Narina Trogon, the Enigmatic Forest Spirit
When you enter the lush green depths of the forest, you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a truly remarkable creature – the Narina trogon. This mystical bird, with its mesmerizing coat of feathers, is like a phantom, appearing and disappearing without a trace.
The Narina trogon, also known as Apaloderma narina, possesses an enchanting beauty that has captivated nature enthusiasts for centuries. Its jewel-like plumage is a kaleidoscope of colors, shimmering in the dappled sunlight. From its regal crimson breast to the emerald green of its wings, every inch of this avian marvel is a work of art.
But it’s not just the striking appearance that makes the Narina trogon so intriguing. This elusive creature possesses a distinct personality that adds to its mystique. With its secretive nature, it often remains hidden amongst the foliage, revealing itself only to those patient enough to observe.
I have always been astonished by the Narina trogon’s unique behavior. For example, instead of building its own nest, it scouts for decaying tree cavities or abandoned barbet nests deep within the forest. A true opportunist, it takes advantage of what nature provides, adapting itself to its surroundings.
If you ever have the good fortune of encountering a Narina trogon, take a moment to appreciate this magical experience. But be aware, these enchanting birds are highly skilled at blending into their habitat. You may need a sharp eye to spot them amidst the dense foliage and vibrant flowers.
For those who have a passion for ornithology, the Narina trogon is a true gem. Its allure lies not only in its splendid appearance but also in the enigmatic nature it exudes. So, if you find yourself in the heart of the forest, keep your senses open, be patient, and maybe, just maybe, you will catch a glimpse of the Phantom of the Forest – the magnificent Narina trogon.
If you ever come across a Narina trogon, you should count yourself lucky because it’s not easy to spot. This bird is one of Africa’s most mysterious creatures, and very few people have the opportunity to spend weeks observing it up close. However, Hannes Lochner and Noa Koefler were able to do just that near the Blyde River Canyon, and they describe it as an experience of a lifetime.
‘Wow, you won’t believe the incredible sight I witnessed – a dazzling flash of green and red. It left me in awe, and I was determined to capture it on camera, exactly as I saw it. So, I decided to use a slow shutter speed,’ Hannes Lochner shared.
Credit: Photography by Hannes Lochner
Nature presented my wife and me with a wonderful surprise. We were engaged in a new photography project, focusing on capturing wildlife during the nighttime in a private game reserve close to the majestic Blyde River Canyon. While on our way to prepare our gear for the night shoot, a vibrant green flash streaked across the path of our vehicle, revealing the first glimpse of a magnificent Narina trogon.
For Noa, this marked her second sighting. During my absence on a safari with guests in the Kalahari last year, she had the good fortune of spotting this exquisite bird in the same vicinity near the Blyde River. Of course, she wasted no time in sending me a message, accompanied by a photograph, just to make me slightly envious. Little did we realize then how extraordinary this new encounter with the trogon would turn out to be.
As I ventured into the wild, I was amazed by the diverse array of creatures that coexisted in this habitat. Spiders, grasshoppers, and even a smooth caterpillar were the main menu for the magnificent trogon.
Equipped with my camera gear, I hopped into the game-drive vehicle and decided to follow this stunning bird on foot. As a filmmaker, the challenges were a tad greater for me. Setting up a tripod and lugging heavy gear was not an easy task. However, I was determined to overcome these obstacles and capture some incredible shots.
The next morning, despite a sleepless night of shooting, my excitement was still soaring. I was eager to track down the trogon once again. Armed with my camera and a sense of adventure, I embarked on a mission to find this elusive bird. After a few hours of searching, my heart leaped with joy as we heard its melodious call. We were now on the trail of this rare specimen.
We spotted the trogon again and this time, we didn’t waste a single moment. With ample sunlight, we had the perfect opportunity to capture mesmerizing images.
I had a tough time trying to capture this agile flyer as it zoomed through the air. It was a real challenge to freeze its motion with a slow shutter speed.
For the next few weeks, our main focus on the night project was photographing the trogon. It almost felt like a full-time job! Gradually, we started getting closer and closer to the bird. At first, all we saw was its back, and whenever we were ready to take a picture or start filming, it would fly away. It seemed like it was always just out of reach.
But something amazing happened. As the trogon got used to us being around, it started to trust us. It slowly let us into its world.
