Eventually I have to take a break from painting and teaching and when I do I like to get outside. I cherish every day it’s not raining here (Portland, Oregon) and our summers are amazing! Each evening in September there is a spectacular display of Vaux Swifts that gather to roost in the chimney at Chapman School.  Past years have seen as many as 35,000 swifts, but more recently high estimates have been around 15,000 swifts. This was our first visit to see the swifts in person and it was spectacular!

If you can’t see the video above go to YouTube. They also have many others uploaded by enthusiastic Portlanders. For more information visit the Audobon Society’s Swift Watch web page.