They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and these striking images of 2017 are no exception. The photo highlights include incredible snapshots of the natural world as well as some awesome animal and human encounters. The vibrant gallery also shows thrill-seekers pushing themselves to the limit with breathtaking stunts captured in perfect clarity. The pictures have been taken by a host of photographers from around the world. Here: The two lion cubs singing their hearts out at Antelope park in Zimbabwe. (Photo by David Jenkins/Caters News Agency)

Katy Perry poses backstage during rehearsals for the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 25, 2017 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for MTV)

In this Sunday, August 5, 2018 photo, a dancer winces in pain as she is whipped by a fellow dancer in an adaptation of the Inca warrior dance known as “Kachampa”, during celebrations honoring Our Lady of Copacabana, in Cuzco, Peru. (Photo by Martin Mejia/AP Photo)

Performance of the actress Asia Argento dedicated to the exhibition of the tattoo artist Marco Manzo at the Vittoriano museum in Rome, Italy on December 11, 2018. (Photo by Barbara Amendola/IPA Press)

South African model Candice Swanepoel walks the runway at the 2018 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on November 8, 2018 at Pier 94 in New York City. (Photo by Matt Baron/Rex Features/Shutterstock)

Moroccan-born pole dancer Karima El Mahroug, nicknamed “Ruby the Heart Stealer” attends the traditional Vienna Opera Ball at the state opera on March 3, 2011 in Vienna, Austria. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)

English Internet personality Sophie Piper looked stunning as she went braless in a tiny blazer dress. The 25-year-old in the second decade of June 2024 took to Instagram to share snaps from her trip to the stunning Italian coastal town of Positano. (Photo by Instagram)

A model presents a creation by designer Andreas Kronthaler as part of his Fall-Winter 2023/2024 Women's ready-to-wear collection show for late designer Vivienne Westwood's namesake label during Paris Fashion Week in Paris, France on March 4, 2023. (Photo by Sarah Meyssonnier/Reuters)