Kea blimey! Hiker snaps stunning souvenir
An American tourist has captured “once in a lifetime” photographs of a kea in flight after it interrupted his lunch while on the Kepler Track in Fiordland.
Californian Phil Narodick was hiking with his fiancee when he snapped the inquisitive kea swooping down near Mt Luxmore.
“We had spent our first night at Luxmore Hut which is above the tree line. We were warned about the kea and not to feed them,” Narodick told the Herald.
The next day, they veered off the track to have lunch at the summit of the mountain overlooking Fiordland.
But that was soon interrupted by a kea, who kept trying to steal the couple’s food.
“It would come in and try to make a run for the food. I’d have to wave my hands to try and scare it away, but it kept coming back for more.
“When it flew away it looked so beautiful that the next time it came back I whipped my iPhone out and started taking pictures of it and managed to get one that was amazing.”
Narodick says the kea kept them company for about 15 to 20 minutes before it flew away.
The 33-year-old said the interaction with the kea was one of the best moments of his life.
“My fiancee was happy I spent more time focusing on the kea than her,” he joked.
“It was the best trip of my life. The Kepler Track was the best part of the trip. The views were unparalleled.”
Kea are nicknamed the “clown of the mountains” as they are notorious for exploring humans’ backpacks, boots and equipment while in the mountains.
Narodick says it won’t be the last time he visits New Zealand and wanted to encourage Kiwis to explore their own backyard.
“I was blown away. I’ve been saying to friends since I’ve come home I can’t recommend New Zealand highly enough.
“You live in such a beautiful country.”