I woke up early today and decided to try one more time for the RUSTY BLACKBIRD in Hillsboro.  It was my fifth visit.  I arrived shortly after 0700 and quickly found a flock of Blackbirds foraging on the ground across the pond behind the library.  I was pumped, until the flock flushed high and far over the top of the building on the other side of the pond. I debated with myself whether to follow the flock or stay put. I chose to chase - which turned out to be the wrong move since another birder reported arriving at the pond around 0800 and immediately found and photographed the quarry.

Two and half hours later I was preparing to go home when a couple guys, whose names I should have - but don't, showed up looking for the same bird.  One from Tillamook, the other from Troutdale - they were brothers.  It touched my heart as I reflected on two of my brothers recent, untimely passing.  

As I snap-back out of that self-induced melancholy; I hope you enjoy the photos below of my 276th species photographed in Oregon, along with a few other images of birds captured while waiting for rusty-lighting to strike.  

RUSTY BLACKBIRD (seven photos):

Below are some of the other images Jill and I enjoyed capturing during this extended chase. 

PIED-BILLED GREBE

RED-TAILED HAWK

INTERESTING NESTING CAVITY BEHIND THE ACORN WOODPECKER GRAINERY

AMERICAN WIGEON 

BUFFLEHEAD

GREAT BLUE HERON

THE POND ADJACENT TO WHERE ALL THE ACTION WAS THIS MORNING