Nik Wallenda, of the “Flying Wallendas” acrobatic dynasty, walks 1,800 feet (550 meters) across Niagara Falls by tightrope on June 15—a first. (Frank Gunn, Canadian Press/AP)

In something of a modern miracle, live grass springs from the floor of the U.K.’s York Minster on June 6. Grown on recycled textiles (no dirt required) the turf was fit for the feet of Queen Elizabeth II and 900 dinner guests at a Diamond Jubilee fundraiser for the cathedral’s upkeep. (John Giles, PA/AP)

Freed from a suspended balloon a fraction of a second earlier, water maintains a balloon-like shape for a fraction more—long enough for Serge Raymond to capture the moment. (Serge Raymond, Your Shot)