Chris Carvalho

katu.comMCSO completes two Gorge rescues near Horsetail FallsMultnomah County Sheriff’s Office search and rescue teams rescued two groups of hikers from hazardous terrain near the Horsetail Falls trail system in the Colum

2 groups of hikers rescued on Rock of Ages Trail, which has been closed since the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire: katu.com/news/local/m...

More balsamroot seed planting yesterday. We got rewarded with this stunner of a sunset. Oregon's Mt. Hood on the left. Our work is a gift to future generations, who will witness a transformed landscape.

Decent rain and a bit of snow in high elevations near the Gorge now. Remember that roads can be slick after a long dry spell. Please drive carefully.

October 21, OHA reported 4 new COVID deaths in Oregon; the total is now 10,985. Hospitalizations are at 1.8 per 100,000 compared to a national average of 1.2. Wastewater levels have dropped from the peak, but there are more cities (10) reporting sustained increases this week.

The media is ignoring the seriousness of this wave. Two of my friends have gotten it. One was sick for two weeks, though he was vaccinated. The other got pneumonia and was also sick and out of work for two weeks. He was in his 30’s.

A perfect afternoon yesterday for sowing balsamroot seed to restore grazed habitat.

Cedar waxwings are in the Gorge now, migrating south from Canada. Their flocks can startle easily, so please keep curtains closed on your windows to protect them from injury or death in collisions with glass. The birds are social & engaging, most entertaining to watch ...

They feed on berries and figs, which can ferment & the alcohol gives them a drunken stupor. If you find them on the ground, move them to a safe place to recover. Wash up afterward, they could carry bird flu & I've found lice & other parasites in their feathers.

Bald eagle in Beaverton! They are migrating now.

Fire burning near Underwood now:

Never seen Mt. Hood with so little snow on it. Tragic.

@support.bsky.team I'm seeing the following error posting from Microsoft Edge/Windows10: Loading module bsky.app/static/_expo... failed. (error: bsky.app/static/_expo...) It has persisted for 2 days, rebooting, closing the browser tab, signing in & out has not resolved it.

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On 10/7, OHA reported no new COVID deaths in Oregon; the total is 10,979. Hospitalizations are at 1.6 per 100,000, compared to a national average of 1.1. Wastewater levels show a sustained increase at 10 sites. This wave is at peak levels & the chart shows 4 years of data for ...

comparison to past waves. While this year is lower, it's not dramatically so. Lots of sick people out there, with 9.7% test positivity.

On Sept. 30, OHA reported 3 new COVID deaths in Oregon; the total is now 10,979. Hospitalizations are at 0.9 per 100,000, compared to a national average of 0.7. Wastewater levels are the highest of the past year, with many cities reporting sustained increases & 10% test positivity statewide.

A Mormon metalmark nectars on rabbitbrush, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, one of the late-season bloomers in desert areas of the east Gorge. Native Americans used the flowers to make a yellow dye. The roots were used as chewing gum. A decoction of the plant was taken for colds ...

& flu. Finely mashed leaves were inserted into cavities to relieve toothache. Modern research has found the plant is a source of natural rubber. Commercial use is under study. Other important compounds include diterpenoids, flavonoids, & polyacetylenes. The plant is toxic to ...

livestock, possibly due to its ability to lower blood pressure. It's also a natural deterrent to the Colorado potato beetle & the larval food plant for 2 butterfly & 3 moth species including the northern checkerspot (Chlosyne palla). See journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1...

Best zinnias I’ve ever had!

Got flu & Nuvaxovid shots today at CVS. Easy appointment process, waited about 5 minutes. It was also free. Nuvaxovid has minimal side effects compared to mRNA, & superior immunity. Highly recommended.

We harvested 8 lb. 2 oz. (3.69 kilos) of balsamroot seed for our restoration plantings this fall. If you tried to buy this seed commercially, it would cost around $800. But because the people doing the work are part of the LGBTQ+ community, you won't hear any recognition of ...

the effort & its significance for improving habitat in the Gorge. We do it anyway, because the Gorge itself knows & it rewards us in its own way that we feel in our hearts, something very few people ever experience.

ccor.caResearch Digest — Colorectal Cancer Outcomes ResearchThe trusted source for the latest colorectal cancer research and insights, empowering patients and families with knowledge for better health decisions.

UBC publishes this excellent colorectal cancer newsletter, subscribe at the link below. While focused on Canada, it has information for a global audience. This month: why 45 is the new 50 for screening. www.ccor.ca/newsletter?u...

