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34 Most Surprising Photos of the Month

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Time looks back over the past month to present a selection of underreported, improbable and astounding images that caught the attention of our photo editors. From skiing with a duck and throwing turnips at the devil to Niagara Falls freezing over and a pair of conjoined whales beaching in Baja, each photograph, we trust, maintains it’s ability to utterly, thoroughly surprise.

People throw turnips at the Jarramplas as he makes his way through the streets beating his drum during the Jarramplas Festival in Piornal, Spain, Jan. 20, 2014. Jarramplas is a character that wears a costume made from colorful strips of fabric, and a devil-like mask and beats a drum through the streets of Piornal while residents throw turnips as a punishment for stealing cattle. The exact origin of the festival are not known, various theories exist from the mythological punishment of Caco by Hercules, to a cattle thief ridiculed and expelled by his neighbors.
People throw turnips at the Jarramplas as he makes his way through the streets beating his drum during the Jarramplas Festival in Piornal, Spain, Jan. 20, 2014. Jarramplas is a character that wears a costume made from colorful strips of fabric, and a devil-like mask and beats a drum through the streets of Piornal while residents throw turnips as a punishment for stealing cattle. The exact origin of the festival are not known, various theories exist from the mythological punishment of Caco by Hercules, to a cattle thief ridiculed and expelled by his neighbors. Andres Kudacki—AP
The U.S. side of the Niagara Falls is pictured in Ontario, Jan. 8, 2014.
The U.S. side of the Niagara Falls is pictured in Ontario, Jan. 8, 2014. Aaron Harris—Reuters
A huge tire blocks the door where Goodyear Factory production workers, Michel Dheilly and Bernard Glesser, were being detained by workers, Jan. 6, 2014, in Amiens, France.
A huge tire blocks the door where Goodyear Factory production workers, Michel Dheilly and Bernard Glesser, were being detained by workers, Jan. 6, 2014, in Amiens, France. Michael Bunel—Michael Bunel/NurPhoto
Panda Li Li plays on a tree in the sunshine in a Hangzhou zoo in east China's Zhejiang province, Jan. 1, 2014.
Panda Li Li plays on a tree in the sunshine in a Hangzhou zoo in east China's Zhejiang province, Jan. 1, 2014. Ropi—Zuma Press
A man wearing a large puppet head and Palestinian stone-throwing protesters run as tear gas is fired by Israeli soldiers during clashes at a weekly demonstration against Jewish settlements in the West Bank village of Bilin, near Ramallah Jan. 3, 2014.
A man wearing a large puppet head and Palestinian stone-throwing protesters run as tear gas is fired by Israeli soldiers during clashes at a weekly demonstration against Jewish settlements in the West Bank village of Bilin, near Ramallah Jan. 3, 2014. Mohamad Torokman—Reuters
This handout photo released by the National Commission for Protected Natural Areas shows two conjoined gray whale calves at the Ojo de Liebre lagoon, in Los Cabos resort, state of Baja California, Mexico, on Jan. 5, 2014.
This handout photo released by the National Commission for Protected Natural Areas shows two conjoined gray whale calves at the Ojo de Liebre lagoon, in Los Cabos resort, state of Baja California, Mexico, on Jan. 5, 2014.Conan Pho—AFP/Getty Images
This handout picture released on Jan. 6, 2014 by the Vatican press office shows Pope Francis carrying a lamb on his shoulders as he visits the parish of the Sant'Alfonso Maria de Liguori during Epiphany in Rome.
This handout picture released on Jan. 6, 2014 by the Vatican press office shows Pope Francis carrying a lamb on his shoulders as he visits the parish of the Sant'Alfonso Maria de Liguori during Epiphany in Rome. Osservatore Romano—AFP/Getty Images
A lone tree stands in a snowy field in Hovel, England, Jan. 6, 2014.
A lone tree stands in a snowy field in Hovel, England, Jan. 6, 2014.Peter Macdiarmid—Getty Images
Sinabung mount spews ash to the air during an eruption near Karo, North Sumatra, Indonesia, Jan. 7, 2014.
Sinabung mount spews ash to the air during an eruption near Karo, North Sumatra, Indonesia, Jan. 7, 2014. Suntanta Aditya—AFP/Getty Images
Former Cuban president, Fidel Castro, appeared in public for the first time in nine months, Jan. 8, 2014, when he attended the opening of Kcho Romerillo, Laboratory for Art, in Havana, Cuba, as seen in this image grab from a video.
Former Cuban president, Fidel Castro, appeared in public for the first time in nine months, Jan. 8, 2014, when he attended the opening of Kcho Romerillo, Laboratory for Art, in Havana, Cuba, as seen in this image grab from a video.AFP/Getty Images
Children play around a man disguised as Batman in the Favela do Metro slum in Rio de Janeiro, Jan. 9, 2014. Families living in this shantytown within a stone's throw of Rio 's mythical Maracana stadium refuse to have their homes demolished as part of a project to renovate the district before the FIFA World Cup circus pitches camp in June.
