At the trailhead in Fiordland National Park a sign warns hikers to be on the lookout for overly-protective hawks during nesting season. It helpfully suggests waving your arms, or using sticks, to prevent birds from attacking your head. Soon after the start of our hike on the Kepler track, a hawk swooped down, leading with its talons and brushed the ash-blonde locks of the victim pictured here.
After the unprovoked aggression, a stick was attached to JP’s head. His head no longer the tallest item in the forest, he was now out of harm’s way. His new look provided comedic relief for a small German girl and her family on the trail. Sehr gut!
