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30 Most Surprising Photos of the Month

1 minute read

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 a horse that lives in a house to a giant baby Jesus, each photograph, we trust, will surprise you.

Christopher Rivera
The body of boxer Christopher Rivera, who was shot to death on Sunday, is propped up in a fake boxing ring during his wake at the community recreation center within the public housing project where he lived in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Jan. 31, 2014.Ricardo Arduengo—AP
A broken glass of a niche where the reliquary with the blood of the late Pope John Paul II was located is seen next to a painting of the late Pope in the small mountain church of San Pietro della Ienca, near the city of L'Aquila Jan. 28, 2014 .Thieves broke into a small church in the mountains east of Rome and stole the reliquary with the blood of the late Pope John Paul II, a custodian said.
A broken glass of a niche where the reliquary with the blood of the late Pope John Paul II was located is seen next to a painting of the late Pope in the small mountain church of San Pietro della Ienca, near the city of L'Aquila Jan. 28, 2014 .Thieves broke into a small church in the mountains east of Rome and stole the reliquary with the blood of the late Pope John Paul II, a custodian said. Max Rossi—Reuters
A car sits in dried and cracked earth of what was the bottom of the Almaden Reservoir on Jan. 28, 2014 in San Jose, California.
A car sits in dried and cracked earth of what was the bottom of the Almaden Reservoir on Jan. 28, 2014 in San Jose, California.Justin Sullivan—Getty Images
An eight-month-old trained monkey sits on a can next to his owner, holding the leash as they wait for customers to perform to in a park in Islamabad, Pakistan, Jan. 31, 2014.
An eight-month-old trained monkey sits on a can next to his owner, holding the leash as they wait for customers to perform to in a park in Islamabad, Pakistan, Jan. 31, 2014.Muhammed Muheisen—AP
Wind spouts (L and R) appear over the volcanic ash covered landscape in Berastepu village, in the district of Karo near the Mount Sinabung volcano in Indonesia Jan. 26, 2014.
Wind spouts (L and R) appear over the volcanic ash covered landscape in Berastepu village, in the district of Karo near the Mount Sinabung volcano in Indonesia Jan. 26, 2014. Sutanta Aditya—AFP/Getty Images
A model presents a creation by Txell Miras during the Autumn-Winter 2014-2015 fashion week in Barcelona on Jan. 29, 2014.
A model presents a creation by Txell Miras during the Autumn-Winter 2014-2015 fashion week in Barcelona on Jan. 29, 2014. Josep Lago—AFP/Getty Images
Ludmila (L) and Tofig Akhundov perform with their hippopotamuses in a circus in Minsk, Belarus , on Jan. 30, 2014.
Ludmila (L) and Tofig Akhundov perform with their hippopotamuses in a circus in Minsk, Belarus , on Jan. 30, 2014. Viktor Drachev—AFP/Getty Images
Graffiti marks the stump of a tree felled as part of a plan to remove alien vegetation and reduce fire risks in Cape Town's Table Mountain National Park, Jan. 27, 2014. The city's iconic backdrop is rich in floral biodiversity and forms part of the Cape Floral Kingdom World Heritage Site.
Graffiti marks the stump of a tree felled as part of a plan to remove alien vegetation and reduce fire risks in Cape Town's Table Mountain National Park, Jan. 27, 2014. The city's iconic backdrop is rich in floral biodiversity and forms part of the Cape Floral Kingdom World Heritage Site.Mike Hutchings—Reuters
A Patron of the New York City Ballet walks along a massive photograph on linoleum flooring featuring over 80 dancers arranged in an array of poses at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center, Jan. 28, 2014, in New York. The work of French-born artist JR, winner of the 2011 TED Prize and known for his large-scale photography projects, was made by staging a photo shoot of the artists lying down pushing and pulling on a white crinkled paper. It will remain in place through March 2.
A Patron of the New York City Ballet walks along a massive photograph on linoleum flooring featuring over 80 dancers arranged in an array of poses at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center, Jan. 28, 2014, in New York. The work of French-born artist JR, winner of the 2011 TED Prize and known for his large-scale photography projects, was made by staging a photo shoot of the artists lying down pushing and pulling on a white crinkled paper. It will remain in place through March 2. Craig Ruttle—AP
Members of the Morphix Group inspect the eyelashes of a baby Jesus statue to be displayed during the annual Candlemas celebrations at the Sanctuary of the Lord of the Holy Sepulchre in the Iztapalapa borough of Mexico City February 1, 2014.
Members of the Morphix Group inspect the eyelashes of a baby Jesus statue to be displayed during the annual Candlemas celebrations at the Sanctuary of the Lord of the Holy Sepulchre in the Iztapalapa borough of Mexico City February 1, 2014.Tomas Bravo—Reuters
Sadhus, or Hindu holy men, perform prayers while sitting inside circles of burning "Upale" (or dried cow dung cakes) on the banks of the river Ganges during the Magh Mela festival in the northern Indian city of Allahabad Feb. 4, 2014.
