10 on 10 - September 2014

It's the 10th, and that can only mean one thing: another 10 on 10! My favorite time of the month. Before we get started on some Portland fun, make sure you check out all of the other 10 on 10ers. As always, they are sure to have some great photos to share. I love that each of the 10 on 10ers all bring something different to the table and are always up to something new in their own neck of the woods. So check it:

Button Media 

CLB Creative 

Anya Elise Photography 

Brittany Conner Photography 

Shaw Photography 

Twinty Photography

And now back to the Swift Watch! (cue Brian Fantana)

Nabil and I have an ever growing bucket list of things that we want to do in Portland. We love this city and it really does have the coolest and most random things to do. For a few years, we have had it on our list to see the Vaux's Sifts at Chapman Elementary School in the late summer. We have heard about this, but this is the first time we have experienced it first hand.

Every September, Vaux's Swifts come to Portland on their migration further south. And every night at sunset they all flock to the NW Portland neighborhood and roost overnight in the chimney at Chapman Elementary School. Really random, and pretty cool to watch. Curses that I didn't have my really long lens, but you can get the idea.

Before the swarm (about 1900):

And then they came!

They all seemed to fly around the area for about 45 min and many flirted with going in the chimney, but didn't actually go in for a while (about 2000). Once they started, they each took turns and funneled into the chimney. Literally thousands and thousands of birds. Luckily, we escaped without any bird missiles land on our head.

If you look closely at the chimney on a few of the photos, you can see a hawk (I think) perched on the side. This smart little guy was just waiting for supper to come to him. Once they started to dive into the chimney, he picked one off and then flew to his own resting place for the night.

Per usual we drove around for a bit after the festivities taking in the views. Man I love this city! Hope you enjoyed another 10 on 10 as much as I did. If you haven't already check out our other fab photogs (links above).

Until next time...