Pictures Of The Year: Press Association's Most Striking Images of 2014 (PHOTOS)

PA's Most Striking Images Of 2014
|

When we reflect on 2014, what images come to mind?

Was your favorite image Nigel Farage being egged or when Wenger and Mourinho squared up to each other? Or was it when The Queen had everyone at the edge of their seats during her Game of Thrones visit?

Press Association (PA) photographers bring the photos to us to that encapsulate the news we read, share and laugh at on a daily basis.

Covering many events with thousands of pictures loaded to the site everyday, from breaking news to entertainment from across the world.

PA photographer Owen Humphreys tells HuffPost UK about some of the beautiful and more memorable shots he took in 2014.

Open Image Modal

Snow drifts over a farm in Teesdale, County Durham after an overnight downfall

The Teesdale snow scene was the first of this years winter and with the sun backlighting it, giving the arctic feel, as the snow drifted over the farm house with temperatures down to minus two.

Open Image Modal

Starlings starting their murmuration as dusk falls near Gretna Green on the England and Scotland border

The Starling murmuration picture was one of my favourites in the set, after three separate visits to the Scottish boarders near gretna I got the shapes I was after, the starlings are here from November to January and perform this every evening for around 20 minutes.

Open Image Modal

An Aurora is seen on the horizon behind Bamburgh Lighthouse in Northumberland

The Aurora has been the hardest image to capture and has given me great satisfaction in photographing it. Normally seen in the highlands of Scotland, Norway and Iceland so capturing it in Northumberland was great after several visits with no success it was great to see this spectacle.

