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 January 3, 2018 photo several female Gelada baboons, also known as bleeding-heart baboons, cuddle with their youngs in order to keep warm at the Wilhelma zoo in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Sebastian Gollnow/DPA via AP Photo)

An employee builds up the figure of the Queen of Hearts from the movie Alice in Wonderland (2010) in the immersive exhibition “Tim Burton's Labyrinth” in Berlin on July 8, 2024. From July 19, 2024, the international exhibition ”Tim Burton's Labyrinth” can be experienced at the Radsetzerei in Berlin. (Photo by Ronny Hartmann/AFP Photo)

People make a heart shaped gesture as they look at the first sunrise of the year during New Year's celebrations at a park on January 1, 2023 in Seoul, South Korea. Seoul's New Years celebrations returns this year after it was cancelled during the Covid Pandemic. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

Kaia Gerber attends the LOVE Magazine LFW Party, celebrating issue 23 at The Standard, London on February 17, 2020 in London, England. LOVE magazine is welcoming Ben Cobb as Editor-In-Chief Men's, Graham Rounthwaite as Creative Director, and Oliver Volquardsen as Fashion Director. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for LOVE Magazine)

Several hundred swimmers took a sunrise dip in the North Sea at Portobello Beach, for the International Women’s Day Swimrise on March 08, 2022 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Women from all backgrounds, abilities and ages come together in aid of Edinburgh Women’s Aid, Edinburgh Rape Crisis and Held in Our Hearts. (Photo by Jeff J. Mitchell/Getty Images)

Skywhale and Skywhalepapa, created by artist Patricia Piccinini before flying over Melbourne on March 19, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. It is the first time Piccinini's work Skywhales: Every Heart Sings has flown over Melbourne, as part of MPavilion. (Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images)

Enigmatic Italian forward Mario Balotelli is always good for drama, so Fanny Neguesha is perfect for him. With her racy Instagram shots and wild ways, she might be the one to tame Super Mario’s heart. The couple was engaged to marry this week. (Photo by Splash News/Getty Images/Instagram.com)