Sadhus, or Hindu holy men, perform prayers while sitting inside circles of burning "Upale" (or dried cow dung cakes) on the banks of the river Ganges during the Magh Mela festival in the northern Indian city of Allahabad Feb. 4, 2014. Jitendra Prakash—Reuters
Two stallions fight during a traditional Chinese New Year horse fighting competition for the Year of the Horse at the Miao Minority village of Tiantou in Guangxi Province, Feb. 2, 2014. For the residents of Tiantou, a remote village in the Guangxi region, the 500-year-old tradition which pits male horses against each other in a fight over a female was the only way to kick off the Lunar New Year.
Two stallions fight during a traditional Chinese New Year horse fighting competition for the Year of the Horse at the Miao Minority village of Tiantou in Guangxi Province, Feb. 2, 2014. For the residents of Tiantou, a remote village in the Guangxi region, the 500-year-old tradition which pits male horses against each other in a fight over a female was the only way to kick off the Lunar New Year. Mark Ralston—AFP/Getty Images
A statue of a man sleepwalking in his underpants is surrounded by snow on the campus of Wellesley College, in Wellesley, Mass., Feb. 5, 2014. The sculpture entitled "Sleepwalker" is part of an exhibit by sculptor Tony Matelli at the college's Davis Museum.
A statue of a man sleepwalking in his underpants is surrounded by snow on the campus of Wellesley College, in Wellesley, Mass., Feb. 5, 2014. The sculpture entitled "Sleepwalker" is part of an exhibit by sculptor Tony Matelli at the college's Davis Museum.Steven Senne—AP
Divaldo Aguiar, who plays the part of Pachencho, lies inside a mock coffin as villagers splash rum into Aguiar's mouth during the Burial of Pachencho celebration at a cemetery in Santiago de Las Vegas, Cuba, Feb. 5.
Divaldo Aguiar, who plays the part of Pachencho, lies inside a mock coffin as villagers splash rum into Aguiar's mouth during the Burial of Pachencho celebration at a cemetery in Santiago de Las Vegas, Cuba, Feb. 5. Franklin Reyes—AP
The man that works as the mascot "Margarito" for the 2014 Caribbean baseball series rests backstage during the game between Dominican Republic's Tigres de Licey and Venezuela's Navegantes del Magallanes, on Feb. 4, 2014, in Porlamar City, Margarita Island, Nueva Esparta state, Venezuela.
The man that works as the mascot "Margarito" for the 2014 Caribbean baseball series rests backstage during the game between Dominican Republic's Tigres de Licey and Venezuela's Navegantes del Magallanes, on Feb. 4, 2014, in Porlamar City, Margarita Island, Nueva Esparta state, Venezuela.Leo Ramirez—AFP/Getty Images
A villager lifts his dog onto a truck to evacuate as Mount Sinabung spews ash at Pintu Besi village in Karo district, North Sumatra province Feb. 5, 2014.
A villager lifts his dog onto a truck to evacuate as Mount Sinabung spews ash at Pintu Besi village in Karo district, North Sumatra province Feb. 5, 2014.Beawiharta—Reuters
An Israeli hanging on hooks performs the Suspension (body modification) during the annual Israel Tattoo Convention in Tel Aviv, Israel, Feb. 8, 2014. The event took place for the second time in Israel featuring the best tattoo artists of the country.
An Israeli hanging on hooks performs the Suspension (body modification) during the annual Israel Tattoo Convention in Tel Aviv, Israel, Feb. 8, 2014. The event took place for the second time in Israel featuring the best tattoo artists of the country. Abir Sultan—EPA
People look at the carcass of the giraffe Marius after it was killed in Copenhagen Zoo Feb. 9, 2014. The Copenhagen Zoo went ahead with a plan to shoot and dismember a healthy giraffe on Sunday and feed the 18-month-old animal's carcass to lions - an action the zoo said was in line with anti-inbreeding rules meant to ensure a healthy giraffe population. The giraffe, named Marius, was shot in the head and then cut apart in view of children, according to a video of the incident released by the Denmark-based production company Localize.
People look at the carcass of the giraffe Marius after it was killed in Copenhagen Zoo Feb. 9, 2014. The Copenhagen Zoo went ahead with a plan to shoot and dismember a healthy giraffe on Sunday and feed the 18-month-old animal's carcass to lions - an action the zoo said was in line with anti-inbreeding rules meant to ensure a healthy giraffe population. The giraffe, named Marius, was shot in the head and then cut apart in view of children, according to a video of the incident released by the Denmark-based production company Localize. Scanpix Denmark—Reuters
Three-year-old Arabian horse Nasar stands in front of the living room door, Feb. 10, 2014. After a powerful storm swept through northern Germany in December, Stephanie Arndt brought her horse Nasar inside. Since then, the horse has grown very comfortable and stays indoors.
