Watch the birdie: Eagle-eyed

• Photographer Christian Kneidinger, 50, captured images in Linz, Austria
• He was trying to focus on colours but after a closer look spotted the 'bird'
• Centre of pink moth orchid shows an optical illusion of animal in flight
• Showed other visitors at Botanical Garden who could not believe it
• Said he was surprised and 'never expected to see something so magical'

An eagle-eyed photographer has captured these incredible pictures of an orchid that looks just like a bird.

Photographer Christian Kneidinger, 50, was taking pictures in a botanical garden in Linz, Austria, when he realised he was looking at something special. 

Initially the software engineer was trying to focus on the colour of the flowers but after an hour he took a closer look at the pink moth orchid and noticed an optical illusion of a bird in its centre.

The optical illusion of a bird can be seen in the pink moth orchid found at Botanical Garden in Linz, Austria

Photographer Christian Kneidinger from Austria could not believe his eyes when he captured the images

‘I showed other visitors what I had captured, but no one could believe it. Everyone was so surprised, even when I showed them the orchid,’ he said.

‘I was trying to get some beautiful pictures of some beautiful plants. I never expected to see something so magical.’

‘I came by the bird completely by chance. I thought I was seeing things, but it felt so real.

‘I knew I had to capture it before it disappeared and I'd think my eyes had been deceiving me.’

Mr Kneidinger, who lives in Austria, used a DSLR 5D Mark III camera with a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L lens and a Macro IS USM lens to capture the stunning pictures.

He said: ‘I looked through the finder of my DSLR and I noticed that it looked like a bird - I was really surprised.

Mr Kneidinger said he showed it to other visitors at the Botanical Garden in Linz, Austria, who couldn't believe it

He used a DSLR 5D Mark III camera with a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L lens and a Macro IS USM lens for the image

Christian Kneidinger, 50 (pictured), said: 'I never expected to see something so magical¿

‘Looking at it through the camera monitor didn't have the same feeling as in real life, so I took my video LED light that I use to brighten shadows.

‘I placed the light behind the flower and reduced the intensity, and I got what I expected. It was amazing.’

The orchid, scientifically known as a Phalaenopsis, was found among the 10,000 various plants at the Botanical Garden in Linz, which houses five greenhouses full of exotic floras.

‘It shows how beautiful these flowers are and how nature is at one,’ added Mr Kneidinger.

‘I try to go with open eyes everywhere I go and I try to use different views.

‘I take time watching for my desired object and sometimes, like now, something unexpected happens.’

Saudi tourist flies in to London

• Modified Range Rover the latest supercar spotted in West London
• Motor is painted gold and features large bumpers and vent on the bonnet
• It is thought car's rich Saudi owner had it shipped over for his holiday
• Follows series of sightings of expensive cars in the Knightsbridge area 

The supercars parading through London's streets reached a whole new level of extravagance this week when a wealthy Arab rolled his gold Range Rover into town.

The 'Mystere' is a £150,000 version of the famous British vehicle which has been given an overhaul by German tuning house Hamann.

The car's normal design has been replaced with a customised body-kit which includes oversized bumpers and a bonnet vent.

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The £150,000 'Hamann Mystere' is one of the most flamboyant vehicles yet to be seen in the capital

It is thought the Range Rover's Saudi owner brought the car over with him for his summer stay in London
Its Saudi owner has also opted for the luxury off-roader, which is fitted with 23-inch alloy wheels, to be kitted out with a black and gold wrap.

The car, with the registration plate '666', has been flown over to the UK by its Saudi owner and is parked outside the expensive Wellesley Hotel in Knightsbridge.

A top-spec Range Rover costs £100,000 - with Hamann charging around £50,000 for the 'Mystere' conversion.

It is one of a number of flamboyant cars which have arrived in London for the summer season, when Middle-Eastern millionaires escape the desert temperatures for a holiday in the UK.

One local resident said: 'Range Rovers don't normally stand out because there are so many of them in London, but this one is different.'

'You can't miss it. It is amazing that the owner, who must be quite rich, decided to have it wrapped gold coloured. It is so eye-catching, but I don't think it will be winning any style awards.

The luxury off-roader was spotted in the car park of the Wellesley Hotel in Knightbridge, opposite Hyde Park

It comes after this ornately-painted Lamborghini Aventador was spotted in the area last summer

The 4x4's gold finish is similar to this Bugati Veyron which was parked outside the Dorchester last year

He added: 'It was parked next to a Rolls-Royce Ghost, and you hardly noticed the Roller. It is not often that a Rolls-Royce looks like the understated car.'

Last year, residents of West London complained the capital was being inundated with supercars, which they claimed were leading to unruly driving.

