Wild herons were spotted flying and walking along the lake at Guiyang Guanshanhu Park on July 4, attracting a number of sightseers and photographers.

The heron is a second-level national protected migratory waterfowl which lives on the edge of rivers and lakes. The population of wild heron has decreased ever since their habitat began being polluted and destroyed during the process of urbanization.

The likelihood of spotting a heron in the wild is decreasing due to the deteriorating environment. The birds are able to relax at Guanshanhu Park thanks to its largely intact ecosystem.

A heron flies over lotus at Guanshanhu Park in Guiyang on July 4. [Photo/gog.cn]

Herons rest on?a boat at Guanshanhu Park in Guiyang. [Photo/gog.cn]

Wild herons rest on the lake at Guanshanhu Park in Guiyang. [Photo/gog.cn]

Li Hanyi contributed to the story.