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)

Ballet dancer and performer Ashlee Montague of New York wears a gas mask while she dances in Times Square as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak continued in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., March 18, 2020. (Photo by Andrew Kelly/Reuters)

Sailors pause to take a photo with characters in Times Square during “Fleet Week 2024” in New York City on May 22, 2024. (Photo by Caitlin Ochs/Reuters)

Two men dressed as the Statue of Liberty look for tourists to pose with them for pictures in exchange for donations in New York's Times Square on January 20, 2015. (Photo by Jewel Samad/AFP Photo)

A man walks though Times Square in high heels during unseasonably warm weather on Christmas Eve in the Manhattan borough of New York December 24, 2015. (Photo by Carlo Allegri/Reuters)

Two men play golf with a tennis ball as a snowstorm sweeps through Times Square, Tuesday, March 14, 2017, in New York. (Photo by Mark Lennihan/AP Photo)

People without face masks are seen at Times Square during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in New York City, U.S., March 11, 2021. (Photo by Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)

A performer plays the violin as a passerby wears a mask in Times Square as Manhattan is shrouded in haze and smoke which drifted south from wildfires in Canada, in New York City, New York, U.S., June 7, 2023. (Photo by Maye-E Wong/Reuters)