Fire over Vieira de Leiria, Portugal, on October 16, 2017 as a series of deadly wildfires broke out across Spain and Portugal as the approach of Hurricane Ophelia whipped up strong winds that fanned the flames. (Photo by Helio Madeiras/News Pictures)

Prepare yourself for some rib-tickling laughter because the Comedy Wildlife Awards has announced its finalists. Founded by Tanzania-based photographers Paul Joynson-Hicks MBE and Tom Sullam, the aim of the awards is to put a spotlight on wildlife conservation efforts while simultaneously injecting some humour into the world of wildlife photography. Here: Mountains Gorilla is making grimaces, as he came out of the bush after the rain, in Virunga National Park, Rwanda. (Photo by Josef Friedhuber/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards/Barcroft Media)

A priest is seen looking out of Abuna Yemata church’s only window. Priests cheerfully tell visitors that pregnant women, babies and old people attend Sunday services and no one has fallen off. (Photo by Ethiopia – The Living Churches of an Ancient Kingdom/The American University in Cairo Press/The Guardian)

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)

Marie Lou looks out of the window of gypsy folklore wagon on May 24, 2016 in Staintes Maries de la Mere near Arles, France. Gypsies from all over Europe worship “Sara the Black”, their Saint and patroness, for one week. Sara's statue is situated in the crypt of the church. She wears a multicoloured dress and will carried by the gypsies to the sea at this afternoon. (Photo by Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images)

After model Giulia Salemi attended the Venice Film Festival in a dress that looked like she had forgotten her underwear The Sun adapted a dress and Anita Kaushik 24 from Southfields went out on the London streets to share her experience on September 5, 2016. (Photo by Stewart Williams/The Sun)

A fan of K-pop idol boy band BTS poses for photographs with cut-out of BTS at a pop-up store selling BTS goods in Seoul, South Korea, December 24, 2019. (Photo by Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters)

Cyril Despres of France tries to get his Peugeot out of the sand as co-pilot David Castera pushes the car during the 10th stage of the Dakar Rally 2016 near Fiambala, Argentina, January 13, 2016. (Photo by Marcos Brindicci/Reuters)