Petrol-heads were seen driving round wealthy areas of the city in Lamborghinis, Ferraris and Bugattis and attracting bands of camera-carrying youngsters, known as the Carparrazzi.

Channel 4 made a documentary about the drivers, called Millionaire Boy Racers, after local residents called for a clampdown.

In 2010, a £1.2 million Koenigsegg CCXR and £350,000 Lamborghini Murcielago were clamped outside famous department store Harrods.

The supercars, like this Lamborghini, are regularly seized by police for over suspicions about their insurance

This bright pink Rolls Royce was among the expensive cars spotted in London last summer

Local residents say their lives have been made a misery by the supercars like these driving around the district

Crowds of tourists watched in disbelief as a traffic warden first ticketed then clamped both vehicles, which were believed to have belonged to the oil-rich Qatari royal family.

It was the first summer in which the so-called 'invasion of Arab supercars' was noticed on London's streets, with a £1 million-plus Bugatti Veyron and a £500,000 Mercedes Benz McLaren SLR, both chrome-finished and with Middle Eastern plates, spotted outside the Berkeley Hotel in Knightsbridge.

It is believed wealthy Arabs from Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia relocate to the capital in the Middle East's hottest summer months and compete over who can show off the most expensive vehicle. 

Experts said insuring some the supercars on London's roads can cost more than £50,000-a-year, with a £15,000 excess.

Last summer, a £350,000 purple and orange Lamborghini was seized by the police after the driver was pulled over, again outside Harrods, because of police concerns about his insurance.

Weeks later the same car was seen back on the streets, but was given a parking ticket just days after police handed it back to the owner.

A policeman talks to the owner of a blue Maserati on a double red line route during the Channel 4 show

This gold and white Bugatti put two Porsches in the shade when it parked outside Harrods last summer

These supercars - a Lamborghini Murcielago and a Koenigsegg CCXR - were seen in Knightbridge's Sheraton Park hotel last summer

The King of Rock and Rollers: Elvis's Rolls-Royce Phantom'

• King of Rock's old limousine will go under the hammer during a Bonhams auction in California next month
• Icon bought the luxury car in 1963 and had it sent to coachbuilder James Young who fitted it with new accessories
• Memphis's most famous son held on to the car for five years before donating it to charity, where it sold for $35,000
• Elvis was a renowned car fan - owning a number of Cadillacs, Jaguars and a BMW  

A prized possession of one music's biggest petrolheads, Elvis Presley, is set to fetch up to $300,000 at auction next month.

Elvis bought the Rolls-Royce Phantom V brand new in 1963 and had it custom-fitted with the latest gadgets including a telephone, electric windows and a microphone. 

The car was initially midnight blue, but he was forced to have it re-painted a lighter silver because his mother's chickens would repeatedly peck at their reflections when he visited her.

Rock and rolls: Elvis's 1963 Royals Royce Phantom will go under the hammer next month and is expected to fetch between $200,000 and $300,000

Luxurious: He bought the car in 1963 and sent it to a coach builder to have it equipped with the latest gadgets. The car was initially midnight blue, but he was forced to repaint it light silver because his mother's chickens kept pecking at it

Elvis was renowned for his love of cars, especially Rolls Royces. He is pictured here with another Phantom he bought in 1961 outside his Graceland mansion 

When his new purchase arrived, he sent it to Britain where coachbuilder James Young installed the newest gadgets including a Blaupunkt Koln radio, parking and flashing lights and air conditioning.

The car will go under the hammer next month at a Bonhams sale in The Quail, California and is expected to sell for between $200,000 and $300,000.

The centre rear armrest featured a writing pad, mirror and clothes brush while a fitted cabinet contained cut glass decanters and crystal glasses.

Under the bonnet was a 6.2-litre, V8 engine which gave the 2.6-ton car 200bhp and a top speed 

of around 100mph.

Elvis, then a 28-year-old global sensation, had the 20-foot long car shipped out to his home in Bel Air, Los Angeles, where he entertained the likes of The Beatles.

Memphis's most famous son held on to the Rolls-Royce for five years before donating it to charity, where it sold for $35,000 (£20,500).

It then disappeared for the next 20 years until it was bought by its current owner at a memorabilia auction in London.

They have kept it in a private museum and used it sparingly, with the car regularly maintained by English Rolls-Royce restorers Frank Dale and Stepsons.

Bonhams yesterday described the Rolls-Royce as 'one of the more significant Phantom V's to have come up for sale in recent years'.

The auction house added: 'It is a most interesting model of this highly desirable motorcar complete with undisputed Elvis provenance

'It is offered with copy of its original chassis card confirming the original owner as well as his exacting specifications.