Children play around a man disguised as Batman in the Favela do Metro slum in Rio de Janeiro, Jan. 9, 2014. Families living in this shantytown within a stone's throw of Rio 's mythical Maracana stadium refuse to have their homes demolished as part of a project to renovate the district before the FIFA World Cup circus pitches camp in June.Yasuyoshi Chiba—AFP/Getty Images
Bacon hangs to dry from a third-floor apartment window in Wuhan, China, Jan. 9, 2014.
Bacon hangs to dry from a third-floor apartment window in Wuhan, China, Jan. 9, 2014. HAP—Quirky China News/Rex USA
Members of India's Border Security Force rehearse for the Republic Day, 2014, celebrations on Rajpath in New Delhi, India, Jan. 11, 2014.
Members of India's Border Security Force rehearse for the Republic Day, 2014, celebrations on Rajpath in New Delhi, India, Jan. 11, 2014. Zheng Huansong—Xinhua/Landov
Chickens are seen in the midst of plants covered by ash from Mount Sinabung near Sigarang-Garang village in Karo district, Indonesia's North Sumatra province, Jan. 12, 2014.
Chickens are seen in the midst of plants covered by ash from Mount Sinabung near Sigarang-Garang village in Karo district, Indonesia's North Sumatra province, Jan. 12, 2014. Roni Bintang—Reuters
A contestant skis with his pet duck during a skiing-with-pets competition at a ski resort in Sanmenxia, Henan province, Jan. 12, 2014.
A contestant skis with his pet duck during a skiing-with-pets competition at a ski resort in Sanmenxia, Henan province, Jan. 12, 2014. China Daily/Reuters
Daredevil Xie Yujun leaps over the frozen Heilongjiang River in a stunt car in Heihe, north China's Heilongjiang province, Jan. 12, 2014.
Daredevil Xie Yujun leaps over the frozen Heilongjiang River in a stunt car in Heihe, north China's Heilongjiang province, Jan. 12, 2014. Qiu Qilong—Xinhua/Landov
An Indian girl tries to pick up a coin in the mud of the Ganges River at Harwood point, 90 kms south of Calcutta, eastern India, Jan. 12, 2014. Coins were offered by pilgrims on their way to take a holy dip at Gangasagar for the upcoming Gangasagar annual fair.
An Indian girl tries to pick up a coin in the mud of the Ganges River at Harwood point, 90 kms south of Calcutta, eastern India, Jan. 12, 2014. Coins were offered by pilgrims on their way to take a holy dip at Gangasagar for the upcoming Gangasagar annual fair. Piyal Adhikary—EPA
A stuffed lion on display is seen between two Ethiopian officials prior to a meeting between Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, and his Ethiopian counterpart, Hailemariam Desalegn, at the Presidential Palace in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Jan. 13,2014.
A stuffed lion on display is seen between two Ethiopian officials prior to a meeting between Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, and his Ethiopian counterpart, Hailemariam Desalegn, at the Presidential Palace in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Jan. 13,2014. Dai Kurokawa—EPA
From left: Massimo Sinato, Rebecca Mir, Lexy Hill, Maite Kelly, Florent Raimond, guest, Johanna Klum attend the Rebekka Ruetz show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Berlin, Jan. 14, 2014.
From left: Massimo Sinato, Rebecca Mir, Lexy Hill, Maite Kelly, Florent Raimond, guest, Johanna Klum attend the Rebekka Ruetz show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Berlin, Jan. 14, 2014.Andreas Rentz—Getty Images for
A worker stuffs a toy bear with cotton at a toy factory in Wuhan, Hubei province, Jan. 15, 2014.
A worker stuffs a toy bear with cotton at a toy factory in Wuhan, Hubei province, Jan. 15, 2014. Darley Shen—Reuters
An anatomically correct female mannequin is displayed at the American Apparel store in the SoHo area of Manhattan, New York, Jan. 16, 2014. American Apparel's Lower East Side "Valentine's Day" window celebrates natural beauty, inviting passersby to explore the idea of what is "sexy" and consider their comfort with the natural female form, according to the company.
An anatomically correct female mannequin is displayed at the American Apparel store in the SoHo area of Manhattan, New York, Jan. 16, 2014. American Apparel's Lower East Side "Valentine's Day" window celebrates natural beauty, inviting passersby to explore the idea of what is "sexy" and consider their comfort with the natural female form, according to the company. Brendan McDermid—Reuters
Brendan Powell falls from Flaming Charmer in the Higos Insurance Services Street Novices' Limited Handicap Steeple Chase in Wincanton, England, Jan. 16, 2014.
