Whooper swans grace spring stopover in Northeast China

Photo taken on April 12, 2026 shows whooper swans, a national second-class protected animal, resting and foraging at Yuebingpao in Daqing City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. As temperatures rise, ice and snow at Yuebingpao—an important stopover along migratory routes—have melted, creating shallow waters rich in food and suitable for rest. With their snow-white feathers, the swans glide and feed in groups, presenting an elegant and picturesque ecological scene. (Chi Shiyong/Guangming Pictures)

Photo taken on April 12, 2026 shows whooper swans, a national second-class protected animal, resting and foraging at Yuebingpao in Daqing City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. As temperatures rise, ice and snow at Yuebingpao—an important stopover along migratory routes—have melted, creating shallow waters rich in food and suitable for rest. With their snow-white feathers, the swans glide and feed in groups, presenting an elegant and picturesque ecological scene. (Chi Shiyong/Guangming Pictures)