Three-year-old Arabian horse Nasar stands in front of the living room door, Feb. 10, 2014. After a powerful storm swept through northern Germany in December, Stephanie Arndt brought her horse Nasar inside. Since then, the horse has grown very comfortable and stays indoors.Carsten Rehder—Zuma Press
Worker's continue to build flood defences around Moorland resident Sam Notaro's house in the flooded village of Moorland near Bridgwater on the Somerset Levels on Feb. 10, 2014 in Somerset, England. Thousands of acres of the Somerset Levels have been under water for weeks, yet flood levels are still rising and worryingly, more rain is forecast for later this week.
Worker's continue to build flood defences around Moorland resident Sam Notaro's house in the flooded village of Moorland near Bridgwater on the Somerset Levels on Feb. 10, 2014 in Somerset, England. Thousands of acres of the Somerset Levels have been under water for weeks, yet flood levels are still rising and worryingly, more rain is forecast for later this week. Matt Cardy—Getty Images
A woman becomes caught up in a lorries wash during flooding, Feb. 10, 2014, in Old Windsor in Berkshire after the River Thames burst its banks.
A woman becomes caught up in a lorries wash during flooding, Feb. 10, 2014, in Old Windsor in Berkshire after the River Thames burst its banks. Stephen Simpson—Zuma Press
A 40-foot sinkhole opened up under the National Corvette Museum Feb. 12, 2014 and swallowed eight Corvettes, including the historic 1992 White 1 Millionth Corvette, in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
A 40-foot sinkhole opened up under the National Corvette Museum Feb. 12, 2014 and swallowed eight Corvettes, including the historic 1992 White 1 Millionth Corvette, in Bowling Green, Ky.National Corvette Museum—Reuters
An Ultra-Orthodox Jewish man sits in a hole and prays during a demonstration in Beit Shemesh, Israel, Feb. 12, 2014. Hundreds of Ultra-Orthodox Jews protested against the construction of new housing units, believing they would be built at the site of ancient Jewish graves.
An Ultra-Orthodox Jewish man sits in a hole and prays during a demonstration in Beit Shemesh, Israel, Feb. 12, 2014. Hundreds of Ultra-Orthodox Jews protested against the construction of new housing units, believing they would be built at the site of ancient Jewish graves. Abir Sultan—EPA
A mascot of Sochi Winter Olympics is seen in silhouette with mountains at sunset at the Mountain athletes village during the Sochi Winter Olympics on Feb.11, 2014.
A mascot of Sochi Winter Olympics is seen in silhouette with mountains at sunset at the Mountain athletes village during the Sochi Winter Olympics on Feb.11, 2014. Fabrice Coffrini—AFP/Getty Images
Two 18-month old albino alligators are presented at the tropical aquarium in Paris, Feb. 13. 2014. The two albino alligators arrived in their new home in Paris on Wednesday Feb. 12, after travelling thousands of miles from a fish farm in Florida. The aquarium's new lodgers are two of only twenty to thirty in the world, according to the director of the tropical aquarium Michel Hignette.
Two 18-month old albino alligators are presented at the tropical aquarium in Paris, Feb. 13. 2014. The two albino alligators arrived in their new home in Paris on Wednesday Feb. 12, after travelling thousands of miles from a fish farm in Florida. The aquarium's new lodgers are two of only twenty to thirty in the world, according to the director of the tropical aquarium Michel Hignette. Remy de la Mauviniere—AP
An athlete warms up with his coach prior to the Men's Individual Gundersen Large Hill/10 km Nordic Combined training Feb. 15, 2014 during the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
An athlete warms up with his coach prior to the Men's Individual Gundersen Large Hill/10 km Nordic Combined training Feb. 15, 2014 during the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.Lars Baron—Getty Images
A statue of a cow stands on a balcony of a private home in Hanover, Germany, Feb. 18 2014. The piece of art was put on the balcony on purpose, because the inhabitants thought it would encumber the mowing of the lawn.
A statue of a cow stands on a balcony of a private home in Hanover, Germany, Feb. 18 2014. The piece of art was put on the balcony on purpose, because the inhabitants thought it would encumber the mowing of the lawn.Julian Stratenschulte—EPA
German Chancellor Angela Merkel (C) watches a dance performance by Liana Wolf during a reception of German carnival societies at the Chancellery in Berlin Feb. 18, 2014.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel (C) watches a dance performance by Liana Wolf during a reception of German carnival societies at the Chancellery in Berlin Feb. 18, 2014.Thomas Peter—Reuters
A paper heart is viewed on top of a melting mound of snow as temperatures in New York City reach into the mid 40's revealing trash that's been buried for weeks on Feb. 20, 2014 in New York City.
A paper heart is viewed on top of a melting mound of snow as temperatures in New York City reach into the mid 40's revealing trash that's been buried for weeks on Feb. 20, 2014 in New York City. Spencer Platt—Getty Images
Israelis enjoy the beach under heavy fog at the Mediterranean Sea beach front in Tel Aviv, Feb. 20, 2014.
Israelis enjoy the beach under heavy fog at the Mediterranean Sea beach front in Tel Aviv, Feb. 20, 2014. Oded Balilty—AP

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