Red-winged Blackbird nest in a Curly Dock, (Rumex crispus), plant.
I noticed almost all of the Red-winged Blackbird nests are built in the stems of Curly Dock. They need strong stems to anchor their nest, usually using three stems.
Red-winged Blackbirds are my second-favorite bird with the Barnswallow being my favorite. Ironically, these are the two birds who terrorized me in my youth. Both viciously dive at those they feel are intruding into their territory. The Barnswallow attacks the barn cats as they cross the yard. The Blackbird will even attack Red-tailed Hawks and other raptors.
I’m a believer in and witness to Extra Sensory Perception. Not ESP as typically thought of as a human reading someone’s mind, but just anything which hasn’t been proven, but can witnessed. There is so much we don’t understand.
As I said, these birds tormented me until the day I decided to not be afraid anymore. Once I decided they really couldn’t hurt me, they mostly left me alone. I believe somehow they sensed my fear and the absence of it. Maybe they notice body language. Do any of you have stories about these birds?
Curiousfarmer 
Matthew, there is a contest at the Cornell Bird Cam web site, called “Funky Nests in Funky Places”. Your photo would be a winner, I’d bet.
Perhaps as a child you finally understood confrontation; and the birds knew, then, that they had a worthy opponent. You became a part of the “pecking order” if you’ll pardon the pun.
Thank you, Chris.
What’s interesting is I didn’t have to swing my hands or do anything vaguely threatening.