochrane, 55, witnessed the attack on the family of mallards at Big Waters Nature Reserve, near Newcastle


'The mother heard her young calling out and flew at the heron again and again but to know avail.'

Keith, from Blyth, Northumberland, added: 'The heron grabbed the baby, took off and flew to another part of the lake to finish off the duckling and have his lunch.

'It left the mother calling for her baby that never came back.

'However, the heron did return about thirty minutes later, perhaps to try for a second duckling.

'This left me feeling sad for the duckling but it drove home the harsh reality of nature in the raw.

'l was pleased that l was able to capture such a thing on camera as not many people get to see this side of nature.'



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I like you but you don't say much: Rescue centre gives tiny duckling a mirror so it doesn't die of loneliness

By Daily Mail Reporter


Don't I know you from somewhere? This baby duckling has been kept alive by looking at it's reflection in a mirror


A lonely duckling separated from its family at birth has been saved thanks to a mirror - which has become its only friend.

Seven-day-old Alice was taken to a rescue centre after being mauled by a gull at just one day old.

But the bird was in an agitated state and refused to eat because of the stress of being separated from its siblings.


So quick-thinking keepers installed a mirror which tricks Alice into thinking its reflection is actually another duckling.

Now it happily huddles up to the mirror for companionship - and even 'talks' to it.

Liz Dyas, of Devon Wildlife Visitor Centre, near Newton Abbot, Devon, said: ''If we remove the mirror it goes absolutely crazy and squawks and complains until we put it back.

'The duckling regularly wanders up to the mirror and pecks at it, licks it and is constantly happily chirruping away.

'It is very common for ducklings to die once separated from the flock and we're amazed at the change in condition.

'The duckling was withdrawn, not eating and in quite a bad way when it arrived. But the transformation is incredible.

'It's really sweet to watch it nestling against the mirror.'

Through the looking glass: Vets at the Devon Wildlife Centre are keeping the duckling alive by using a mirror to combat isolation from other ducklings


The duckling was brought to the centre four days ago by an RSPCA inspector who rescued it after being mauled by a gull in Torquay, Devon.

It was named Alice after the character in Through the Looking Glass but is still too young to sex.

Staff feared that the stress of separation from its siblings could become fatal if she continued to refuse food.

But since installing the small vanity mirror three days ago, Alice has started eating and happily chirrups around its pen.

Keepers expect the animal to make a full recovery before being released into the wild within the next few months.


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Must be the Lynx effect: Predator left sopping wet after lucky duck makes a quick getaway

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

On the prowl: The wildcat creeps up on the unsuspecting duck, who's bobbing along with his pals in an Alaskan pond

This bird nearly became duck soup when a sneaky predator made a swipe for it.

When a wildcat spotted the fat duck bobbing about with his pals on a pond he thought it would be an opportunity for an easy takeaway.

After creeping carefully through the long grass, and sure that the bird was oblivious, the feline took his chance.


Flap for freedom: The lynx pounces but, sensing danger, the duck begins to take flight


But this duck wasn't daffy. He made a life-saving flap for freedom and, after a brief chase, managed to avoid his hungry hunter.

The sorry-for-himself mog, meanwhile, was left dripping wet, and was forced to make other plans for dinner.


Duck tales: Despite his leaps and bounds, the cat can't keep up with the water bird


Photographer Anthony C. Gibson captured the dramatic scene in Alaska's Denali National Park. He explains: 'The park is covered with knee-high vegetation so the chances of ever spotting a lynx is near zero.

'Small little ponds are everywhere on the tundra, and we found this lynx stalking around one near the main road late in the afternoon.'


Harumph! Mog is left revising his dinner plans

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No mercy: Moment a grey heron swoops in to grab its first duckling

By ANNA EDWARDS

Too late: The terrified duckling quacks in panic as the heron snaps it up


These amazing photos capture the moment a heron snapped up two newborn ducklings as their mother helplessly watched.

The drama began when the heron swooped over a lake in Dublin and attempted to panic ducks and pick off any stray birds as it searched for its next meal.

A terrified mother duck tried to shepherd her family of eight ducklings - born just the day before - into the safety of some reeds by the side of the lake.


