Two people wearing animal costumes join others as people gather to celebrate the Winter Solstice at Stonehenge in England Tuesday December 22, 2015. The winter solstice is celebrated by many people around the world as the beginning of the return of the sun. (Photo by Ben Birchall/PA Wire via AP Photo)

A Thai mahout and his elephant, both dressed as Santa Claus pass in font of a large photograph of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej following a Christmas event at a school in the world heritage city of Ayutthaya, north of Bangkok, Thailand, 24 December 2015. The annual event is held to celebrate the Christmas season in the overwhelmingly Buddhist kingdom. (Photo by Diego Azubel/EPA)

Players battle for the ball during their match at the swamp soccer China tournament in Beijing, June 26, 2014. The 32 teams from across the country participated in the soccer event to celebrate the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. (Photo by Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters)

A Honduras fan cheers for her team before the start of the Group E football match between Honduras and Switzerland at the Amazonia Arena in Manaus during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 25, 2014. (Photo by Rodrigo Arangua/AFP Photo)

Golden gate Bridge Fog Thick early morning fog engulfed a huge world famous bridge so that only the very tip of it is visible above the clouds. Photographer Ali Erturk, 33, hiked to the spot at 4am to capture the stunning sight of the Golden Gates bridge immersed in the dense swirls of fog. (Photo by Solent News and Photo Agency)

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)

Technical staff take shelter as a helicopter takes off prior to the Nendaz Freeride skiing and snowboard competition, a Freeride World Tour Qualifier (FWQ) event, on the Mont Gond in Nendaz, Switzerland on March 21, 2018. (Photo by Valentin Flauraud/EPA/EFE/Rex Features/Shutterstock)

Times Square was one of many NYC locations where thousands filled the crossroads of the world to celebrate the Biden/Harris election win over Donald Trump on Saturday, November 7, 2020. This couple was thrilled with the news reenacting the famous sailor nurse WW2 victory in Times Square kiss. (Photo by Michael Nigro/Pacific Press/Rex Features/Shutterstock)