(CN) protection of the environment

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http://www1.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2001-10-04/36693.html

A moment of grace

(YU NAN)

10/04/2001

 

 

 

Precious wild birds and protecting the environment are the themes of a

photography exhibition that is being held during the week-long National Day

holiday at the Science Museum in Beijing Zoo.

 

The exhibition has around 77 photographs taken by 60-year-old Gong Zheng and

57-year-old Zong Yuzhen from Jiangxi Province. The couple have captured

waterfowl, such as egrets, white cranes and white swans, that live in

China's largest freshwater lake - Poyang Lake - in East China's Jiangxi

Province.

 

The couple have spent around 10 years taking photographs which aim to evoke

people's conscience into caring and protecting wild animals and the

environment.

 

Gong Zheng and his wife Zong Yuzhen, live in Nanchang, capital of Jiangxi

Province, close to Poyang Lake.

 

Photography is their passion and profession.

 

About 10 years ago the pair used to concentrate on filming people, society

and landscapes, that is, before they saw the birds in Poyang Lake.

 

" These birds are so beautiful and graceful that we always had an urge to

take photographs of them, " said Zong, who is also chairman of Nanchang

Photographers' Association.

 

For the last five years, these photographers have spent most of their

working lives at Poyang Lake.

 

Poyang Lake is a rare paradise for migratory birds, which are probably

attracted to the clean, fresh water.

 

Thousands of egrets from Southeast Asia spend their " summer holidays " in

Poyang Lake, and about 98 per cent of white cranes around the world settle

on the lake in winter. The lake is also home to swans, widgeons and geese.

 

" The egrets are our favourites, " said Gong. " They have pure white feathers,

slender bodies, and they look extremely elegant. "

 

However, capturing these birds on film is not an easy task. Firstly, the

couple had to learn the behaviour patterns of the egrets, by observing them

over long periods of time.

 

" Egrets like to comb their feathers at 8 or 9 o'clock in the morning and at

5 or 6 o'clock in the afternoon, " said Gong. " When an egret returns home,

its mate displays a certain posture to welcome the other home. Bigger egrets

are much easy to approach. Only after studying their behaviour patterns are

we able to wait for the right moment to take the vivid pictures that we

want. "

 

They also need to be patient.

 

When they have decided which bird to photograph, they have to stay alert and

keep their eyes on it for a long time. Sometimes an egret does not move for

about an hour: If they relax for just a second the egret might suddenly fly

away.

 

" In the past we have almost spent the whole summer in Poyang Lake, looking

at egrets, " said Zong. " The temperature here is around 40 degrees centigrade

and we have stood taking pictures from sunrise to sunset every day.

Sometimes if we are focusing on just one egret, we end up following the bird

for miles. "

 

The couple also face difficulties and dangers when trying to photograph the

birds. Gong for instance, was struck by a snake, but was luckily wearing

rubber boots at the time.

 

" We use our cameras in order for people to learn that they should protect

these birds in their paradise, " said Gong. " Our cameras are not just work

tools but are also a weapon in ensuring the protection of these precious

waterfowl.

 

" When people see our pictures, they reconsider the relationship between

human beings and the biosphere, and this is a call to ask people to fight

against those who still kill or hunt birds at Poyang Lake. "

 

There are around 100 photographers altogether, who are keen on photographing

the waterfowl in Poyang Lake.