John Speakman poses for a photo in front of his photo of a bird at the exhibition.

A leisurely stroll through Lianhua Hill Park in downtown Futian District offers a serendipitous bird-watching experience amid the lush surroundings: from elegant Chinese paradise-flycatchers flitting among the branches to pond herons gracefully perched by the lake, and laughing thrushes nestled within the woods.

As a crucial stopover for migratory birds between their wintering grounds in Australia and breeding grounds in Siberia, Shenzhen is a birders' paradise particularly during the winter months. According to statistics from the Shenzhen Birding Society, the city serves as a temporary or permanent home to 423 bird species as of July, about one third of the total number in China.

Only, many of us, swept away by the city's hustle and bustle, fail to notice or lack the time and patience to appreciate these beautiful creatures.

Through the end of August, some 120 photographic works by four prominent birders are on display at the Art Museum, Guangming Culture and Art Center. The photos, provided by Zhang Mingjie, his wife Li Ming, John Speakman and Nan Zhaoxu, are displayed at Hall B on the third floor of the venue.

Arranged in five parts, the exhibition explores various aspects of the birds' lives, including their gift for flight, their rich sounds, their migration, their skills in foraging and their intriguing instincts and traits displayed during breeding.

The show provides an immersive and fun experience of learning about birds. In a part re-created as a dark rain forest, visitors feel as if they were walking among a thick forest, a secluded quietness disturbed only by the clear sounds of various bird species.

In another part of the show, the visitor can trigger interactive videos with their hands, so that the bird of their choice will vividly fly before their eyes and make a unique sound. In the final part devoted to pop science purposes, there are illustrations and books for the curious to browse, and parents can take their children to a vivid lesson about birds and their significance to our ecosystem.

The four photographers are from various academic backgrounds but share a passion for birding and bird photography. Zhang, dean of the School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), is a biochemist and member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Speakman, a professor at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Shenzhen and at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, is a top researcher in metabolism and reproduction; Nan is a local natural history researcher devoted to the study of Shenzhen's natural environment; and Zhang's wife Li is a humanities scholar with a keen interest in nature who has traveled extensively around the globe.

"I fell in love with Shenzhen at first sight when I accepted a job with SUSTech in 2020," said Li, following in her husband's footsteps at the university. "The natural environment is charming and biodiversity in the local ecosystem is superb … I simply cannot put down my camera whenever I go out for a walk," said the avid birder.

This exhibition's significance extends beyond visual delight and personal passion.

"These photos vividly capture birds of various species in their natural environments, offering delightful moments that unveil the secrets of bird life," explained exhibition coordinator Zuo Qianqian. "Then, they are also invaluable records of our city and its natural splendor. The photos serve as a reminder that we humans have the responsibility to respect and preserve what nature bestows upon us."

A ceremony was held last Wednesday to mark the opening of the exhibition. Meant as an effort to educate the public, especially children during their summer vacation, about ecosystem preservation, the organizers arranged for Nan and Zhang to give pop science lectures in their specialized fields after the ceremony, while all four photographers shared with the audience their personal experiences and tips on birding and bird photography.

The center on that day also gave the audience each a copy of "Field Notes From a Natural Shenzhen," a book authored by Nan, as a takeaway gift to further encourage their participation in conservation efforts.