This was a day for raptors, including this Red-shouldered Hawk perched on a weather-beaten palm tree.

He sat still when I got out of the car…

But took off when another vehicle passed. He did not fly in the direction I was ready for, coming much closer than I anticipated. The composition of this image is not at all pleasing but I loved the color pattern on his outstretched wing.

Bio Lab Road, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Florida
December 31, 2023