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)

January 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders take a picture in the confetti after the game against the Green Bay Packers in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Atlanta defeated Green Bay 44-21. (Photo by Jason Getz/USA TODAY Sports)

A man dressed as a traditional character in the “Baile de Negras” dance poses for a picture on the feast day of the Virgin of the Candelaria (Candlemas) in the town of Diriomo, some 45 km from Managua, Nicaragua on February 2, 2017 Candlemas falls forty days after Christmas and is celebrated by Catholics as the presentation of Christ at the Temple. (Photo by Inti Ocon/AFP Photo)

A picture made available on 08 February 2017 shows staff playing with cats inside the Super Very Very Important Cat (VVIC) room at the CATZONIA cat hotel in Damansara, outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 07 February 2017. (Photo by Fazry Ismail/EPA)

Two young women, having enjoyed a drink at a party, dance together in Tehran, Iran. Although unrelated men and women are forbidden to socialise together many people ignore these strictures in the privacy of their own homes. (Photo by Hossein Fatemi/Reuters/Panos Pictures/Courtesy of World Press Photo Foundation)

Emily Ratajkowski sun bathes at Paradise Cove in Malibu, CA on March 9, 2017. Emily showed off her stunning figure in a white bikini and large sunhat. She sipped beer as she relaxed with her boyfriend Jeff Magid. (Photo by Splash News and Pictures)

In this Sunday, March 12, 2017, picture a Don Sphinx cat reaches for a judge while being evaluated, in Bucharest, Romania. More than 1,500 dogs and 150 cats from twelve countries were evaluated during a three day pet show and competition in the Romanian capital. (Photo by Vadim Ghirda/AP Photo)

Venezuelan tattoo artist and body modifier Emilio Gonzalez (L) takes a picture of the eyeball tattoo on Eduardo Henriquez, 19, of Chile during the latin america convention of tattoo and suspension in Valparaiso city November 8, 2015. (Photo by Rodrigo Garrido/Reuters)