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)

“Red Arrows” at the 2016 royal air tattoo, RAF Fairford, UK. By Jonny Williams, finalist: action. (Photo by Jonny Williams/UK National Geographic Traveller Photography Competition 2018)

Sunderland’s Granit Xhaka in action with AFC Bournemouth’s Bafode Diakite in Sunderland, UK on November 29, 2025. (Photo by Scott Heppell/Reuters)

Jellyfish with a juvenile imperial blackfish (Schedophilus ovalis) in Castellammare di Stabia, Naples, Italy, winter 2023. (Photo by Marco Gargiulo/Media Drum Images)

Georgie Bain takes a selfie with her horse in “Best Friends” in Aberdeen, United Kingdom, Date Unknown. For the first time, the founders of the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards have launched a photography award show giving proud pet owners a chance to show off their quirky pets. (Photo by Georgie Bain/Barcroft Images/Comedy Pet Photography Awards)

Members of the LSU Golden Girls dance team sit spaced apart wearing masks, under COVID-19 restrictions, requiring social distancing and masks, before an NCAA college football game between the LSU and the Mississippi State in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, September 26, 2020. (Photo by Gerald Herbert/AP Photo)

A visitor takes pictures with a smartphone of an artwork entitled “Blue Europe, 2015” by Chinese artist Liu Bolin, on display during the exhibition “Visible Invisible” at the Mudec Museum in Milan on May 14, 2019. Liu Bolin known as “the invisible man” for his photographic self-portraits, focused on a body-painting blending with the surrounding area. (Photo by Miguel Medina/AFP Photo)

People enjoying the races on a wet day at Chester Racecourse on May 12, 2017 in Chester, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)