Chris Carvalho
@gorgepulse.bsky.social
News, photography, analysis, and commentary on the Columbia Gorge and the environment. Rectal cancer survivor. Voice of marginalized Gorge communities.
If you’re in the east Gorge, you might be able to see the aurora right now.
November 12, 2025 at 4:16 AM
If you’re in the east Gorge, you might be able to see the aurora right now.
This year we collected 4.7 lb. of balsamroot seed. On Saturday, we started planting it in the burn area of the Burdoin Fire. The area has a lot of damage but will recover.
November 11, 2025 at 12:16 AM
This year we collected 4.7 lb. of balsamroot seed. On Saturday, we started planting it in the burn area of the Burdoin Fire. The area has a lot of damage but will recover.
Fall reflections on a quiet stream in the Gorge. Lower left, in the blue area, is a water strider. They are amazing insects. Besides being able to support 15 times their weight on water, they can also fly to access new wetlands. But some generations in areas with permanent ...
November 8, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Fall reflections on a quiet stream in the Gorge. Lower left, in the blue area, is a water strider. They are amazing insects. Besides being able to support 15 times their weight on water, they can also fly to access new wetlands. But some generations in areas with permanent ...
Here's the 2024 rail safety update: Union Pacific has finally achieved par with other railroads for fire/violent rupture incidents, the 1st time since 2011 this has happened. What's measured, improves. This is good news for the Gorge.
November 6, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Here's the 2024 rail safety update: Union Pacific has finally achieved par with other railroads for fire/violent rupture incidents, the 1st time since 2011 this has happened. What's measured, improves. This is good news for the Gorge.
Fall colors in the Gorge are looking near peak now, and could be at peak this weekend, when good weather is expected. The best oaks are along the Klickitat River (below).
November 5, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Fall colors in the Gorge are looking near peak now, and could be at peak this weekend, when good weather is expected. The best oaks are along the Klickitat River (below).
Reposted by Chris Carvalho
Looking across the Columbia River at Mt. St. Helens looking beautiful with a new coat of snow!
November 4, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Looking across the Columbia River at Mt. St. Helens looking beautiful with a new coat of snow!
Interesting: Government shutdowns were invented by Jimmy Carter's attorney general, who decided to reinterpret an obscure 1884 law. This means government employees could take this to the Supreme Court for a ruling: www.govexec.com/management/2...
That Time a Lawyer Invented the Government Shutdown
For nearly 200 years, shutdowns simply didn’t happen, even when Congress didn’t finish spending bills.
www.govexec.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:36 AM
Interesting: Government shutdowns were invented by Jimmy Carter's attorney general, who decided to reinterpret an obscure 1884 law. This means government employees could take this to the Supreme Court for a ruling: www.govexec.com/management/2...
This is why seafood, once thought to be healthful, is now coming into question due to microplastic pollution. The article's assertion that the source is overtourism isn't valid though, as the plastics could also come from local residents. www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
Mussels reveal growing microplastic pollution in Greece's prized seas
Overtourism and heavy maritime traffic across the Mediterranean are contributing to a rise in pollution in Greece's azure waters, say Greek scientists who have deployed thousands of mussels on the seafloor to help detect microplastics.
www.reuters.com
November 4, 2025 at 12:21 AM
This is why seafood, once thought to be healthful, is now coming into question due to microplastic pollution. The article's assertion that the source is overtourism isn't valid though, as the plastics could also come from local residents. www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
A Multnomah County Circuit Court judge has allowed an important lawsuit seeking to ban circumcision of baby boys to proceed to discovery. (Oregonian, 11/2/25, p. A12)
November 2, 2025 at 11:39 PM
A Multnomah County Circuit Court judge has allowed an important lawsuit seeking to ban circumcision of baby boys to proceed to discovery. (Oregonian, 11/2/25, p. A12)
October 29, OHA reported no new COVID deaths in Oregon; the total is 10,888. This is the 3rd week in a row with no deaths, a 1st since the pandemic started. We're in a lull period with low wastewater levels. It's a good time to schedule high-risk activities such as dental visits.
November 2, 2025 at 11:28 PM
October 29, OHA reported no new COVID deaths in Oregon; the total is 10,888. This is the 3rd week in a row with no deaths, a 1st since the pandemic started. We're in a lull period with low wastewater levels. It's a good time to schedule high-risk activities such as dental visits.
Bead lily (Clintonia uniflora) or queen's cup, grows in moist coniferous forest in the Gorge. It blooms in summer. Native Americans used a juice from smashed plants as a wash for cuts & sore eyes & applied a poultice of the plant to wounds & eyes. The root juice was taken for ...
#Nativeplants
#Nativeplants
October 27, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Bead lily (Clintonia uniflora) or queen's cup, grows in moist coniferous forest in the Gorge. It blooms in summer. Native Americans used a juice from smashed plants as a wash for cuts & sore eyes & applied a poultice of the plant to wounds & eyes. The root juice was taken for ...
#Nativeplants
#Nativeplants
Columbia River flood basalts formed in the Miocene from 6 to 17 million years ago. Today, they show up as horizontal bands in the Gorge. Some are tilted due to the uplift that formed the Cascade Range (distant right.) Could another eruption happen? It would be catastrophic ...
October 24, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Columbia River flood basalts formed in the Miocene from 6 to 17 million years ago. Today, they show up as horizontal bands in the Gorge. Some are tilted due to the uplift that formed the Cascade Range (distant right.) Could another eruption happen? It would be catastrophic ...
