Zaporizhzhia-based photographer shows animals he met on Khortytsia

Nature has its charms, both in summer and in winter. Zaporizhzhia-based photographer Yuriy Batayev has shown incredible photos of wild animals living on the island of Khortytsia.

This month, the photographer managed to capture a herd of deer, mute swans, a white-sided magpie, a gray heron and other representatives of the reserve through his camera lens. Yuriy Batayev shared the vivid pictures on his Facebook page.

Due to its unique natural conditions, Khortytsia Island has become home to more than 250 species of animals, according to the National Reserve.

Among the rare animals are the largest inhabitants of the island - spotted deer. The population of these noble creatures has been preserved thanks to the efforts of the reserve.

Wild boars live in the floodplains, floodplain meadows and dense forests of the southern part of Khortytsia. This year, Yurii Bataiev hasn't seen these beautiful animals yet, but last year he did come across one.

"It's a wild boar named Vasyl of the Vietnamese Vyssobryukha breed. He was rescued from the gray zone during the war by the Chance shelter and transferred to the Patriot Equestrian Club. Vasyl makes friends with the horses and goes for walks with them," Batayev said.

Roe deer can be found in the steppe of the reserve. However, the largest number of animals on Khortytsia Island are birds. There are more than 200 species of them. The Zaporizhzhia photographer captured a rare great cormorant, among others.

A reed bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus) was looking directly into the camera lens.

Also, incredible photos of smews (Mergellus albellus) soaring over the pond.

Yurii Bataiev did not ignore the common magpie (Pica pica), which was in a hurry.

The photographer also caught a gray heron in flight.

And where would you go without swans (Cygnus olor), birds symbolizing love on the eve of Valentine's Day?

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!