'This important and significant Rolls-Royce Phantom V, with its undisputed place in pop culture history, will surely be jewel in the crown for any Elvis collector.'

Steering wheel: After the car was given a makeover, with new seating and radio put in place, it was shipped to his home in Bel Air, Los Angeles 

Grey interior: Memphis's most famous son held on to the Rolls-Royce for five years before donating it to charity, where it sold for $35,000.

Innovative: Elvis had the car fitted with all the latest gadgets of the time including a telephone, electric windows and air conditioning 

Proof: The car comes with its original documents. The form states that the owner is 'Elvis Presley' and the coach builder who designed the interior is Briton, James Young

Is this the most expensive Ferrari ever?

• The 1965 handbuilt Ferrari sold at auction for £1million in the mid-1990s but is now expected to fetch up to £20million
• It is one of only three models of its kind, can reach a top speed of 170mph and was once owned by a British colonel
• The grey 275 GTB/C Speciale is scheduled to go under the hammer at an auction in Monterey, California on August 15

A 50-year-old Ferrari which is one of only three of its kind and described as one of the iconic car maker’s most important models is expected to sell for a whopping £20million.
The 1965 handbuilt Ferrari, which has mainly been used as a road car even though it was designed to compete at motorsport events, can reach a top speed of 170mph.
Despite it selling at auction for less than £1million in the mid-1990s, it is now expected to fetch £20million when it goes under the hammer in California next month.

The 1965 handbuilt Ferrari, which has mainly been used as a road car even though it was designed to compete at motorsport events, can reach a top speed of 170mph

The 50-year-old grey Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale is one of only three of its kind and has been described as one of the iconic car maker's most important models

Despite being designed to compete at motorsport events, the sports car has mainly been used as a road vehicle over the years and was once owned by a British colonel

The stunning grey 275 GTB/C Speciale, known as 06701, was owned by an English colonel in 1970s.
It is made from super-lightweight aluminium and powered by a V12 engine which develops around 300bhp.
There are only two other models exactly like it, and it is thought both of those may never go onto the open market again.
The sports car is the star lot at RM Auctions’ Monterey sale in California next month, with one expert calling it a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’.
Shelby Myers, senior specialist at RM Auctions, said the car’s ‘almost unbelievable rarity and high performance are matched only by its stunning good looks’.

The sports car is the star lot at RM Auctions' Monterey sale in California next month, with one expert calling it a 'once in a lifetime opportunity'

It is powered by a V12 engine which develops around 300bhp. There are only two other models like it, and it is thought both of those may never go on the market again

Shelby Myers, senior specialist at RM Auctions, said the car's 'almost unbelievable rarity and high performance are matched only by its stunning good looks'

The stunning grey 275 GTB/C Speciale, which is known as 06701, is made from super-lightweight aluminium and was once owned by an English colonel in 1970s

She said: ‘Simply put, this is one of the most important Ferraris in the world, and absolutely one of the most important motor cars ever to come to auction.
‘These cars were a clear evolution of the GTO concept, one of which set a record at Le Mans that stands to this day.
‘06701’s two sister cars are in highly respected private collections, from which they will certainly not emerge in the near future.
‘This sale is unquestionably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.’

The Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale, which is in excellent condition, is scheduled to go under the hammer in Monterey, California over the weekend of August 15-16

The sports car was carefully restored about a decade ago, which saw it finished with its current two-tone silver and grey color scheme - throwback to its original

At one point, the car was owned by Ferrari collector, Brandon Wang who showed it off at various competitive events, including the International Festival at Goodwood, Tutte Le Ferrari in Mugello and the 1997 Tour Auto

The Ferrari’s first owner was a businessman who used it as a road car before selling it on to its next owner, who kept and maintained the vehicle for 25 years.
It was later passed onto Ferrari collector, Brandon Wang, who showed it off at various competitive events, including the International Festival at Goodwood, Tutte Le Ferrari in Mugello and the 1997 Tour Auto.
Following a restoration which saw the car refinished in its current two-tone silver and grey color scheme - throwback to its original colour scheme - the car was passed on to its current owner.
The Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale will go under the hammer in Monterey, California over the weekend of August 15-16.

Stunning pictures of lightning, floods and a snow-covered Yak

We all love to talk about it in the Britain, but these pictures show that the weather holds a fascination around the globe.

From forks of lightning in Poland and New Mexico to flooded fields in Portugal, a snow-covered yak in Nepal and a monsoon in Bangladesh, these pictures all made the final cut in the Society of International Nature and Wildlife Photographers' Weather competition.

