A Saudi man gets himself ready to release his falcon as he takes part in a falcon contest in a desert near Tabuk city on January 17. The participants at the contest compete for the fastest falcon at attacking its prey and the owner of the winning bird is rewarded SR200,000 ($53,000). Falconry is part of Bedouin life in Saudi Arabia where these birds are used for hunting rabbits and other desert animals.-Reuters/Mohamed Al Hwaity