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)

In this Monday, March 18, 2019 photo, a street artist performs in Caracas, Venezuela. Venezuelans are facing a severe economic and political crisis as President Nicolas Maduro has remained in power despite heavy pressure from the United States and other countries arrayed against him, managing to retain the loyalty of most of Venezuela's military leaders. (Photo by Natacha Pisarenko/AP Photo)

Children run past used caskets at a crematorium facility in Manila on April 29, 2020. Most of the Philippines is under quarantine to contain the spread of the coronavirus that has infected over 7,000 people and killed at least 500 in the country. (Photo by Maria Tan/AFP Photo)

Doris Dean of Chicago, Ill., sits with her gun shortly after she won a 50 meter, 40-shot event for women with a perfect 400 score at the National Rifle Association (NRA) matches at Camp Perry, near Toledo, Ohio, September 7, 1941. (Photo by AP Photo/DW)

Plebes form a human pyramid to place an upperclassman hat atop the 21-foot vegetable shortening-covered Herndon Monument, a tradition marking the end of their plebe year at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, U.S., May 23, 2022. (Photo by Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

Two citizens splash hot water which is quickly frozen in the cold air on January 7, 2021 in Beijing, China. A strong cold wave sweeps across China as the Chinese capital Beijing recorded 19.5 Celsius below zero on 06 January morning, the lowest temperature since 1966, according to meteorological authorities. (Photo by Peng Yucai/VCG via Getty Images)

A woman eats an ice cream as people sunbathe on the beach in Barcelona, Spain, Friday, January 26, 2024. Spain's weather agency says recent abnormally high temperatures for this time of year are set to continue in many parts of Spain on Friday and over the weekend, with an almost summer-like feeling in many coastal areas as people take to the beaches to sunbathe and some to have a winter swim. (Photo by Emilio Morenatti/AP Photo)

Paige Vanzant, an ex-UFC star, and Mikael-Michelle Brown battle it out to be slap champion at the Power Slap in Las Vegas on March 7, 2025. (Photo by Louis Grasse/PX Imagens via ZUMA Press Wire/Rex Features/Shutterstock)