I am not sure if she was searching for food or was gathering nesting materials, but this female Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) was relentlessly attacking a cattail stalk. She paused for a minute and looked up, providing me with this photo op.
I like the way that her bill and her feet are covered with the cottony inner fibers of the cattail. The shadowy image of the male Red-winged Blackbird, with his distinctive shoulder patches, adds a interesting element to the background.
Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
Nice shot! We all know that the females do this, but rarely see photos of it happening. You were certainly in the right spot at the right time for this one.
If you’ve ever had a cattail “explode” in your house you’ll understand why my first thought was “poor bird.”
Thanks. I have never had the “joy” of having had a cattail explode indoors, but suspect it’s a real mess. It’s really cool to find myself in situations like this, hoping that the photos capture a sense of a fascinating experience so I can share it with others.
That’s a great catch. Those fibres are everywhere when they explode.