PA pictures of the year
(01 of93)
Open Image Modal
Group Manager Peter Hudson of North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service surveys the scene at the recycling plant at Sherburn-in-Elmet, North Yorkshire where thousands of tyres caught fire yesterday. January 17, 2014 (credit: Anna Gowthorpe/PA Archive/Press Association Images)
(02 of93)
Open Image Modal
Jim Davidson wins Celebrity Big Brother at Elstree Studios Borehamwood. January 29, 2014. (credit:Ian West/PA Archive/Press Association Images)
(03 of93)
Open Image Modal
A golden mantella frog at Chester Zoo, Chester, is implanted with a fluorescent silicone gel on its leg, which allows keepers to identify individuals in their group of 80 frogs. Amphibian experts will monitor the implants and if deemed a success the process will be used to track the species in their native home of Madagascar.Picture date: Wednesday January 15, 2014. The 20mm-long frogs are classed as critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), meaning they face an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. (credit:Peter Byrne/PA Archive/Press Association Images)
(04 of93)
Open Image Modal
Queen Elizabeth II is shown around Chequers by Prime Minister David Cameron where she and the Duke of Edinburgh had lunch with the PM and his wife Samantha. PRESS ASOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday February 28, 2014. . It is the first time Her Majesty has visited the PMs official country residence in Buckinghamshire since 1996. See PA story ROYAL Chequers. Photo credit should read: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire (credit:Stefan Rousseau/PA Archive)
(05 of93)
Open Image Modal
Kylie Minogue on stage during the 2014 Brit Awards at the O2 Arena, London. (credit:Yui Mok/PA Archive/Press Association Images)
(06 of93)
Open Image Modal
One Direction's Louis Tomlinson arriving at the Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster, where he was making his debut for the reserves. (credit:Anna Gowthorpe/PA Wire)
(07 of93)
Open Image Modal
The coffin of Ronnie Biggs is carried up the chapel aisle, during his funeral service at Golders Green Crematorium in North London.Picture date: Friday January 3, 2014. Great Train Robber Biggs, who gained notoriety for spending 36 years on the run after escaping prison, died last month at 84. (credit:Yui Mok/PA Archive/Press Association Images)
(08 of93)
Open Image Modal
Prime Minister David Cameron (right) accompanied by Labour Party Leader Ed Miliband (left) and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg (centre) laughing as they wait for the arrival of Irish President Michael D. Higgins to deliver a speech at the Houses of Parliament in London. (credit:Lefteris Pitarakis/PA Wire)
(09 of93)
Open Image Modal
16/01/14 of smoke caused by burning tyres at a fire a recycling plant at Sherburn-in-Elmet. (credit:John Giles/PA Wire)
(10 of93)
Open Image Modal
Coronation Street actor William Roache speaking to the media outside Preston Crown Court, as he was found not guilty by a jury of two counts of raping a 15-year-old girl in east Lancashire in 1967, and four indecent assaults involving four girls aged between 11 or 12 and 16 in the Manchester area in 1965 and 1968. (credit:Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
(11 of93)
Open Image Modal
The Holly man walks from the Globe Theatre on the south bank in central London during the annual celebration of William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night on the South Bank, central London. (credit:John Stillwell/PA Archive)
(12 of93)
Open Image Modal
Union leader Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT union, standing outside City Hall, London, as he speaks by mobile phone to the Mayor of London Boris Johnson. 04/02/14 (credit:Nick Ansell/PA Wire)
(13 of93)
Open Image Modal
Large waves caused by high winds and spring tides batter the coastal town of Lahinch, Co Clare. 01/02/14 (credit:Niall Carsons/PA Wire)
(14 of93)
Open Image Modal
A hoouse near flooded village of Moorland in Somerset which is owned by Sam Notaro who has built his own flood defences. 13/02/14 (credit:Steve Parsons/PA Wire)
(15 of93)
Open Image Modal
Protesters clashing with police at the Barton Moss fracking site, Manchester. 17/03/14 (credit:Lynne Cameron/PA Wire)
(16 of93)
Open Image Modal
People dressed as Vikings participating in a re-enactment of the Battle of Clontarf hosted by Dublin City Council at St Anne's Park in Raheny. 19/04/14 (credit:Niall Carson/PA Wire)
(17 of93)
Open Image Modal