Hey there! Let me tell you about this fascinating bird I encountered during a wildlife adventure. Its stunning appearance caught my attention right away. When it called out, its throat patch expanded, showcasing a beautiful blue-green color. And you know what’s even cooler? The bird fluffed out its breast feathers, almost like a fashion model, to make an impression!
The bird was quite the performer, always displaying its talents. It would clean itself, call out with its distinctive sound, and even do acrobatics to catch insects. We were amazed by its agility! On one occasion, it even perched on our game drive vehicle, as if it wanted to join us on our adventure. What a character!
After spending about 8-10 hours every night just following this bird, it became a part of our lives. Even when we were photographing other creatures, we couldn’t help but think about this bird and its vibrant colors. In fact, it became a recurring theme in our dreams when we finally managed to sleep.
Isn’t it incredible how nature can captivate us like that? This unique bird definitely left a lasting impression on me, and I’m sure it would do the same for you if you ever had the chance to see it up close.
In the midst of our exploration through the bush, we encountered a curious challenge – an army of ants swarming around us, brought forth by the heavy rains of December. These tiny creatures proved to be quite the annoyance, tirelessly attacking our feet, especially when we dared to wear sandals. Oh, how their bites stung! We attempted to defend ourselves by slapping them away, only to have their painful retaliation shock us even further.
At first, we tolerated the pain, convinced it was a necessary discomfort in our quest for adventure. But alas, the situation worsened, pushing us to desperate measures. We resorted to encasing our vulnerable feet in plastic bags, hoping to fend off the relentless ants. To our surprise, this makeshift defense worked like magic – the ants simply refused to traverse the plastic barrier in their miniature quest for conquest.
And so, with our clumsy plastic-covered footsteps echoing through the wilderness, we continued our journey. Despite the oddity of our appearance, we were grateful for this peculiar solution. In fact, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise, for during our time in nature, we formed a beautiful camaraderie with a magnificent bird called the trogon. The trogon became our loyal companion, our secret accomplice in deciphering the wonders of the bush.
As we reflect back on those days entangled in the mysteries of the wilderness, we cherish the memories of our peculiar friendship with the trogon. It was a rewarding experience, one that helped us find solace after enduring the lengthy isolation of the pandemic lockdown. In the end, the nuisance of the ants became a mere footnote in our tale of exploration and self-discovery.
I have this favorite spot where I like to sit in the shade. It’s the perfect place for me to admire my reflection and fluff up my feathers to impress the ladies.
Why do they call me a Narina trogon?
Let me tell you a little story about a remarkable man named François le Vaillant. He’s known as the best bird expert in Africa. Born in Suriname in 1753, he was the son of a Frenchman. In 1781, he was sent to the Cape by the Dutch East India Company, and during his travels there, he collected all kinds of bird specimens.
Now, while he was in the Cape, François found himself in a romantic relationship with a woman named Narina. She was believed to be of Khoikhoi origin. In honor of his beloved mistress, François decided to name a beautiful bird after her – me! That’s why I’m called the Narina trogon.
But here’s a fun fact for you: we decided that I needed a new name. After all, I’m a male bird, and being named after a woman might not be the best fit. So, my friends came up with another name for me – Jagger. They named me after their game-drive vehicle, Mick Jagger, because that’s where I like to perch. It’s a pretty cool name if you ask me!
My wife, Noa Koefler, and I have a deep love for wildlife, and we share that passion by capturing it through our cameras. While I hail from the magnificent Dolomite Mountains in southern Tyrol, Italy, Noa’s fascination with wildlife truly blossomed after she arrived in Africa and decided to pursue her dreams in field guiding and wildlife filmmaking. It was during her time working on a film project in the Kalahari that our paths crossed.
As luck would have it, Hannes Lochner, that’s me, happened to be in the Kalahari as well. I’m an award-winning photographer, and I have authored various splendid wildlife photography books on the Kalahari and Okavango. Our shared passion for capturing the beauty of the African wilderness brought Noa and me together. Since then, we’ve embarked on numerous photographic endeavors across Southern Africa.
When it comes to our gear, I rely on the exceptional camera systems provided by @sonyalpha, and both Noa and I trust @cartoni.camerasupports for incredible equipment support. We store our precious images and videos on @lacie_tech drives, which offer us reliable storage solutions. You can join in on our thrilling adventures by visiting us on patreon.com/hanneslochner.
