Animals are adept at blending into their surroundings, as this beautifully captured image of a little owl merging into a dry stone wall demonstrates.
The tiny bird was shot by Derbyshire-based photographer Village Jim in a sequence of arresting pictures that are sure to make viewers squint frantically to find it.
In one particularly challenging image, only keen observers will be able to identify the small grey bird resting on the wall.
When examined closely, the rough line of grey changes to show the Little Owl, who is seen sitting still around one-third of the way down the stones.
It might be enjoying a quick snooze, secure in the knowledge that it is difficult to find, or it might be simply inspecting its adoptive home.
Another image shows the bird perched on a wall with a group of companions.
Although they still blend in with the colour of their feathers, they are much easier to see because they protrude above the solid row of grey stones.
The family seems to have located the ideal hiding place among the old wall that winds through a field.
The photographer also got a picture of one of the owls perched on the roof of an old barn, so it appears that they are comfortable in their surroundings.
Tiny owls are widespread in England and Wales, and some have even been spotted in southern Scotland.
They prefer lowland agriculture with hedges and copses, so this field in Derbyshire with its assortment of shelters is perfect for them.
