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.
On a nighttime walk near my home recently, a dark shape flew silently above me. It was an owl, landing on a power line about 15 ft. overhead. I got a flash photo with my phone. It looks like a barred owl. Any experts with another opinion, please reply.
November 24, 2025 at 11:53 PM
On a nighttime walk near my home recently, a dark shape flew silently above me. It was an owl, landing on a power line about 15 ft. overhead. I got a flash photo with my phone. It looks like a barred owl. Any experts with another opinion, please reply.
Earth star mushrooms are doing well now in the Burdoin Fire burn area of the Gorge. They bear spores in late winter & early spring. They are related to puffballs & are not edible. More at:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myriost...
Although once considered to be a single species, genetic ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myriost...
Although once considered to be a single species, genetic ...
November 22, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Earth star mushrooms are doing well now in the Burdoin Fire burn area of the Gorge. They bear spores in late winter & early spring. They are related to puffballs & are not edible. More at:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myriost...
Although once considered to be a single species, genetic ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myriost...
Although once considered to be a single species, genetic ...
The email I've been waiting for years to arrive finally did. Kevin Gorman is retiring as director of Friends of the Gorge. This is a critical step that might have positive implications for the nonprofit. Gorman presided over a policy of bigotry towards the LGBTQ+ community & ...
November 21, 2025 at 11:45 PM
The email I've been waiting for years to arrive finally did. Kevin Gorman is retiring as director of Friends of the Gorge. This is a critical step that might have positive implications for the nonprofit. Gorman presided over a policy of bigotry towards the LGBTQ+ community & ...
On November 19, 1921, a blizzard blocked the recently completed Columbia River Highway near Mosier. Snowdrifts trapped several travelers in tunnels west of town including Charles Sadilek, who was on a goose hunting trip. After a few days rescuers dug out the road. Some of ...
November 20, 2025 at 11:42 PM
On November 19, 1921, a blizzard blocked the recently completed Columbia River Highway near Mosier. Snowdrifts trapped several travelers in tunnels west of town including Charles Sadilek, who was on a goose hunting trip. After a few days rescuers dug out the road. Some of ...
A freeze warning is in effect for the east Gorge from 11 pm Tuesday through 10 am Wednesday. www.koin.com/weather/weat...
www.koin.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:00 AM
A freeze warning is in effect for the east Gorge from 11 pm Tuesday through 10 am Wednesday. www.koin.com/weather/weat...
I don’t have a subscription, but if someone has a gift link, please post in the comments: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/s...
We Can Now Track Individual Monarch Butterflies. It’s a Revelation.
www.nytimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:32 PM
I don’t have a subscription, but if someone has a gift link, please post in the comments: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/s...
After years of disrepair, the Trillium Lake loop trail has a fully accessible boardwalk. (Oregonian, 11/16/25, p. C5)
November 17, 2025 at 1:15 AM
After years of disrepair, the Trillium Lake loop trail has a fully accessible boardwalk. (Oregonian, 11/16/25, p. C5)
On Wed. 11/12, OHA reported no new COVID deaths in Oregon; the total remains at 10,888 for 5 straight weeks. CDC's website is now open, reporting 1.3 hospitalizations per 100,000 as of 10/25, compared to a national average of 0.8. Wastewater levels continue to drop statewide.
November 16, 2025 at 12:02 AM
On Wed. 11/12, OHA reported no new COVID deaths in Oregon; the total remains at 10,888 for 5 straight weeks. CDC's website is now open, reporting 1.3 hospitalizations per 100,000 as of 10/25, compared to a national average of 0.8. Wastewater levels continue to drop statewide.
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