I went looking for Pine Grosbeaks at some old berry / crabapple farms and found instead one of the birds of the Boreal Forest which is unfortunately experiencing the greatest population drop of any kind of bird in North America. Rusty Blackbirds breed up in the Boreal Forest swamps north of the border in Canada, and we occasionally see them here in northern Minnesota during their southern migration. Their population drop has been estimated at 85 to 99 percent over the past 40 years. Hopefully they are not a “canary in coal mine”. 
Glad to see you are back in the saddle! Previous years here in NW Wisconsin I’ve seen quite a few Rusty Blackbirds during their fall migration – big flocks last year even. This year, nary a one. There is still time though, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed. I love their vocalizations which sound to me like “Bubble and SQUEAK!”.
I am very happy to hear you have recovered and are able to send us your wonderful
bird reviews. and photos (Also the picture of the sunrise was exquisite!
Gudrun Kamps