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)

Rich Paul, Simon, Tristan Thompson, Khloe Kardashian, Lucas Newton, Kendall Jenner, Justine Skye, Jordan Woods and Kylie Jenner pose for a photo as Remy Martin celebrates Tristan Thompson's Birthday at Beauty in Los Angeles on March 1, 2018. (Photo by Jerritt ClarkJerritt Clark/Getty Images for Remy Martin)

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)

Chinese-American actress Bai Ling attends “The Key” screening at The Real Experimental Film Festival at Laemmle's Music Hall on November 21, 2014 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Barry King/WireImage)

English singer, songwriter and model Sophie Ellis-Bextor performs at G-A-Y at The Astoria on February 17, 2007 in London, England. (Photo by Jo Hale/Getty Images)

This is the moment a diver appears to shake hands with a giant 52ft whale. The divers were just metres away when one humpback whale – which weighs 36,000kg – extends its giant flipper in a peaceful manner. (Photo by Masa Ushioda/SeaPics/Solent News & Photo Agency)

View at one of the sculptures by Swiss artist H.R. Giger during the opening of the Ars Electronica 2013 exhibition “HR Giger. The Art of Biomechanics” in Linz, Austria, 04 September 2013. (Photo by EPA/RUBRA)

Keith Haubrich of Seattle, Wash., reacts to the crowd while competing in the Dali Moustache division during the fourth annual Just For Men National Beard and Moustache Championships Saturday, September 7, 2013 in New Orleans. Haubrich went on to win the gold medal for the Dali division.Contestants competed in 18 different categories including Dali, full beard natural and sideburns.(Photo by Susan Poag/AP Photo)