Winner was Andrzej Bochenski from Poland for his dramatic lightning shot on Puck Bay on the Baltic Sea.

The winner of the Society of International Nature and Wildlife Photographers' Weather competition was Andrzej Bochenski from Poland for his dramatic lightning shot on Puck Bay on the Baltic Sea

Another lightning shot bagged second place for Craig Bill, 44, from Texas.Craig said of the picture, taken in Jal, New Mexico: 'The shot I call Thunder Heart came as a blinding flash so bright and powerful, I never saw it directly'

Third place was awarded to Filipa Scarpa from Portugal with her picture of looming storm clouds

Mr Bochenski said: 'It was terrible storm with a lot of thunder but without rain.

'I used a tripod, on a 30 seconds exposure to get this one.'

Another lightning shot bagged second place for Craig Bill, 44, from Texas.

Craig said of the picture, taken in Jal, New Mexico: 'The shot I call Thunder Heart came as a blinding flash so bright and powerful, I never saw it directly.

'This low hanging cloud was threatening me with random powerful bolts.

The scene from the base of Mount Everest in Nepal was captured by 40-year-old Australian Jason Freeman. He said: 'The shot was taken close to a tiny settlement called Gorak Shep 5,300m above sea level. This is the last vestige of civilisation before Everest Base Camp and a popular stop for trekkers'

Jerry Boyden caught this sunset whilst waiting for his wife in Clearwater, Florida. He said: 'I was trying to get a few sunset photos in before I had to pick my wife up from work. This was the last photo I got to take before I had to run'

'I hooked up a control device that trips the shutter when a bright flash hits, but you have to be able to anticipate where the next bolt is coming from and have the camera ready.'

In third was Filipa Scarpa from Portugal with her picture of looming storm clouds.

Filipa, 54, from Lisbon, said: 'The picture was taken in Sintra, in Lisbon, as the Hercules storm rolled in.'

And a picture of a house standing in a flooded field after the storm also got her a highly commended place.

She said: 'This was taken in Santarem, where there was then a huge flood as a consequence of the Hercules storm. As a result, many houses became isolated because of water flooding from the Tagus river.'

Photographer Greg Kacin, 35, a musician, said of his highly commended image: 'The church is called Saint Thomas, Sveti Tomaž, and it stands in small village near town of Žiri.'It's a peaceful place and I go there a lot. I took this picture in January on the first day of winter snow'

Retired Ron, 63, said of the highly commended image: 'This shot of Big Ben from Westminster bridge was taken during one of two days that we had snow in January last year.'

Craig Bill was also highly commended for another lightning picture also taken in Jal, New Mexico.

He said: 'This storm was not all that big, but it made up for it in intense electrical energy and light that was just incredible.

'This image comprises of five different lightning bursts layered over each other.

'After about an hour, the storm lost its gusto and disintegrated while others in the distance gained strength.'

The UK was not left out, with this atmospheric picture of London landmark Big Ben in a snow storm by Ron Tear, from Loughton in Essex.

Retired Ron, 63, said of the highly commended image: 'This shot of Big Ben from Westminster bridge was taken during one of two days that we had snow in January last year.'

Craig Bill was also highly commended for another lightning picture also taken in Jal, New Mexico.He said: 'This storm was not all that big, but it made up for it in intense electrical energy and light that was just incredible'

Highly Commended Philip Bird, from East Grinstead in West Sussex photographed a Grand Teton mountain range in Wyoming when a snowstorm came over

This photo was highly commended in the competition and taken by Nadi Nitul in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh

And snow was the theme for another highly commended picture as a yak gets a dusting as it waits between jobs.

The scene from the base of Mount Everest in Nepal was captured by 40 year old Australian Jason Freeman.

He said: 'The shot was taken close to a tiny settlement called Gorak Shep 5,300m above sea level. This is the last vestige of civilisation before Everest Base Camp and a popular stop for trekkers.

'As the climbing season was just beginning, the yak had a rare 'day off' and was waiting for the next pack-carrying job to arrive.

'I was able to get to within two metres for this shot with before the yak snorted and became defensive. I took that as my cue to head home and left him to his blanket of spring snow.'

Also getting a coating of snow was this church nestled between two trees at the top of a hill in Slovenia.

Photographer Greg Kacin, 35, a musician, said of his highly commended image: 'The church is called Saint Thomas, Sveti Tomaž, and it stands in small village near town of Žiri.

'It's a peaceful place and I go there a lot. I took this picture in January on the first day of winter snow.'

Philip Bird, from East Grinstead in West Sussex was highly commended for his amazing shot of a snowstorm coming in that he took in America.

