Boeing 747-400 of KLM in approach for the “Princess Juliana” airport, Netherlands Antilles Sint Maarten on July 2, 2002. (Photo by LUPOO/Ullstein Bild via Getty Images)

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)

An anti-government protester shouts at a police officer in downtown Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, May 10, 2017. Opponents of President Nicolas Maduro will attempt to march to the Supreme Court to protest its decision to gut the opposition-controlled congress of its powers, a ruling that was quickly rescinded under a barrage of international criticism but that set off weeks of political unrest that have left some three dozens killed. (Photo by Fernando Llano/AP Photo)

“The Reward”. “A spot that a friend and I found that takes a bit of effort to get to. Needs the right swell and wind direction to come together for the backwash to really happen. We had been many times with OK results, but this morning everything lined up perfectly and I was rewarded with this split-second moment in time under some amazing morning light”. (Photo by Scott Harrison/2019 UK Surf Photo of the Year)

A young Afghan vendor waits for customers to buy sheep's heads at a roadside stall at the busy market in Kabul on November 29, 2015. (Photo by Wakil Kohsar/AFP Photo)

Norway's Karsten Warholm celebrates winning the men's 400m hurdles at the Diamond League in London, July 21, 2018. (Photo by Andrew Boyers/Action Images via Reuters)

A man walks on a slackline during the 7th edition of the European “Marmotte Highline Project” (MHP) festival in Lans-en-Vercors, near Grenoble, eastern France, on July 4, 2019. The event, during which the participants will be able to evolve on the various highlines located in the Regional Natural Park of Vercors, takes place until July 7, 2019. (Photo by Philippe Desmazes/AFP Photo)

Mangrove in Walakiri Beach after Sunset in East Sumba, Indonesia in 2018. (Photo by Sarubabel Malau/Rex Features/Shutterstock)