Protective Collection (#31)

Willow (Salix sp. ) coppiced stools in bed, surrounded by hedge of layed branches as protection from browsing deer
Willow (Salix sp.) coppiced stools in bed, surrounded by hedge of layed branches as protection from browsing deer, River Rattlesden, Stowmarket, Suffolk, England, april

Wire netting used for sea cliff erosion defence, Cornwall, England, april

Straw frost protection over Tree Fern (Cyatheales sp. ) in garden, Norfolk, England, march
Straw frost protection over Tree Fern (Cyatheales sp.) in garden, Norfolk, England, march

Newly planted hedge, saplings protected with plastic sleeves, Beeston Castle, Tarporley, Cheshire, England, april

Workers removing agricultural building roofing sheets containing asbestos, sheets put into skip and covered with plastic sheeting for transport to landfill site, Yorkshire, England, january

New Millenium woodland, young trees with plastic sleeves, planted on former meadowland, Vicarage Plantation, Mendlesham, Suffolk, England, november

Pom-pom Crab (Lybia tesselata) adult, with anemones on claws for protection, Reta Island, Alor Archipelago, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) crop, growing under protective netting in allotment garden, Norfolk, England, september

Mosquito (Culicidae sp. ) swarm, on mosquito hat worn by woman in forest, Finnish Lapland, Finland, july
Mosquito (Culicidae sp.) swarm, on mosquito hat worn by woman in forest, Finnish Lapland, Finland, july

Young trees protected with plastic sleeves, with Wild Daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) flowering, Micklemere Nature Reserve, Pakenham, Suffolk, England, march

Domestic Dog, Jack Russell Terrier, puppy, laying, wearing Elizabethan collar

New Millenium woodland, saplings protected with plastic sleeves, planted on former meadowland, Vicarage Plantation, Mendlesham, Suffolk, England, october

Scorpion (Euscorpius sp. ) adult female with young on back, Italy
Scorpion (Euscorpius sp.) adult female with young on back, Italy

New Millenium woodland, Guelder Rose (Viburnum opalus) and broadleaf tree saplings protected with plastic sleeves, planted on former meadowland, Vicarage Plantation, Mendlesham, Suffolk, England

New woodland in snow, young trees protected with plastic sleeves, Bacton, Suffolk, England, november

Domestic Cattle, Galloway bull, standing in watermeadow pasture, guarding calf resting in long grass, River Rattlesden, Stowmarket, Suffolk, England, april

Banggai Cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni) adult, with babies in mouth, Lembeh Island, Sulawesi, Indonesia

Yellow Sac Spider (Cheiracanthium punctorium) adult male, defending nest, Italy

Broadclub cuttlefish egg. Egg laid by a broadclub cuttlefish (Sepia latimanus) in fire coral. Photographed near Indonesia

Cockle shell, SEM
Cockle shell. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the shell of a cockle, a bivalve mollusc. Bivalve molluscs are so-called because they have symmetrical two-part shells joined by a hinge

Madagascan day moth wing. Macrophotograph of an eyespot on the wing of a Madagascan day moth (Chrysiridia madagascarensis)

Macrophotograph of owl butterfly wing
Owl butterfly wing. Macrophotograph of an eyespot on the wing of an owl butterfly (Caligo idomeneus). Butterfly wings are covered in coloured scales which create patterns on the wing

Chrysalis, SEM
Chrysalis, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). A chrysalis is the name for the pupa of butterflies and moths (order Lepidoptera)

Snail shell, SEM
Snail shell. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a snails shell (order Pulmonata). The shell is composed of calcium salts secreted by the snail, and provides shelter and protection

Hedgehog skin and spines, SEM
Hedgehog skin and spines. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the skin of a hedgehog, with spines (blue) protruding from it. A spine is a modified hair made from the protein keratin

Hedgehog spine, SEM
Hedgehog spine. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a broken hedgehog spine (yellow). It is surrounded by hairs (brown). The spine is a modified hair made from the protein keratin

Polar bear and cub. Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) sitting with her cub. Polar bears are large carnivores which inhabit the ice floes and coastal waters of the Arctic region

