A focus on compassion

"They are animals living in the wild. Of course there are times when I cannot take some photos, but the process is interesting."

His family members support him, he says, and sometimes his wife accompanies him and offers suggestions for his photography.

Li Yongqiang, another amateur photographer in Baotou, says: "He has great love for wild animals and birds, and often likes to help them. It's quite strange that he seems to be able to communicate with the animals, and they seem to trust him."

"It's beneficial to my health. In nature, away from pollution and a daily routine, I feel relaxed. Sometimes when I cannot find any birds to take photos of, I just stay there for a whole day. I still feel good," says Guo.

He used to see nets that people spread to catch birds, and would dismantle them or report them to police. But with better forest management, the situation has improved.

He says the government has taken steps like treating sewage and dispatching volunteers to offer food to wild swans in early spring when they have difficulty finding food, because of lingering ice. As a result of these efforts, he has seen more types of birds in recent years. Last year, he even spotted a barnacle goose, a bird that had not been recorded visiting the area before.

Inside the wetland park, Guo sees litters of new-born foxes every year. In late spring, he starts to take photos but says he finds that most of the foxes don't get to grow up, as they are often killed by cars.

"Sometimes I see the body of a fox, which I have seen and recorded growing. It makes me really sad."

According to his observations, foxes often run cross the road at night. When a fast car approaches, it's lights fall on the animal, and the fox becomes too scared to move. As a result, it gets knocked down. Therefore, Guo advocates slow and careful driving in the park.