An egret is seen over the sparkling Xihe River in Tianshui, Gansu province. [Photo by Zhang Xiaodong] 

Dozens of egrets and gray herons, both of which are national second-class protected species, were spotted dancing in the golden sunrise on the Xihe River, the "mother river" of Tianshui, Northwest China's Gansu province. They are adding more winter fun to the snowy wonderland as the city embraces a cleaner and greener environment.