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)

The stern of the stranded cargo vessel Rena grounded on the Astrolabe Reef is seen on October 20, 2011 in Tauranga, New Zealand. Salvage crews continue to pump oil off the ship in an effort to remove as much as possible before bad weather predicted for the evening threatens to break the vessel and release more oil into the sea. Over 300 tonnes of oil has leaked from Rena since it hit the reef on October 5. (Photo by New Zealand Defence Force via Getty Images)

Jorge (2nd R), 31, who is among members of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community and his brother Paulo, 28, (R) laugh at Arouche Square in downtown Sao Paulo, Brazil, November 20, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)

Brazilian model Izabel Goulart for the screening of the film “Sink Or Swim (Le Grand Bain)” at the 71st Cannes Film Festival, France on May 13, 2018. (Photo by Stephane Mahe/Reuters)

A man falls from an ox cart as he competes during an ox cart competition near U Bein bridge, in Mandalay March 22, 2015. (Photo by Soe Zeya Tun/Reuters)

In this handout image provided by Sydney Tower Eye, a visitor scans the skyline and harbour of Sydney from a viewing platform at the Sydney Tower Eye, on December 16, 2011 in Sydney, Australia. Sydney is suffering from its coldest start to summer since 1960. (Photo by Eugene Tan/Hausmann Communications via Getty Images)

A British inspired Transformer, made from original bus parts is displayed in front of Tower Bridge on November 28, 2009 in London, England. Twitter fans voted to see a London “bendy” bus made into a Transformer to celebrate the DVD & Blu-ray release of “Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen”. (Photo by Marco Secchi/Getty Images for Paramount Home Entertainment)

Dancers of the English National Ballet perform MacMillan's The Rite of Spring from Beyond Ballet Russes with costumes by Kinder Aggugini at the Coliseum on March 22, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)