Beware – red tailed hawks are protecting offspring

A couple of weeks ago, a hawk dive bombed me as I took orange peelings to compost but never touched me. So I guess that was my warning.

Early this morning I was outside walking in the yard when I was attacked by a red tailed hawk. He flew down on my head when he apparently thought I was a threat to his nest in a nearby palm. It felt like a huge hammer had hit me.

I did not fall to the ground but continued on my errand to the compost area with my bag of orange peelings. As I emptied the bag, I saw blood all over my hands and running down my clothing to my feet. As I showered and washed my hair, I watched the water almost turn red from the blood on my head.

What has been learned online is that I don’t need a tetanus shot as hawks don’t have rabies. My landlady has lived here 11 years and says nothing like this has ever happened before. She applied Neosporin to the opening on my scalp from his talon.

My head hurt so much. Two extra strength Tylenol later (six hours apart) I am able to recount this experience to make others aware there is a risk in the spring if you are near a hawk who has a nest of babies. Pat Bodi