Returning to Crane Village to See Cranes
I dreamt again last night of my second hometown, Qiqihar, and went to Zhalan, the hometown of cranes, to watch the cranes. The magnificent Crimson-crowned Crane still had that elegant and serene demeanor.
I studied and worked and lived in Fulahrqi for 20 years, and I knew about the crane hometown then. But I really fell in love with the Crimson-crowned Crane only after being transferred to Dalian. I almost every time I return to Qiqihar, if time allows, I will go to Zhalan to take pictures with the cranes.
Zhalan is a national-level nature reserve, renowned worldwide. Zhalan wetland is China's largest, China's first national-level nature reserve. It is located 30 kilometers from Qiqihar City, Heilongjiang Province. The total area reaches 210,000 hectares, ranking first in Asia and fourth in the world, it is the world's largest reed wetland.
Zhalan Scenic Area is a national AAAA-level tourist scenic area. The area is full of lakes and reeds, with good water quality. It is a natural paradise for waterfowl and birds. There are 15 species of cranes worldwide, 9 in China, and 6 in Zhalan! The world's Crimson-crowned Crane population is about 3,000, and Zhalan has nearly 1,000.
Zhalan is currently China's main breeding ground for cranes. You can see 6 types of cranes in Zhalan. Besides the Crimson-crowned Crane, there are White-headed Crane, White-necked Crane, Hooded Crane, Grey Crane, and White Crane. If you're lucky, you can also watch Great Egrets, King Egrets, Golden Eagles, Mandarin Ducks, and Green Birds.
The main reason I fell in love with cranes is because of the Crimson-crowned Crane's 'leisurely and elegant' demeanor. I especially like the Crimson-crowned Crane's lively and full of vitality. They don't fear people, as long as you don't make big movements, sometimes they'll walk beside you, giving the feeling of wanting to communicate with you. They are like humans, full of wisdom, without any pet-like qualities.
Zhalan Nature Reserve has fresh air, attracting people. If you live in the scenic area, you will have a deeper understanding of nature. Wake up in the morning, you can enjoy the beautiful sunrise, with gorgeous clouds, and often, the Crimson-crowned Crane and flocks of geese fly across the sky in a ray of light.
The sound of croaking and birdsong is endless. The water ripples, and two egrets are playing in the water, alternating between diving and surfacing. Mallards are leisurely floating on the water, doing nothing. A black swan sculpture floats on the water, meditating and relaxing, sometimes opening its eyes to look around and then closing its eyes.
Cloudy skies and beautiful colors constantly change the color of the water. Reed swaying in the morning breeze, a small bird with two feet gripping two reeds, constantly calling, as if trying to claim these two reeds. It's hard not to imagine this bird 'standing' on these two reeds.
When writing this article, my thoughts were constantly intertwined with the Crimson-crowned Crane dancing with me.