Rush to the reeds: The mother duck frantically tries to get her day old ducklings to shelter in some plants


But the wily bird had spotted this mother's nest and was laying in wait to gobble not one, but two of her precious offspring.

Photographer, Paul Hughes, 40, from Dublin witnessed the event.

'The heron was trying to scare the ducklings away from their parents so it could pick up the stragglers,' he said.

'The mother was trying to herd her young to the safety of an island in the lake as well as the nearby reed beds.

'But this heron was very canny - he had clocked this plan and had one of his own.
'He went right in for the kill with no messing about.

'It's part of nature and people should understand that.'


Back for seconds: The heron holds up its second catch of the day


Gobbled up: The heron eats the baby bird, leaving the distressed mother duck with just six of her eight babies left


Herons, which stand at 40 inches tall, with a 77 inches wingspan and a weight around 4lbs, also raise their young this time of year.

Mother herons lay between four and five pale blue eggs - when they hatch the chicks require constant food to avoid starvation.

Herons usually feast on fish or frogs and are incredibly patient creatures, standing still for long periods of time before catching their prey by striking with their long beaks.

Once it has returned with food the parent heron will cough up the partially digested remains for their offspring to eat.

Heron chicks are prone to cold - which means the parents must not leave their young for too long or they will die.

This means they are in a constant battle against time to find as much food as possible to increase the chances of their own chicks surviving.


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Thugly duckling: Tiny chick chases after terrified Jack Russell

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Ducking out: The Jack Russell tries to get away as the tiny bird gives chase


When a tiny bundle of feathers encountered a dog it quickly became clear which one was a chicken.

A brave little duckling is seen chasing after a Jack Russell - who tries to make a dash with his tail between his legs - in a classic case of David and Goliath.

Despite the loud barks of the nervous dog, the duckling kept on running at its playmate, trying to have some fun.


All bark, no bite: Despite the loud yelps of the dog, the duckling keeps on waddling towards its playmate


The Jack Russell is so keen to get away that at one point he is seen falling flat on his face.

The duckling must have realised that this dog's bark was worse than its bite.





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Living the high life: The family of ducks who moved into a FLOWER BASKET

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

No place like home! This mother duck needed a rest after her ten baby ducklings hatched - so took sanctuary in a hanging basket at the Castle Hotel in Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire


This mother duck needed a rest after her ten baby ducklings hatched - so took sanctuary in a hotel's hanging basket.

The new arrivals were uncovered after one of the chicks tumbled out of the nest on to the ground and wandered into the hotel.

Sammy Preston found the duckling waddling around the foyer of the Castle Hotel in Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire.


Familiar territory: Pictured here in more familiar watery surroundings, the new arrivals were uncovered after one of the chicks tumbled out of the impromptu nest on to the ground and wandered into the hotel


Hotel events co-ordinator Sammy, 20, said: 'The little duck was unharmed and must have fallen out again as I found him wandering around in reception.

'I thought he may have been rejected and mistook me for his mother. He was so cute and I wanted to look after him.

'Fortunately, it seems he is actually his mum's favourite as by the afternoon he was swimming around after her in the pond while the others stayed in the nest.


Quackers: The mother duck guards her new home after 'moving in' to the flower basket to hatch her eggs


'We've called him Harry and her Jemima.' Hotel manager Kate Whitehead, 39, added: 'The mother duck has been sitting in one of our hanging flower baskets at the side of the hotel, on and off, for the last few days, but we didn't think anything of it.

'It was so cute. We helped it back into the nest and that's when we noticed the others.

'The ducklings have been the centre of attention, especially with children.
'Everyone has been fussing and cooing over them.'


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Ducking the limelight: The newborn bird who refused to face the camera for a family photo

Odd one out: Just as the photo was about to be taken, the very individual duck turned his back on the camera


They’re only three days old, but it’s not hard to spot who’s going to be the troublemaker.

As these seven fluffy ducklings lined up on a log to get a good look at the big world facing them, it seemed like an ideal opportunity for a family photo.

Except that one member of the brood took it as a moment to express his individuality – and turned his back to the camera.

He then stood up and accidentally caused the whole brood to fall off their perch at Pennywell Farm, near Buckfastleigh, Devon.

