Fire Bird Red Tailed Hawk over Santa Clara

While hiking the Anasazi trail one spring evening, I stood at a cliff edge overlooking the Santa Clara River just taking in this beautiful scene.
All of a sudden flash to the side caught my attention as this red-tailed hawk silently flew by less than ten feet below us, soaring into the distance a split second later.
It was so memorable, I knew I had to catch that moment in a painting. The hawk was glowing as he flew directly into the sun, as if he were on fire.