Racegoers brave the conditions during 2022 Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington Racecourse on November 1, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Martin Keep/Getty Images for VRC)

Giant panda Xiao Qi Ji plays at his enclosure at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, Thursday, September 28, 2023. (Photo by Jose Luis Magana/AP Photo)

Big waves approach the beach of Nazare, Portugal, Tuesday, March 26, 2024. The high waves were caused by strong winds at one of the world's most popular surf spots. (Photo by Michael Probst/AP Photo)

A Palestinian man walks on the beach, as storm winds blow, near a camp for internally displaced on the beach near the Nuseirat refugee in the central Gaza Strip on December 20, 2024, amid the continuing war between Israel and Hamas. (Photo by Eyad Baba/AFP Photo)

17-year-old dance student Amelia Hubbard of Halesowen, West Midlands, takes to the park in south Birmingham, United Kingdom on April 14, 2022 to do some spring moves, as temperatures soar in the UK on Good Friday.(Photo by Peter Lopeman/Alamy Live News)

The bride in her room, prepared for a traditional Chechen wedding ceremony in Grozny, Chechnya, Russia on November 24, 2016. (Photo by Valery Sharifulin/TASS)

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)

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)