A reveller smeared in vermilion powder celebrates the Bisket Jatra Festival in Thimi in the Bhaktapur District on the outskirts of Kathmandu on April 15, 2023. (Photo by Prakash Mathema/AFP Photo)

Shoes worn by cosplayer dressed as Elizabeth Goddess during the Otamatsuri Anime x Manga convention held in Nairobi, Kenya on August 24, 2023. (Photo by Sarah Waiswa/The Guardian)

Vivid colors and bizarre shapes come together in a false-color image that could be an illustration for a fantasy story. This labyrinth of exotic features winds its way along the edge of Russia’s Chaunskaya Bay in northeastern Siberia, seen as a vivid blue half-circle at the bottom of the image Two major rivers, the Chaun and Palyavaam, flow into the bay, which in turn opens into the Arctic Ocean. Ribbon lakes and bogs are present throughout the area, created by depressions left by receding glaciers. (Photo by USGS/NASA)

U.S. Marines kick in a door while securing a building next to the main hospital in central Baghdad April 15, 2003, which will be used as a temporary Iraqi police headquarters. (Photo by Jerry Lampen/Reuters)

Tibetan pilgrims walk outside the Sera Monastery in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, China, 11 September 2016. Sera Monastery is known as one of the “great three” Gelug university monasteries of Tibet founded in 1419. (Photo by How Hwee Young/EPA)

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)

Coast and marine winner: Storm Gull (Lesser black-backed gull), New Haven, East Sussex. (Photo by Craig Denford/British Wildlife Photography Awards)

Beautiful red sunset sky over Edinburgh, Scotland. Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland and a popular tourist destination. It is also a major European financial (fund management) centre. Prominent buildings from left to right are: Edinburgh Castle, The Balmoral Hotel Clock Tower and The Scott Monument. (Photo by John Lawson/Getty Images)