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)

An Afghan vendor selling birds to be kept as pets wait for customers in his shop in Kabul on December 11, 2021. (Photo by Ahmad Sahel Arman/AFP Photo)

Storm clouds build over a canola field near Cremona, Alberta, Friday, July 29, 2022. (Photo by Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP Photo)

Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, shelters from the rain under an umbrella as she arrives at the London School of Economics to mark the launch of The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, where she took part in a roundtable discussion on the Centre's inaugural report, “Big Change Starts Small” which was released today, in London on June 18, 2021. (Photo by Richard Pohle/Pool via AFP Photo)

A kid casts his hand's shadow as kids play with light in “L'art dans la nature, Dali universe” an open air light show at Parc de la Villette in Paris, France on November 19, 2023. (Photo by Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters)

Against the scorching sun, a hungry jackal chases a flock of birds looking for a quick morning snack. Taken in South Africa's Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park, these images capture the moment a lone hunter tries, and then succeeds, in his pursuit. (Photo by John Mullineux/Solent News)

Aleksandra Krunic, of Serbia, drops to the court after defeating Petra Kvitova, of the Czech Republic, during the third round of the 2014 U.S. Open tennis tournament, Saturday, August 30, 2014, in New York. (Photo by Kathy Willens/AP Photo)

An artwork called “Beyond Crisis” by French artist Guillaume Legros aka Saype and created with an eco paint made out of chalk and coal over a 3000 sqm field is pictured during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Leysin, Switzerland, April 24, 2020 in this picture obtained by Reuters April 26, 2020. (Photo by Valentin Flauraud/SAYPE/Handout via Reuters)