We asked our readers to send in their best pictures on the theme of "tiny creatures". Here is a selection of the photographs we received from around the world.
Stefanie Hauger
Stefanie Hauger: "As I was photographing ants, I turned to my side to find this little fella on my reading glasses, cleaning and resting from the scorching sun. He posed for me for several minutes, allowing me plenty of time to admire his fashion-conscious choice of landing on glasses that matched him perfectly."
Sean Iceton
Sean Iceton: "Native to upstate New York, the immature stage of the gray treefrog is actually green."
Graham Davey
Graham Davey: "It's all in the eyes."
Richard J Zaino
Richard J Zaino: "Dusky birch sawfly larva, which closely resemble caterpillars, are actually the young of an insect more closely related to ants or wasps. Groups commonly feed together on a single leaf, and extend their bodies, waving in unison, if disturbed."
Evie Symons
Evie Symons: "A spider spinning its web as the sun sets."
Bruce Carrington
Bruce Carrington: "A tiny stonechat with a tasty morsel!"
Philippa Makey
Philippa Makey: "A Madeiran wall lizard peeping over a wall in Funchal."
Chaz Malle
Chaz Malle: "A migrating western toad - not much bigger than a fingernail - seen near the Lost Lake, Whistler, British Columbia, Canada."
Jacqueline C Melling
Jacqueline C Melling: "In the depths of winter and almost the turning of the year, highlighted by a burst of sunshine, this hibernating ladybird shines out, nestled as it is, head first, in the protection of the fluffy clematis seed head."
Alex Mackintosh
Alex Mackintosh: "While on holiday in Greece this butterfly landed on my wife's hand. I just captured it as it took off. I like how the blur shows its movement."
Amy Ridd
Amy Ridd: "Capturing the very hungry caterpillar in real life."
Mark Sewell
Mark Sewell: "A green shield bug taking a well-earned rest on a walnut leaf."
Anne Bostwick
Anne Bostwick: "I took this photo of a tiny frog in a bucket in my garden after a very wet spell."
Gemma Beniston
Gemma Beniston: "This is 'September' the leopard gecko. She is my son's birthday surprise and she is very happy to have a new home."
Bob Tune
Bob Tune: "These little guys helped me tidy up after some DIY."
The next theme is "autumn colours" and the deadline for entries is 5 December 2023.
Stefanie Hauger
Sean Iceton
Graham Davey
Richard J Zaino
Evie Symons
Bruce Carrington
Philippa Makey
Chaz Malle
Jacqueline C Melling
Alex Mackintosh
Amy Ridd
Mark Sewell
Anne Bostwick
Gemma Beniston
Bob Tune