Chacma baboon mother and young
Chacma baboons. Female chacma baboon (Papio ursinus) carrying an infant on its back. This species of baboon inhabits scrub, woodland and semi-desert environments in southern Africa

Bee eye, SEM
Bee eye. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the compound eye of a honey bee (Apis mellifera). Protective hairs cover its surface

Fly eyes, SEM
Fly eyes. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the simple eyes (ocelli) of a hover fly (family Syrphidae). There are three

Flys eye, SEM
Flys eye. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a flys compound eye. Protective bristles cover its surface. The eye is made up of numerous visual units, known as ommatidia

Compound eye of a bee, SEM
Compound eye of a bee. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of numerous lenses making up the surface of a compound eye from a honey bee (Apis sp.)

Twoband anemonefish. Two twoband anemone fish (Amphiprion bicinctus) amongst their host anemones. The anemonefish, also known as the clown fish, is always found in association with sea anemones

Sleeping parrotfish
Parrotfish (family Scaridae) sleeping in a bubble of mucus. It is thought the fish produces this sac to prevent noctural predators such as moray eels from locating it using their acute sense of

Three spot dascyllus fish
Three spot dascyllus. Two three spot dascyllus fish (Dascyllus trimaculatus) on a coral reef. The male (right) is protecting the female (left) as she lays her eggs

Ocellaris anemonefish laying eggs
Ocellaris anemonefish (Amphiprion ocellaris) laying eggs. The process of egg laying lasts around half an hour. The female lays between 100- 1000 eggs

Two astronauts on Mars, artwork
Astronauts on Mars. Artwork of two astronauts on Mars standing on the edge of a crater. The arm of one astronaut is visible far right, and the hand of the other astronaut is visible bottom left

Gas distribution. Worker using a temperature probe to measure the temperature of a gas compressor. The natural gas has been obtained from the North Sea oil fields

Astronaut on Mars next to rock, artwork
Astronaut on Mars. Artwork of an astronaut on Mars inspecting a Martian boulder. The Martian atmosphere is mostly carbon dioxide and surface temperatures are well below freezing

Astronaut holds Martian rock
Martian rock. Artwork of a Martian rock being held in an astronauts hand. The Martian atmosphere is mostly carbon dioxide and surface temperatures are well below freezing

Oil plant scarecrow (lower right), used to keep waterfowl off the oil plants settling ponds. The waste discharged to these settling ponds contains traces of crude oil and bitumen

Astronaut playing golf on Mars, computer artwork. This would be similar to the famous golf shot played by Alan Shepard on the Moon on 31 January 1971

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"Guardians of the Ages: A Glimpse into Protective Forces" The enigmatic Plague Doctor, a symbol of protection during the 17th century, donned his beaked mask to shield against the deadly disease that ravaged Europe. In the serene Alaskan waters, a Northern Sea Otter mother cradles her young pup with unwavering care, showcasing nature's instinctive protective bond. Leon-Maxime Faivre's masterpiece "Deux meres (Two Mothers)" captures the essence of maternal protection and love in an exquisite 1888 artwork. Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton, revered polar explorer, braved treacherous icy terrains to safeguard his crew during their ill-fated Antarctic expedition - epitomizing courage and guardianship. The mysterious figure known as The Kitchen-God stands watchfully in a 1922 creation by an unknown artist - believed to protect households from harm and ensure prosperity. As waves crash against its sturdy structure, the Netherlands' flood barrier shields communities from devastating floods; engineering marvels standing tall for collective safety. Delicate yet resilient diatoms under electron microscopy reveal intricate patterns that serve as natural armor for these microscopic organisms - nature's ingenious self-protection mechanism. A captivating Netsuke sculpture depicts a demon queller guarding against malevolent forces; crafted during Japan's Meiji Period as talismans offering spiritual protection. Floating effortlessly on tranquil Alaskan waters, a Northern Sea Otter rests serenely while relying on its thick fur coat for insulation and defense against cold elements. X-ray artwork unveils skeletal structures beneath our skin - reminding us how our bodies are protected by this hidden fortress of bones throughout our lives. Firefighters embody bravery and selflessness as they battle raging infernos to protect lives and property from devastation caused by merciless flames.