Graceful herons in early summer paint vibrant ecological landscape across China

In early summer, with the breeze stirring, herons dance gracefully across China. From the shimmering waters of Shenyang in the northeast to the chirping herons in Sichuan's southwestern mountains, from herons soaring over rice paddies in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River to those resting by the blue seas of the Shandong Peninsula, scenes of herons inhabiting and thriving are unfolding across the country. These vivid ecological pictures offer a living testament to the principle that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets."

Photo taken on May 8, 2025, shows a black-crowned night heron dancing gracefully above the waters of Lilac Lake in northeast China's Shenyang Province. Sometimes it perches quietly like a poised hunter on tree branches, sometimes it soars and circles in the air, portraying a vivid image of busy foraging in nature. (Zhao Jingdong / Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on May 8, 2025, shows a grey heron dancing like a ballerina atop green tree branches in the lush summer scene of Miyang Subdistrict, Mile City, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Pu Jiayong / Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on May 8, 2025, shows herons flying in the pine forest near Qixing Lake Wetland Park in Tengzhou City, Zaozhuang City, east China's Shandong Province. (Peng Huiying / Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on May 8, 2025, shows a group of herons foraging and flying over farmlands in Yangchong Village, Fanyang Town, Fanchang District, Wuhu City, east China's Anhui Province, as farmers operate machinery for spring tilling—presenting a harmonious image of humans and nature. (Lu Junyuan / Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on May 8, 2025, shows flocks of egrets gracing the lush waterside scenery at Xishuang Lake Scenic Area, National Wetland Park in Donghai County, Lianyungang City, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xu Tianhao / Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on May 7, 2025, shows numerous herons nesting, breeding, and roosting in a woodland area of Qiuhu Village, Duntou Town, Hai'an City, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Zhou Qiang / Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on May 5, 2025, shows a rural scene in Dengjiaba Village, Zhongfeng Town, Zhuxi County, central China's Hubei Province, where a farmer operates a plowing machine in muddy fields while herons, like white swans, play and forage—illustrating a picture of harmony between humans and birds. (Photo by Wen Dashu / Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on May 4, 2025, shows tourists interacting with black-tailed gulls while enjoying a summer boat ride around Hailv Island in Rongcheng City, east China's Shandong Province. (Li Xinjun / Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on May 2, 2025, shows herons dancing on the treetops of a small hill in Yanglu Village, Boya Town, Langzhong City, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Wang Yugui / Guangming Picture)