Children sit under a crocodile based table, as they pose for photographers during a press preview of a themed auction that features the animal as artistic inspiration, entitled “Creatures Great and Small”, in London, Monday, December 15, 2014. The sale scheduled for December 17, 2014, explores animals across a diverse range of mediums and styles, from intricate carving details in 19th century furniture through to contemporary sculpture, according to Christie’s auction house. (Photo by Lefteris Pitarakis/AP Photo)

A model holds a dog presenting a creation by Anthony Rubio during New York Fashion Week, in New York City, U.S., September 13, 2025. (Photo by Caitlin Ochs/Reuters)

A racegoers cheers on her horse in Race 4 ahead of the race of the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, November 7, 2017. (Photo by Andy Brownbill/AP Photo)

A Sumatran Tiger tears apart a wrapped Christmas present at Taronga Zoo on December 21, 2011 in Sydney, Australia. Animals received Christmas themed enrichment foods as part of the Zoo's regular program to encourage the animals to forage for food and help improve hunting abilities. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

American actress Paris Jackson pulls faces at photographers during the “Melbourne Cup” race day festivities in Melbourne, Australia on November 7, 2017. (Photo by Media-Mode/Splash News and Pictures)

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)

Khansa, an eight month old critically endangered Bornean orangutan shows off it's two front-teeth, at the Singapore Zoo on Thursday, January 11, 2018 in Singapore. The Singapore Zoo is active with its breeding programs as part of its wildlife preservation efforts. This is the Zoo's 46th successful orangutan birth. (Photo by Wong Maye-E/AP Photo)

A handful of villages in the U.K. share the same name as cities or countries from around the world, and they’re spending life in the shadows of their more famous namesakes. Photo: A road sign points the way on August 6, 2013 in Toronto, England. Originally called Newton Cap in the county of Durham, built for workers at the nearby colliery, owner Henry Stobart re-named the village Toronto after visiting Canada. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)