Daaaang! While the cat's away the mouse will play!

While Miley Cyrus is off vacationing with her family at their ranch in Nashville, Liam Hemsworth was left to his own devices in defending himself against our aging videographer in a confrontation in Malibu.

As our 65-year-old paparazzo approached the Aussie to ask about wedding plans with Miley, Liam wasn't having it and shoved the video camera, pushing our shooter backwards and temporarily destabilizing him. But it wasn't over yet, the two mouthed off to each other -- our guy telling Liam not to touch him and Liam and his pals insisting that they be left alone.

Okay, I get it, you're trying to scope a wave break on a rainy Sunday morning but chill, dude! As our aging pap says, "You're an actor, get over it." I mean, becoming a big Hollywood movie star and hooking up with Miley Cyrus ... you did kind of ask for it, dude.

Meanwhile, Miley was down south with the family at their farm in Nashville, Tenn. She posted these adorable pix of her with siblings, Brandi, Trace, Braison and dad Billy Ray and mom Tish.