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 legendary US photographer’s favourite shots of creatures and how they interact with humans feature in “Animals”, his latest book. Here: A boy rests against a cow, Kathmandu, Nepal, 2013. “Cows have been designated the national animal in Nepal. They roam freely, and are considered sacred by the 80% of Nepalis who are Hindu”. (Photo by Steve McCurry/The Guardian)

A model presents a creation during the 2015 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in New York, November 10, 2015. (Photo by Lucas Jackson/Reuters)

A model presents a creation during the 2015 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in New York, November 10, 2015. (Photo by Lucas Jackson/Reuters)

Models walk the runway at the Maria Escote show during Madrid Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2015/16 at Ifema on February 10, 2015 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)

A model is filmed backstage before the Jeremy Scott Fall/Winter 2015 collection presentation at New York Fashion Week February 18, 2015. (Photo by Andrew Kelly/Reuters)

A model presents a creation by Maltese hairstylist Marielle Calleja of Prive at the Malta Fashion Awards 2015 at the Marsa Shipbuilding warehouse in Marsa, outside Valletta in Malta, May 16, 2015. (Photo by Darrin Zammit Lupi/Reuters)

Jason Garcia poses as The Joker from Batman at the 2015 Comic-Con International in San Diego, California, July 9, 2015. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Reuters)