Monk chilling on wind turbine disrupted by drone

A Benedictine monk in the US northeast has gone to great lengths to get a tan and some alone time. Or perhaps more accurately great heights, after a drone spotted him perched atop a 60m wind turbine.

Brother Joseph Byron was soaking up the sun and enjoying the cool breeze when his serenity was momentarily disrupted by a drone pilot.

The monk, who works at the Portsmouth Abbey School, in Rhode Island had reached the summit of the turbine by climbing the stairs inside the mono-pole tower.

Footage shot by the drone shows the bearded man of the cloth lying down on the turbine and appearing completely relaxed despite the absence of any safety equipment.

"It is not scary; it is peaceful and the views of the bay are spectacular," Brother Byron told the Providence JournalProvidence Journal

"I am not afraid of heights."

Brother Byron helped install the structure in 2006 and has been paying regular visits for years.

He said that he had never seen a drone up close before but was far from impressed with the unexpected visitor.

"It was a little annoying," Brother Byron said.

"It seems you cannot go anywhere to get away anymore."