Vine maples are reaching their peak in the Gorge, & Mt. Hood finally has some snow on it. This shot was taken in 2007, titled "Autumn's Embrace." Provia 100F 4x5 chrome #BelieveinFilm
October 22, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Vine maples are reaching their peak in the Gorge, & Mt. Hood finally has some snow on it. This shot was taken in 2007, titled "Autumn's Embrace." Provia 100F 4x5 chrome #BelieveinFilm
The Portland & Sandy Next Adventure stores have been resurrected & new ownership starts November 1. (Oregonian, 10/22/25, p. A10)
October 22, 2025 at 11:13 PM
The Portland & Sandy Next Adventure stores have been resurrected & new ownership starts November 1. (Oregonian, 10/22/25, p. A10)
Broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae) is a yellow composite blooming in grasslands of the eastern Gorge. It's fairly rare here but widespread across the American West's deserts. The late summer flowers are an important nectar source for butterflies & moths. While ranchers ...
#Nativeplants
#Nativeplants
October 20, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae) is a yellow composite blooming in grasslands of the eastern Gorge. It's fairly rare here but widespread across the American West's deserts. The late summer flowers are an important nectar source for butterflies & moths. While ranchers ...
#Nativeplants
#Nativeplants
Wednesday, OHA reported zero new COVID deaths in Oregon; the total is now 10,888. Hospitalization data are unavailable due to the federal government shutdown. Wastewater levels are showing the current wave has peaked in Oregon. No sites are showing increases as of 10/9.
October 17, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Wednesday, OHA reported zero new COVID deaths in Oregon; the total is now 10,888. Hospitalization data are unavailable due to the federal government shutdown. Wastewater levels are showing the current wave has peaked in Oregon. No sites are showing increases as of 10/9.
Fall is happening in the Gorge. This is "Dancing Forest," Oregon white oaks with oceanspray shrubs in the foreground. Pure magic. Provia 100F 645 chrome #BelieveInFilm
October 17, 2025 at 12:17 AM
Fall is happening in the Gorge. This is "Dancing Forest," Oregon white oaks with oceanspray shrubs in the foreground. Pure magic. Provia 100F 645 chrome #BelieveInFilm
Trader Joe's in Gresham is now open. biztrib.com/2025/10/14/g...
Gresham shoppers welcome Trader Joe’s with fervor, fanfare - Business Tribune
Specialty grocer Trader Joe's opens new location Friday, Oct. 10, in the Oregon Trail Center, with plenty of community excitement
biztrib.com
October 15, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Trader Joe's in Gresham is now open. biztrib.com/2025/10/14/g...
Portland City Auditor finds city parks with $800 million maintenance backlog, while the city continues to spend money building new parks as it closes others in disrepair. www.opb.org/article/2025...
Portland Parks Bureau lacks stable funding plan, audit finds
Portland’s parks system is built on an unsustainable funding model that threatens the future of the city’s beloved outdoor spaces, according to a city audit released Wednesday.
www.opb.org
October 15, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Portland City Auditor finds city parks with $800 million maintenance backlog, while the city continues to spend money building new parks as it closes others in disrepair. www.opb.org/article/2025...
The DMV released a new plate design today.
October 14, 2025 at 4:10 AM
The DMV released a new plate design today.
Snow-in-Summer lichen carpets the ground near Mt. Hood. This species likes mostly sunny areas with well-drained soil. It gets its name because it grows in large patches that resemble snow when seen from a distance.
#Nativeplants
#Nativeplants
October 12, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Snow-in-Summer lichen carpets the ground near Mt. Hood. This species likes mostly sunny areas with well-drained soil. It gets its name because it grows in large patches that resemble snow when seen from a distance.
#Nativeplants
#Nativeplants
Along with Trader Joe's, In-N-Out Burger is coming to Gresham. (Oregonian, 10/12/25, p. D5)
October 12, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Along with Trader Joe's, In-N-Out Burger is coming to Gresham. (Oregonian, 10/12/25, p. D5)
Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) grows in open woods at low to mid elevations of the west & central Gorge. It makes a nice garden plant & is drought tolerant. While the berries are thought to be poisonous, there's no actual evidence & they don't taste good anyway. Native ...
#Nativeplants
#Nativeplants
October 12, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) grows in open woods at low to mid elevations of the west & central Gorge. It makes a nice garden plant & is drought tolerant. While the berries are thought to be poisonous, there's no actual evidence & they don't taste good anyway. Native ...
#Nativeplants
#Nativeplants
Wednesday, OHA reported 3 new COVID deaths in Oregon; the total is now 10,888. Wastewater data as of Oct. 1 shows no sites with increases. Hospitalization data from CDC are paused due to the government shutdown, with a blatantly hateful political message on the webpage.
October 9, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Wednesday, OHA reported 3 new COVID deaths in Oregon; the total is now 10,888. Wastewater data as of Oct. 1 shows no sites with increases. Hospitalization data from CDC are paused due to the government shutdown, with a blatantly hateful political message on the webpage.
The Green Hornets team rescued 2 lost hikers on the closed Rock of Ages Trail in the Gorge early Wednesday. Coordinates from a GPS smartphone app aided the rescue.
www.koin.com/news/oregon/...
www.koin.com/news/oregon/...
2 hikers rescued after getting lost on ‘rugged, overgrown’ Columbia Gorge trail
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Two lost hikers were rescued from a closed-off and “rugged, overgrown” trail in the Columbia River Gorge overnight, authorities said. “The hikers were cold…
www.koin.com
October 9, 2025 at 6:38 PM
The Green Hornets team rescued 2 lost hikers on the closed Rock of Ages Trail in the Gorge early Wednesday. Coordinates from a GPS smartphone app aided the rescue.
www.koin.com/news/oregon/...
www.koin.com/news/oregon/...