“Clear waters and green mountains are invaluable assets.” As the ecological environment continues to improve, more and more wild birds are returning to places once again seen by people.

Take a walk into Baiqiao Reservoir in Cangxi County, Sichuan. What greets you is not just crystal-clear water, but also a group of dancing “spirits”—grey herons and little egrets. Sometimes they rise suddenly from the treetops; sometimes they glide gracefully over the emerald water. Their gray and snow-white feathers, along with their streamlined figures, blend perfectly with the blue sky and green water—like a moving traditional Chinese ink painting.

The grey heron, often called the “gray crane” locally, is known for its patient, “stand-and-wait” fishing style—so much so that it"s humorously nicknamed the “old waiter” of the bird world. The little egret, on the other hand, is a symbol of elegance and is widely regarded as an “indicator species” for a healthy ecosystem. According to recent observations, nearly a hundred of these birds now live around the reservoir, and many have already begun gathering twigs to build nests—a sign that breeding season is underway.

From being seasonal migrants to becoming settled residents; from hurried passersby to confident breeders raising their young—the choice of these herons and egrets is nothing less than nature’s own "vote of confidence" in the local environment. It also reflects a heartwarming reality: the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

— Han Jing

【原文】四川苍溪：绿水青山“引鹭”来

“绿水青山就是金山银山。”随着生态环境持续改善，越来越多的野生鸟类重返人们视野。

走进四川省苍溪县白桥水库，映入眼帘的不仅是清澈见底的湖水，更有一群翩翩起舞的“精灵”——苍鹭和白鹭。它们时而从树梢腾空而起，时而在碧绿的水面上展翅飞翔。灰色与雪白的蓑毛、流线型的身姿，与蓝天碧水融为一体，宛如一幅灵动的水墨画。

苍鹭，俗称“灰鹳”，以沉稳的“守株待兔”式捕鱼方式，被戏称为“鸟中老登”；白鹭则是优雅的代名词，素有“生态鸟”的美誉。据观察，目前在此栖息的苍鹭与白鹭种群数量已接近百只，其中不少已经开始衔枝筑巢，进入繁殖期。

从远道而来的候鸟，变为扎根于此的“留鸟”；从匆匆掠过的过客，到安心繁衍的“主人”，苍鹭与白鹭的选择，无疑是大自然为当地生态环境投下的“信任票”，也体现了人与自然和谐共生的温暖底色。（韩静）