"Hand Catch" is the only safe recovery for you and the bird.
Establish a hover about at about 7ft . . .and away from you . .(see my avatar) . . take your thumb OFF the throttle lever ( just near it) . . approach it from below, grasp the leg firmly and throttle to idle. . .BEFORE you try to move it! . . especially in gusty winds. Just watch what it's doing as you approach to grab it.... and only AFTER it has held station for a few seconds. Day or night, it's the best way to save tipping over , damaging blades needlessly or bouncing the gimble. . . you're right though . . not good at eye level.
ps you should always use a neck strap so you can never drop the controller.