Bavarian Duck

On a fresh summer morning, I stood by the bank of a small, yet lively river in the heart of Bavaria, fishing. The air smelled of freshly cut grass, and the first rays of sunlight broke through the canopy of nearby trees. The river murmured softly, though the current was strong enough to keep the water in motion, with small waves lapping against the stones at the shore.

While I patiently waited for a bite, my gaze fell on a Bavarian duck gracefully drifting along the river. Her plumage was beautiful: a shimmering brown that perfectly blended into the natural surroundings, and on her wings gleamed the characteristic green stripe, unmistakably marking her as a mallard. She paddled vigorously with her orange feet against the current, but occasionally allowed herself to drift, as if she was enjoying nature's play as much as I was.

Since I always carry my camera with me, I quickly grabbed it and aimed it at the duck. At that exact moment, time seemed to stand still for a brief second. The duck slightly turned her head, as if she had noticed my presence, but instead of fleeing, she seemed to observe me for a moment. I pressed the shutter, and the moment was forever captured – the duck in the middle of the current, surrounded by glistening water droplets dancing in the sunlight.

It was a magical moment, a small piece of Bavarian nature that I will remember forever. The duck then paddled further down the river, as if she had accepted her brief encounter with me and was ready for new adventures in the wild currents.