Philip, 64, a retired bank manager, said: 'I was taking some landscape shots at the base of the Grand Teton mountain range in Wyoming when a snowstorm came over the crest of the mountains and poured down to the plain where I was standing. A few minutes later I couldn't see a thing.'

Leaving the cold behind are the last two pictures that were both highly commended.

Jerry Boyden caught this sunset whilst waiting for his wife in Clearwater, Florida.

He said: 'I was trying to get a few sunset photos in before I had to pick my wife up from work. This was the last photo I got to take before I had to run.'

And lastly Nadi Nitul's picture taken at the height of the monsoon shows a street in her native Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh got her a highly commended. 

Photographer scores a cat-trick!

It's long been said that curiosity kills the cat.

But one inquisitive Swiss photographer has brought a selection of adorable felines to life - by morphing them into their doting owners. 

This amazing series of photographs produced by Sebastian Magnani splices the head and shoulders of 15 different owners with the portrait of their favourite moggy. 

Purr-fect unison! Photographer Sebastian Magnani has blended together photos of cats and their owners. This incredible image, left, shows cat Blue merged with his owner, Miriam, who is pictured right

In a series called 'Undercats', the Swiss photographer merged 15 owners with their favourite felines. In this combination, cat Salem is merged with his owner Mariette - both donning the same helmet

The 28-year-old used expert photo-manipulation techniques to seamlessly transplant the feline faces onto the human bodies. Here, cat Figaro is spliced with young cap-wearing owner Elia, who is pictured right 

Using his friends, family and strangers, the 28-year-old - who says he is fascinated with cats' eyes - cleverly photographed owners and their respective pets in the same portrait style.

He then used expert photo-manipulation techniques on the computer to seamlessly transplant the feline faces onto the human bodies.

Highlights of the series, which is called Undercats, include a lady called Daniela's hair blending perfectly with the face of her ginger cat Micky while, in another picture, owner Mariette and her cat Salem don the same crash helmet.

There's even a photo of the photographer's father Ermano, with the face of his cat Jaguar, wearing a headset. 

Undercats follows Sebastian's internationally-renowned - and similarly-themed - Underdogs set. Here, he has blended cat Paraya, left with owner Christoph, pictured right 

Headphone wearing Ermano, pictured right, who is the father of the photographer, is merged with his cat Jaguar.  For this project, the photographer travelled for a week around Switzerland visiting the owner's home to photograph them and their cats

A jewellery-wearing Pepi is morphed with his owner Natalie. The photographer used family, friends, strangers who answered his Facebook post and people who contacted him directly via email for the project

The series follows Sebastian's internationally-renowned collection Underdogs, which, in a similar vein, saw the faces of dogs superimposed onto their owner's. 

For this project, the young photographer travelled for a week around Switzerland visiting the owner's home to capture the images. 

He said: 'One is my father Ermano. Some are friends of mine. Some answered me on my Facebook post. Some contacted me directly per email.'

Sebastian says splicing of the humans and pets took about three weeks of his free time, with 6-8 hours spent on each image. In this set of images, cat Uschi is spliced with owner Jan 

The photographer started the project because he said he is fascinated with the eyes of cats. Here, cat Mogli is blended perfectly with owner Josianne

Sebastian said: 'It is in the eye of the beholder whether cats look like their owners like people say dogs do. But for me the eyes so strong and characterful'. Here, cat Juna is blended with owner Christian 

The photographer said he knew he wanted to experiment with cats after doing his dog series. Here, cat Hector is mixed with long-haired owner Joana

The photographer says splicing of the humans and pets took about three weeks of his free time, with each image taking between six and eight hours to perfect.

Sebastian said: 'When I'd made the first part of my Underdogs, for me it was clear, I wanted to create the same with cats. And I was really looking forward to see more combinations. I am also so fascinated by the eyes of cats.

'Unlike dogs, cats all the same head form, so there is not so much difference between each other. It is in the eye of the beholder whether cats look like their owners like people say dogs do. But for me the eyes so strong and characterful.

'I think the title Undercats is not the same as Underdogs, it has a softer meaning and that's the reason why I've chosen the title.'

This image, left, combines cat Muah with owner Helen. The photographer replaced the head and shoulders of the owner with that of their pet 

The blonde hair of Daniela, pictured right, blends perfectly with the face of her ginger cat, Micky, pictured left  

Antonia, pictured right, is merged with his cat Chino in this image, left. Both images show the person wearing a scarf and a matched expression of solemness 

Cat Tito is spliced with owner Caroline in this image, pictured left. Sebastian says cats all the same head form, so there is not so much difference between each one

Kathrin, pictured right, is shown spliced with her cat Shiva.