People queuing outside Oxford Circus underground station, in central London, during the evening rush hour after congestion forced closure of the station during the 48 hour strike by RMT union members. 29/04/14 (credit:Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)
(18 of93)
Open Image Modal
Racers going through freezing cold water on their backs beneath a wire fence to prevent them leaving the water as they take part in the Tough Mudder race in Oxfordshire. 27/04/14 (credit:Ben Birchall/PA Wire)
(19 of93)
Open Image Modal
Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond kicking a ball during a Street Soccer Scotland photocall with Scotland under-21 midfielder Kenny McLean. 27/05/14 (credit:Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)
(20 of93)
Open Image Modal
A festival goer lying on the ground as the clean up operation begins around the Pyramid Stage, at the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset. 30/06/14 (credit:Yui Mok/PA Wire)
(21 of93)
Open Image Modal
Crowds gather before dawn amongst the stones at Stonehenge in Wiltshire for the Summer Solstice. June 21, 2014. (credit:Andrew Matthews/PA Archive/Press Association Images)
(22 of93)
Open Image Modal
The 2014 Tour De France navigates it's way through York passing Bettys Tea Rooms and the Mansion House. 6/7/2014 (credit:Anthony Chappel-Ross/PA Wire)
(23 of93)
Open Image Modal
A protester holds up a flare during a demonstration near the US Embassy in London, following the decision not to prosecute police officer Darren Wilson for the fatal shooting of black teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. (credit:Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA Wire)
(24 of93)
Open Image Modal
Fireworks light up the sky over the London Eye in central London during the New Year celebrations. (credit:Dominic Lipinski/PA Archive)
(25 of93)
Open Image Modal
The Duchess of Cambridge receives a traditional Maori welcome called a "hongi" from David Ellison after she arrived with her husband, the Duke of Cambridge after arriving in Dunedin as they continue their tour of New Zealand. (credit:Phil Noble/PA Archive)
(26 of93)
Open Image Modal
Members of the public stop to look at the ceramic poppies which form part of the art installation 'Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red' by artist Paul Cummins at the Tower of London, marking the centenary of World War I. (credit:Chris Radburn/PA Wire)
(27 of93)
Open Image Modal
Wing Commander Matt Radnall, Officer Commanding 7 Force Protection Wing, carries a carefully folded Union Flag under his arm and back home to the UK as he prepares to board the last Chinook helicopter as the very last British boots to leave Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, as UK and Coalition forces carry out their Tactical Withdrawal finally leaving the base and handing it over to Afghan National Army. (credit:Ben Birchall/PA Wire)
(28 of93)
Open Image Modal
Actress Angelina Jolie is presented with the Insignia of an Honorary Dame Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George by Queen Elizabeth II in the 1844 Room at Buckingham Palace, London. (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)
(29 of93)
Open Image Modal
Queen Elizabeth II sends the first royal tweet under her own name to declare the opening of the new Information Age Galleries at the Science Museum, South Kensington, London. (credit:Chris Jackson/PA Wire)
(30 of93)
Open Image Modal
Pedestrians dash through torrential rain along the Millennium Bridge, Southwark, London, as the remnants of Hurricane Bertha swept across parts of the country. (credit:Jonathan Brady/PA Wire)
(31 of93)
Open Image Modal
Blue skies over the Souter Lighthouse in Sunderland, as the rest of the country cleans-up after the remnants of Huricanine Bertha swept across the nation yesterday. (credit:Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
(32 of93)
Open Image Modal
A couple sun bathe in front of the burnt out remains of Eastbourne Pier, East Sussex, after a large part of it was completely destroyed by fire yesterday afternoon. (credit:Chris Radburn/PA Wire)
(33 of93)
Open Image Modal
The RAF's Red Arrows perform over Southsea Common in Hampshire, to mark the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day landings. (credit:Steve Parsons/PA Archive)
(34 of93)
Open Image Modal
Ukip party leader Nigel Farage enjoys a pint in the Hoy and Helmet Pub in South Benfleet, Essex, as his party make gains across the country following yesterdays voting in local elections. (credit:Gareth Fuller/PA Archive)
(35 of93)
Open Image Modal
The Prince of Wales says goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II before she leaves Westminster Abbey in London, following the Order of the Bath service. (credit:Adrian Dennis/PA Archive)