Farmer Chris Murray, 60, said: ‘The ducklings had been incubated and this was their first outing after they hatched three days ago.

‘The weather was so glorious we thought it would be lovely for them to get outside and enjoy the sunshine.

‘Ducklings are wonderful, inquisitive animals and they love to walk in a line.


Duckling dominoes: The inquisitive bird caused his newborn siblings to topple off after moving on the branch


‘They all followed each other and walked across the log to sit there and get a better vantage point, as ducklings like to be able to survey their surroundings.

‘It was so funny as they were all facing the same way staring at the camera out of curiosity, apart from one who sat with his back to it, before deciding to stand up and make all the others tumble off like dominos.’


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Gone with the wind: Mother duck looks on as her ten ducklings are swept away by powerful gust

By SARAH FITZMAURICE

Unaware: The 10 ducklings follow mum not knowing what danger is lurking around the corner


Watching her ducklings fly into the air should have been a proud moment for mother.
But it wasn't out of choice that the young bird took flight.

These 10 ducklings were blown into the air- by a gust of wind.

Ouch! The ducklings are blown away in all directions while mum looks on



Blown away: Even mum had trouble staying on her feet and was blown over by the wind


The sheer force of the wind sent the baby ducklings hurtling in all directions and even mum lost the struggle to stay on her feet.

The brood were following mother through Woodbine racecourse outside Toronto when the blustery conditions took hold.

Unaware of what was about to happen the group made their way in a uniform line before disaster struck.

A gust of wind sent the young ducks flying into the air and the group was sent flying through the air.

Even the mother had trouble and was blown over rolling around unable to help her young ones.

Luckily it all ended as quickly as it had started and the group hurriedly filed back into line.



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Naughty duckling gets a dunking as bossy mallard implements a 'quackdown'

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Now young whippersnapper: A bossy mallard grabs a misbehaving duckling by the leg at a wetlands park in Oregon, USA


To the little duckling, it may have seemed a good idea to go off exploring his pond on his own. Until this happened.

The youngster was spotted straying too far from his family by another mother mallard who immediately swam into action.

Because the duckling’s own mother wasn’t around to teach him a safety lesson, the older bird picked him up by a leg before pushing him underwater at the wetlands park in Oregon.

The duckling chirped for help as she carried on dunking him for more than a minute before releasing him back to his mother following the harsh punishment.

The incident was captured on camera by photographer Arman Werth, at a wetlands park, in Beaverton, Oregon, U.S..

Arman, a 23-year-old tutor from Portland, Oregon, said: 'I had been watching a few mallard mother ducks swimming in a large pond, with ducklings of different ages bobbing around them.


Going under: The duckling chirps for help as it's taught a lesson by the mallard in an incident captured by photographer Arman Worth


'This particular female had two older ducklings, which means she is likely to have lost at least a couple of younger ones in their early life.

'My own hypothesis is that this mother saw first hand what happens when young ones run off on their own and wanted to teach this younger one a lesson.

'She saw this youngster swimming towards her all by itself, away from its brothers and sisters and without a mother nearby to protect it.

'The next thing I heard was a duckling chirping very loudly and some splashing.


Bubbling under: The mallard completes its short sharp lesson before handing the duckling back into the care of its mother


'I looked up and saw this mother with a tiny duckling in her mouth and just stood there in shock for a few seconds before raising my camera to take a burst of shots.

'She had the duckling by a leg and was repeatedly dunking it for over a minute.
'At some point she thought that she must have taught the young one its lesson and let it go, and it rushed in the direction that it came from chirping very loudly trying to find its mother.

'It looked like it eventually met up with a group of ducklings around its age so I am guessing it found its brothers and sisters.

'I've never seen anything like it before, but I'm hoping the little one has learnt its lesson.'


Help! The duckling chirps as the mallard raises her head out of the water
Alison Enticknap, spokeswoman for the RSPB, said: 'Generally it's the better mothers that are very protective over their own ducklings, and will occasionally attack the young of others.


'They will sometimes pick them up and shake them very vigorously, so this little one got off relatively lightly.

'It looks to be around a week old, so fortunately it was strong enough to deal with it.

'Hopefully it will have learned its lesson and will stay safely with mum from now on.'

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