Is that heavy-weight champion?

MOL LONDON -Garden-visiting squirrels have been transformed into heroes of the animal kingdom after being unwittingly coaxed into human-like poses. From popping a champagne cork to appearing to take part in magic tricks, the wild squirrels captured in these images are gently coaxed into their eccentric positions using a variety of toys and food treats. Photographer Max Ellis, 51, says it takes hours - and occasionally days - to set up each shot, as he has to wait for his subjects to take up the exact stance in his garden in Teddington, south west London before he is able to capture his image. In one scene an inquisitive squirrel is sent flying through the air in fear by a game of Buckaroo, while in another it appears to be lifting weights. Mr Ellis, who uses sunflower seeds, cookies and toys to lure the curious creatures into position, said: ‘The fact they’re really intelligent is both the biggest plus and minus to working with them. ‘They usually very quickly work out ways to get to the treats I leave for them but sometimes it takes a while as they’re wild animals so I need a lot of patience,’ he added. ‘I’m experimenting with more elaborate props and new ideas come to me daily. They constantly surprise me with their intelligence and dexterity so its great fun coming up with new ideas. Mr Ellis, 51, took the photographs after trying to work out new ways to entertain his 11-year-old son Gulliver. He said he initially came up with idea for a squirrel magic show after watching professional magicians with Guliver on YouTube last December. He said: ‘My son is very keen on magic so I thought it might be fun to see if I could get the squirrels to perform a classic trick.’ ‘It did take quite a while to set up as I wanted it to look realistic.