(36 of93)
Open Image Modal
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge pose for media with Uluru in the background during the sixteenth day of their official tour to New Zealand and Australia. (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Archive)
(37 of93)
Open Image Modal
The Duchess of Cambridge bats to The Duke of Cambridge's bowling as they participates in a 2015 Cricket World Cup event in Christchurch during the eighth day of their official tour to New Zealand. (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Archive)
(38 of93)
Open Image Modal
The coffin of former Labour cabinet minister Tony Benn is carried by members of his family, including son's Stephen (left) and Hilary (second left), as the funeral procession arrives at St Margaret's Church, Westminster, central London. (credit:Gareth Fuller/PA Archive)
(39 of93)
Open Image Modal
People watch and photograph enormous waves as they break on Porthcawl harbour, South Wales, where very strong winds and high seas create dangerous weather conditions. (credit:Ben Birchall/PA Archive)
(40 of93)
Open Image Modal
Models on the catwalk during the Victoria's Secret fashion show at Earls Court, south west London. 02/12/14 (credit:Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)
(41 of93)
Open Image Modal
Pedestrians dash through torrential rain along the Millennium Bridge, Southwark, London, as the remnants of Hurricane Bertha swept across parts of the country.10/8/2014 (credit:Jonathan Brady/PA Wire)
(42 of93)
Open Image Modal
Former N-Dubz singer Tulisa Contostavlos gives a statement outside Southwark Crown Court after her trial over drugs allegations has collapsed. 21/7/2014 (credit:Justin Tallis/PA Wire)
(43 of93)
Open Image Modal
Ukip leader Nigel Farage arriving at Cudham Church of England Primary School in Cudham, Kent, to cast his vote in Local and European elections. 22/05/14 (credit:Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)
(44 of93)
Open Image Modal
Tabitha, six, (surname not given) from Sussex, choosing her lantern for the Kew Gardens Wild Lantern Festival at Wakehurst Place in Sussex. 04/12/14 (credit:Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)
(45 of93)
Open Image Modal
Duchess of Cambridge meeting Harry Styles of One Direction as Simon Cowell looks on at the end of the Royal Variety Performance at the Palladium Theatre in London. 13/11/14 (credit:Yui Mok/PA Wire)
(46 of93)
Open Image Modal
Mayor of London Boris Johnson taking part in a boxing session during a visit to the Fight for Peace boxing academy, which works with young people at risk of crime an violence in North Woolwich, east London. 28/10/14 (credit:Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)
(47 of93)
Open Image Modal
A squirrel monkey searching for Halloween treats hidden inside a pumpkin at ZSL London Zoo in central London. 30/10/14 (credit:Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)
(48 of93)
Open Image Modal
Actress Angelina Jolie, Special Envoy of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, hugging Neema Namadamu of the Democratic Republic of Congo at the 'End Sexual Violence in Conflict' summit in London. 11/06/14 (credit:Lefteris Pitarakis/PA Wire)
(49 of93)
Open Image Modal
11th night bonfires are seen across Belfast, where traditionally bonfires are lit across the province at midnight to mark the victory of King William III's victory over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. 12/7/2014 (credit:Niall Carson/PA Wire)
(50 of93)
Open Image Modal
Volunteers removing poppies from the moat of the Tower of London, as work begins dismantling the 'Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red' installation, which captured the imagination of Britain as it commemorated the centenary of the First World War.12/11/14 (credit:John Stillwell/PA Wire)
(51 of93)
Open Image Modal
Duke of Cambridge (left) meeting US President Barack Obama in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington DC. 08/12/14 (credit:Olivier Douliery/PA Wire)
(52 of93)
Open Image Modal
Doctor Who stars Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman during a photocall for Doctor Who at Parliament Square, central London. 22/8/2014 (credit:Ian West/PA Wire)
(53 of93)
Open Image Modal
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry watch riders at the finish line of Stage 1 of the Tour de France in Harrogate. 5/7/2014 (credit:Chris Jackson/PA Wire)
(54 of93)
Open Image Modal
Well wishers lighting candles in memory of Stephen Sutton during a two day vigil at Lichfield Cathedral. 30/05/14 (credit:Joe Giddens/PA Wire)
(55 of93)
Open Image Modal