Brendan Powell falls from Flaming Charmer in the Higos Insurance Services Street Novices' Limited Handicap Steeple Chase in Wincanton, England, Jan. 16, 2014. Alan Crowhurst—Getty Images
A pilot hangs from a parachute in a tree after the crash of his German Air Force Tornado fighter jet near Autobahn A48 near Kaisersesch, Germany, Jan. 16, 2014. The pilot and copilot were able to eject before the plane crashed.
A pilot hangs from a parachute in a tree after the crash of his German Air Force Tornado fighter jet near Autobahn A48 near Kaisersesch, Germany, Jan. 16, 2014. The pilot and copilot were able to eject before the plane crashed. Andreas Walz—Corbis
A man swims in a lake in Minsk, Jan. 18, 2014. Orthodox believers mark Epiphany by immersing themselves in icy waters regardless of the weather.
A man swims in a lake in Minsk, Jan. 18, 2014. Orthodox believers mark Epiphany by immersing themselves in icy waters regardless of the weather. Vasily Fedosenko—Reuters
Japanese Macaque monkeys soak in the warmth of mountain hotsprings at Jigokudani Monkey Park, in Yamanouchi, central Japan, Jan. 19, 2014.
Japanese Macaque monkeys soak in the warmth of mountain hotsprings at Jigokudani Monkey Park, in Yamanouchi, central Japan, Jan. 19, 2014. Kimimasa Mayama—EPA
A topless man holds his girlfriend hostage with a knife atop a residential building in Sanya, Hainan province, Jan. 20, 2014. According to local media, the man, surnamed Lin, held his girlfriend hostage to threaten both families into allowing their marriage. Lin stood off with police on the roof for several hours and was arrested soon after he got down the building.
A topless man holds his girlfriend hostage with a knife atop a residential building in Sanya, Hainan province, Jan. 20, 2014. According to local media, the man, surnamed Lin, held his girlfriend hostage to threaten both families into allowing their marriage. Lin stood off with police on the roof for several hours and was arrested soon after he got down the building. China Stringer Network/Reuters
A model presents a creation from Charlie Le Mindu's Spring/Summer 2014 Haute Couture collection during Paris' Fashion Week, Jan. 20, 2014.
A model presents a creation from Charlie Le Mindu's Spring/Summer 2014 Haute Couture collection during Paris' Fashion Week, Jan. 20, 2014. Yoan Valat—EPA
Chicken made of soy is on display at the Veggie World Trade Fair at the Rhein-Main-Hallen in Wiesbaden, Germany, Jan. 24, 2014.
Chicken made of soy is on display at the Veggie World Trade Fair at the Rhein-Main-Hallen in Wiesbaden, Germany, Jan. 24, 2014. Fredrik Von Erichsen—Zuma Press
Even though over a foot of snow blanketed the city, workers in Central Park are making more for an upcoming Winter Jam event, in New York, Jan. 22, 2014.
Even though over a foot of snow blanketed the city, workers in Central Park are making more for an upcoming Winter Jam event, in New York, Jan. 22, 2014.Damon WInter—The New York Times
An attendee watches a virtual presentation of a bomb explosion in Syria, using a head-mounted visual display, on the opening day of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 22, 2014.
An attendee watches a virtual presentation of a bomb explosion in Syria, using a head-mounted visual display, on the opening day of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 22, 2014. Jason Alden—Bloomberg/Getty Images
Rwandan African Union peacekeepers remove the lucky charms from a suspected Anti-Balaka Christian man who was found with a rifle and a grenade following looting in the Muslim market of the PK13 district of Bangui, Central African Republic, Jan. 22, 2014.
Rwandan African Union peacekeepers remove the lucky charms from a suspected Anti-Balaka Christian man who was found with a rifle and a grenade following looting in the Muslim market of the PK13 district of Bangui, Central African Republic, Jan. 22, 2014. Jerome Delay—AP
A protester breaks up a mannequin on the roof of the burned truck during clashes with police in central Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday Jan. 23, 2014.
A protester breaks up a mannequin on the roof of the burned truck during clashes with police in central Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday Jan. 23, 2014. Sergei Grits—AP
Indian Border Security Force dog squad personnel take part in a march during Republic Day celebrations in Jammu, India, Jan. 26, 2014.
Indian Border Security Force dog squad personnel take part in a march during Republic Day celebrations in Jammu, India, Jan. 26, 2014. Alok Pathania—AFP/Getty Images
A dove released during an Angelus prayer conducted by Pope Francis is attacked by a seagull in Saint Peter's square at the Vatican, Jan. 26, 2014.
A dove released during an Angelus prayer conducted by Pope Francis is attacked by a seagull in Saint Peter's square at the Vatican, Jan. 26, 2014. Alessandro Bianchi—Reuters

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