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)

Tibetan monks dressed as demons attend the Beating Ghost festival at the Yonghe Temple, also known as the Lama Temple, in Beijing on March 19, 2015. The Beating Ghost festival, or Da Gui festival in Chinese, is an important ritual of Tibetan Buddhism and is believed to expel evil spirits and shake off troubles. (Photo by Wang Zhao/AFP Photo)

A Ukrainian serviceman of the 3rd Assault Brigade fires a 122mm mortar towards Russian positions at the front line, near Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Sunday, July 2, 2023. (Photo by Alex Babenko/AP Photo)

American actress Logan Browning attends Cocktails with the SAG Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on January 16, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images)

American singer Bleta “Bebe” Rexha poses with fans at the iHeartRadio MuchMusic Video Awards (MMVAs) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on August 26, 2018. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Reuters)

Charlize Theron attends the 33rd American Cinematheque Award Presentation Honoring Charlize Theron and The 5th Annual Sid Grauman Award Presented by Hill Valley to Adam Aron on behalf of AMC Theatres at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on November 08, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Variety/Rex Features/Shutterstock)

New parents Chrissy Teigen and John Legend are seen leaving Khloe Kardashian's 32nd birthday party held at Dave and Buster's in Hollywood, California on June 28, 2016. (Photo by Splash News)

A highland cow grazing high above the River Tweed at Thormylee in the Scottish Borders strikes a formidable pose in the morning light on May 3, 2023. (Photo by Phil Wilkinson/The Times)