Kermit the Frog, Ricky Gervais, Miss Piggy and Constantine at the celebrity screening of Muppets Most Wanted at the Curzon Mayfair in central London. 24/03/14 (credit:Justin Tallis/PA Wire)
(56 of93)
Open Image Modal
Volunteers helping in the search for missing three year old Mikaeel Kular in the Granton area of Edinburgh. 17/01/14 (credit:David Cheskin/PA Wire)
(57 of93)
Open Image Modal
Labour leader Ed Miliband donating money to a lady ahead of a meeting of Labour's English Regional Shadow Cabinet Committee in Manchester to discuss an English Devolution Act. 31/10/14 (credit:Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
(58 of93)
Open Image Modal
Specialist technical abseil team clean and inspect one of the four faces of the Great Clock, otherwise known as Big Ben, at the Houses of Parliament, in central London, as they undertake essential maintenance and cleaning of the four faces. 18/8/2014 (credit:Yui Mok/PA Wire)
(59 of93)
Open Image Modal
Lindisfarne Castle on Holy Island in Northumberland, the morning after a disappointing night for star gazers as they were unable to see the aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, from this location. (credit:Owen Humphreys/PA Archive)
(60 of93)
Open Image Modal
German chancellor Angela Merkel arrives at Downing Street in London, to meet with Prime Minister David Cameron. (credit:Matt Crossick/Matt Crossick)
(61 of93)
Open Image Modal
Team GB medal winners from the 2014 Sochi Olympics, (left to right) Jenny Jones, bronze medal winner of the Women's Snowboard Slopestyle, the silver medal winningMen's curling team David Murdoch, Greg Drummond, Scott Andrews, Michael Goodfellow and Tom Brewster, Lizzy Yarnold, gold medal winner of the Women's Skeleton and the bronze medal winning women's curling team Eve Muirhead, Anna Sloan, Vicki Adams, Claire Hamilton and Lauren Gray, show their medals as they stand outside 10 Downing Street after arriving for a meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron. (credit:Nick Ansell/PA Archive)
(62 of93)
Open Image Modal
Simon Cowell with his new baby boy Eric and girlfriend Lauren Silverman are leaving their hotel in New York, NY on February 20, 2014. (credit:Charles Guerin/ABACA USA)
(63 of93)
Open Image Modal
Water flows down the "plughole" on the Ladybower Reservoir, one of two bell-mouthed 80ft wide stone overflows. (credit:Lynne Cameron/PA Archive)
(64 of93)
Open Image Modal
A view of a large crack on a house in Magdalen's Close, Ripon after a huge 25ft wide sinkhole has opened up in the street. (credit:Anna Gowthorpe/PA Archive)
(65 of93)
Open Image Modal
US actor Shia LaBeouf attending the 'Nymphomaniac Volume 1' Premiere during the 64th Berlinale, Berlin International Film Festival in Berlin, Germany, on February 09, 2014. (credit:Marechal Aurore/ABACA)
(66 of93)
Open Image Modal
Ukip leader Nigel Farage looking at the floodwater in Burrowbridge, Somerset. (credit:Tim Ireland/PA Archive)
(67 of93)
Open Image Modal
London Mayor Boris Johnson takes the tube on the District Line to Southfields where he met the founders of the footwear company Gandys Flip Flop, it is the second day of a 48 hour shut down of some of the underground network in London due to industrial action over the closing of ticket offices. (credit:Stefan Rousseau/PA Archive)
(68 of93)
Open Image Modal
Workmen assess a huge hole exposing ground services and exposed railway track after the sea wall collapsed in Dawlish, where high tides and strong winds have created havoc in the Devonshire town disrupting road and rail networks and damaging property. (credit:Ben Birchall/PA Archive)
(69 of93)
Open Image Modal
Emergency services at the scene where an explosion flattened two houses and badly damaged a third in Cloes Lane, Clacton. (credit:Sean Dempsey/PA Archive)
(70 of93)
Open Image Modal
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho takes his seat in the dugout (credit:Andrew Matthews/PA Archive)
(71 of93)
Open Image Modal
A plane flying over houses in the village of Bedfont, Greater London as it comes into land at Heathrow Airport. (credit:Steve Parsons/PA Archive)
(72 of93)
Open Image Modal
Newcastle United's manager Alan Pardew confronts Hull City's David Meyler (left) (credit:Lynne Cameron/PA Archive)
(73 of93)
Open Image Modal
The coffin of Peaches Geldof, the daughter of Sir Bob Geldof, arrives at his home ahead of her funeral service at St Mary Magdalene and St Lawrence Church in Davington, near Faversham, Kent. (credit:Gareth Fuller/PA Archive)
(74 of93)
Open Image Modal
Prime Minister David Cameron meets staff and shoppers at Asda in Clapham, south London, where he discussed the 12,000 new jobs the supermarket chain will create over the next five years. (credit:Stefan Rousseau/PA Archive)
