Qian Zhihua, a Yangzhou bird-photographer, has been dedicated to documenting the diverse avian life at the Gaoyou Lake Wetland, the largest natural wetland in the city, over the course of a decade.

Two whiskered terns share a hairy crab. [Photo/yznews.cn]

Thanks to the pristine ecological condition of Gaoyou Lake, Qian's enthusiasm for photographing nature has flourished, resulting in one breathtaking collection of photos after another.

One captivating photo taken by Qian captured a flock of whiskered terns swooping down to grab hairy crabs on the lake, using their sharp beaks to pierce the crab shells and extract the fresh roe.

White-breasted waterhens. [Photo/yznews.cn]

In another photo, five baby white-breasted waterhens emerge from the lush bushes under the watchful eye of their mother, who counts them as they go.

Qian emphasizes the importance of different lighting techniques in capturing these stunning images. For instance, raking light creates a sense of three-dimensionality, while backlight is ideal for creating silhouettes.

Even in bad weather, Qian never misses a chance to take photos. His unwavering passion stems from humans' innate intimacy with birds and extreme curiosity about the vague and unpredictable.

A pair of swans. [Photo/yznews.cn]