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)

A general view of Hong Kong's business district is seen Thursday, August 1, 2013. (Photo by Vincent Yu/AP Photo)

Mature woman lying on bed, rear view. (Photo by Andersen Ross/Getty Images)

People view the sunrise scene at the Bund in Shanghai, east China, January 1, 2017. (Photo by Wang Hechun/Xinhua/Barcroft Images)

Pedestrians and traffic cross Tower Bridge as viewed through a glass viewing platform on the high-level Walkways during a preview to launch the new viewing experience at the Tower Bridge Exhibition centre in London on November 10, 2014. The new glass flooring at the Tower Bridge Exhibition 42 metres above the river Thames will allow visitors to gaze down on the bridge and river and allow them to experience the bridge opening from above. (Photo by Andrew Cowie/AFP Photo)

A person viewing the Northern lights over the lava landscape, Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland. (Photo by Arctic-Images/Getty Images)

General view of the Jacquemus Menswear Spring Summer 2020 show on June 24, 2019 in Valensole, France. (Photo by WWD/Rex Features/Shutterstock)

A view through mist shows the Kirk of Saint Mary Magdalene in Primorsk, Leningrad Region, Russia on March 24, 2019. (Photo by Anton Vaganov/Reuters)