Look: The real life inspiration for the legendary Ibong Adarna


Legends are usually based on real life, either as a way to explain the mundane but unexplainable or to make what is ordinary extraordinary.

In the case of local legend Ibong Adarna, its real life basis is as beautifully extravagant. Wildlife photographer Edwin Martinez was able to capture this regal bird, commonly known as the Philippine Trogon, in its habitat in the Sierra Madre mountains.

“I have been trying to photograph this bird since September, when I first went to the Sierra Madre ranges,” Edwin shares on his Facebook page. “I was able to photograph the female but the distance was too far. Recently was given another chance and, despite the heavy rains, we were rewarded with the more colorful male Philippine Trogon.”

Check out this majestic Trogon below.