A large flock of egrets and a school of Yangtze finless porpoises were spotted at the East Dongting Lake National Nature Reserve in central China's Hunan Province, during the week-long National Day holiday.

Thousands of egrets perched in shallow waters of Caisang Lake. Some of them were either resting or combing plumes in herds. Other narcissistic ones were admiring their reflection in the water, while some dark and bigger egrets were distinct among the flock. Once in a while, the egrets would take off altogether, to the thrill of photographers and tourists.

"It is the first time that I have seen such a large group of egrets. They are spectacular and beautiful," said photographer Tan Jianhua.

Egrets are summer birds in the Dongting Lake area, and most of them migrate to the south during winter.

The gathering place is the core area of the reserve, with minimal human interference and abundant food supplies including fish and shrimp, making it an ideal habitat for egrets.

At the same time, a school of Yangtze finless porpoises made a surprise appearance by swiftly swimming with their heads above the water, attracting many tourists.

The Yangtze finless porpoise is a freshwater dolphin native to China, also known as "the water Giant Panda" for its rarity, under first-class protection in the country. 

"This place is rich in fish and other foods supplies. That's why many finless porpoises come here. Fishing used to be extensive here. Now it is gone, leaving more to eat for the porpoises," said Zhou Jianhui, a ranger at the Lingelao Management Station, East Dongting Lake National Nature Reserve.

(Cover photo via VCG, designed by CGTN's Li Yueyun)

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