Birds of prey are almost always beautiful, imposing animals with an imperial disposition and this handsome red shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus) was no different. He was perched on a fence post near a large pasture, where he was hunting grasshoppers. From this perch, he had a perfect view of the expanse of long grass. With his sharp vision, he could spot the movement of grasshoppers quite easily. Many birds of prey are very shy and don’t like having people around, but because I stayed in my rolling hide (otherwise known as my truck) he didn’t seem to mind my watching and photographing him. I never know what I may find riding around on the back roads of our rural county.