Left: Unusually heavy rain made 1997 the wettest year on record, with a new high of 3 329.4 millimetres being recorded by October. It also made this beautiful scene possible, as Shing Mun Reservoir was filled to rare heights. Below: An egret flies home to Luk Keng in the north-east New Territories. Bottom: A stream swirling over rocks flows ultimately into Shing Mun reservoir, which is surrounded by country park. Despite its urban density, 40 per cent of Hong Kong is declared country park.