(75 of93)
Open Image Modal
Chieftain of the British Pipe Band Championships Susan Boyle meets highland games competitor Neil Elliott (right), holding a 28lb weight at the West Lothian Highland Games and British Pipe Band Championships at Meadow Park, Bathgate. (credit:Danny Lawson/PA Archive)
(76 of93)
Open Image Modal
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh during a visit to the set of Game of Thrones on day two of a visit to Northern Ireland. (credit:Brian Lawless/PA Archive)
(77 of93)
Open Image Modal
Comedian Jason Manford (right) gives a thumbs up sign at the end of a two day vigil in memory of Stephen Sutton at Lichfield Cathedral. (credit:Joe Giddens/PA Archive)
(78 of93)
Open Image Modal
Professor Stephen Hawking unveils a new scientific formula to predict the chances of England succeeding in the World Cup, in Cambridge. (credit:David Parry/PA Archive)
(79 of93)
Open Image Modal
Ukip leader Nigel Farage smiles after unveiling a new billboard poster in the run-up to the elections at Lambeth in south London. (credit:John Stillwell/PA Archive)
(80 of93)
Open Image Modal
UKIP leader Nigel Farage is hit by an egg as he gets out of his car in Nottingham city centre. (credit:Joe Giddens/PA Archive)
(81 of93)
Open Image Modal
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho (right) has a heated exchange with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger (left) on the touchline during the Barclays Premier League match at Stamford Bridge, London. (credit:Nick Potts/PA Wire)
(82 of93)
Open Image Modal
US President Barack Obama meets the Prince of Wales during an International Ceremony with Heads of State at Sword Beach in Normandy to mark the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day landings. (credit:Chris Jackson/PA Archive)
(83 of93)
Open Image Modal
Autumn reflections on Buttermere in the Lake District in Cumbria.Owen Humphreys: 'Another image I really like, which was for me was the perfect mirrored image after three visits, this was the was the one without any breeze across the lake and the perfect light, showing of the stunning Autumn colours in the Lake District' (credit:Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
(84 of93)
Open Image Modal
Comedian Lee Nelson is taken away from the England team by security at Luton Airport, Luton. (credit:Stephen Pond/PA Archive)
(85 of93)
Open Image Modal
This photo was taken to mark Prince George's first birthday and shows the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Prince during a visit to the Sensational Butterflies exhibition at the Natural History Museum, London. July 2, 2014 (credit:John Stillwell/PA Wire)
(86 of93)
Open Image Modal
David and Victoria Beckham chat with Samual L Jackson in the Royal Box during day fourteen of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon. (credit:Sang Tan/POOL Wire/PA Wire)
(87 of93)
Open Image Modal
Rebekah Brooks and her husband Charlie Brooks make a statement outside a property in central London, following their acquittal in the hacking trial. (credit:Dominic Lipinski/PA Archive)
(88 of93)
Open Image Modal
Lightning strikes over the Vale of Belvoir, Leicestershire as the UK is now braced for torrential downpours and storms that will could cause flash flooding across large parts of the country. (credit:Neil Squires/PA Wire)
(89 of93)
Open Image Modal
Brad Pitt during a photocall for World War II film fury at The Tank Museum in Bovington, Dorset. (credit:Ben Birchall/PA Wire)
(90 of93)
Open Image Modal
Victor, England's only captive polar bear takes a swim as he is unveiled at his new home at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster after making the journey from Holland by ferry. (credit:Lynne Cameron/PA Wire)
(91 of93)
Open Image Modal
Valentino (right) a two-and-a-half year old Rothschild Giraffe with his new companion Lehanne, getting used to his new surroundings at Port Lympne Wild Animal Park near Ashford, Kent, after arriving at the park earlier this week to take part in their breeding programme. (credit:Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)
(92 of93)
Open Image Modal
Police stand in front of pro Israeli protestors as Respect MP George Galloway arrives to give a speech at the Ulster Hall in Belfast as part of a book promotion tour. (credit:Niall Carson/PA Wire)
(93 of93)
Open Image Modal
A rescued hedgehog at the West Hatch RSPCA Wildlife centre in Somerset, where many more numbers of hedgehogs have been rescued due to milder weather and more females having a third litter of babies that may not survive the winter. November, 25, 2014 (credit:Ben Birchall/PA Wire/Press Association Images)