The journey through the Huallaga Valley in Peru can be quick due to the good condition of the roads. And, the many mining towns do not invite you to linger. But sometimes the journey through these rough landscapes holds surprises, such as an encounter with a Torrent Duck (Merganetta armata). These impressive birds are known for their unique ability to live and navigate in fast-flowing mountain rivers.
I discovered a male Torrent Duck on a rock in the middle of the roaring waters of the Rio Huallaga. This male was obviously not yet mature, so not fully colored, which gave him a particularly interesting appearance. After waiting and observing on a rock for some time, the bird decided to swim away. Again and again he plunged into the raging waters, only to then jump onto another rock with incredible elegance and vehemence. This sight was not only fascinating, but also a challenging subject for photography.
To capture this special moment, I ran through one slide film after another with the Nikon Nikkor AF-I 4.0/ 600 on the Nikon F 5. Due to the whitish, foaming water, I opted for bracketing with +0.7 correction. The shots in continuous mode should produce some usable photos. The excitement of seeing the perfect pictures was great, and I could hardly wait to see the results of my efforts.
A little later, I continued my journey to Huanuco, where I had the vibrating high beam headlight of my vehicle repaired. The city itself did not keep me long, so I decided to drive on towards the Carpish Pass. But the memory of the encounter with the torrential duck remained vivid.
The torrential duck is a symbol of nature’s adaptability. These birds have adapted perfectly to life in fast-flowing rivers. Their elegant and powerful behavior in the waters is a striking example of the wonders of nature. It shows how important it is to keep our eyes open and appreciate the beauty of nature, no matter where we are.
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