Prof Peter Hotez MD PhD DSc(hon)

Updated OHA wastewater report shows COVID test positivity at 12.2% as of 9/12, highest level since October 2025.

Chris Carvalho reposted

@peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social

My comments with the Houston Press www.houstonpress.com/news/whateve...

houstonpress.comWhatever Happened to COVID Shots for Everyone? - Houston PressThe FDA has only approved COVID vaccines for a particular age range and for people who have underlying risk factors.

On Sunday, we pulled invasive Cota tinctoria along the Mosier Tunnels Trail. We have been working the site for several years and the bulk of the work is almost done. We still need to return annually to look for seedlings. I discovered the plant and was directed by the Forest ...

Service to remove it. They have also sent work crews to help. This is the kind of collaborative work that keeps the Gorge's ecosystem intact & wondrous for future generations.

On 9/16/26, OHA reported 1 new COVID death in Oregon; the total is now 10,976. Hospitalizations are at 0.3 per 100,000 compared to a national average of 0.7. After a brief drop in wastewater levels, they are rising again. Sustained increases reported in Tillamook, Dallas, ...

Albany, Portland, Bend, & Hermiston.

opb.orgPacific Northwest monarch butterflies are migrating south. You can watch them on an appMonarch butterflies are being digitally tracked in the region for the first time. The journey could reveal long-held mysteries about the insects' migration patterns.

22 Sept

More on the project to track migrating monarchs with radio tags: www.opb.org/article/2026...

kptv.comCyclist seriously hurt after being hit by TriMet Lift bus in SE PortlandA cyclist was seriously hurt after being hit by a TriMet Lift bus in the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood on Monday afternoon.

22 Sept

Cyclist seriously injured after being hit by Trimet Lift bus in SE Portland: www.kptv.com/video/2026/0...

oregonlive.comA century-old bridge across the Columbia River is hosting a free celebration this weekend in the GorgeThe iconic crossing that links Oregon to Washington celebrates its centennial Sept. 19 with music, historical exhibits, family activities and a vintage car show in Cascade Locks.

18 Sept

The Bridge of the Gods will celebrate its centennial on Sept. 19 at Marine Park in Cascade Locks. The event runs from noon to 8 pm & will feature live music, historical presentations, family activities, a vintage car show & local vendors. www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...

17 Sept

I adopted a monarch for radio tracking through adoptamonarch.org. It was released in Elkton, OR yesterday. It's not wasting any time. Today, it was tracked south of Port Orford, 79 miles away from where it was released! The organization uses tiny solar-powered radio ...

@birdallianceoregon.bsky.social

17 Sept

trackers that transmit a signal to mobile phones, similar to the way AirTags work. If you want to follow along, download their app and follow monarch ID: WR133 PLEXI. You can also donate to have your own monarch tracked! The tech will teach us loads about their migration journey.

Chris Carvalho reposted

Bird Alliance of Oregon

15 Sept

🚨Lights Out Alert! Tomorrow night approximately 4.1 million birds will migrate through Oregon's skies. Help keep them safe on their journey by turning off your outside lights and drawing your blinds between 11p-6a. 📷: aeroecolab.com/oregon

16 Sept

I’m hearing from drivers for FedEx & UPS that deliveries are delayed by about 5 hours each day due to the I-5 closure in Portland.

oregon.gov Oregon Department of Transportation : Project-Details : Projects : State of Oregon

12 Sept

ODOT reports that the McCord Creek Bridge on I-84 eastbound is now fully open to traffic, and the infamous dip in the roadway has been fixed. www.oregon.gov/odot/project...

10 Sept

This has been a bad year for peaches. Most have been dry & mealy. Columbia Blossom is the exception. Juicy & flavorful, though a bit small. New Seasons has them.

kptv.comHiker rescued near Triple Falls in northeast Multnomah CountyMultnomah County first responders rescued an injured hiker near Triple Falls on Monday.

Injured hiker rescued near Triple Falls today: www.kptv.com/2026/09/07/h...

Hooded ladies' tresses (Spiranthes romanzoffiana) is an uncommon orchid growing in wet places such as prairies & meadows at all elevations to timberline in the Gorge. It's hard to find except on high slopes around Mt. Hood. Native Americans used it to treat venereal disease ...

There is at least one reference indicating antibacterial & anti-inflammatory activity for another species in the genus found in Kenya & used for medicinal purposes there ...

Esther N. Matu, Johannes van Staden, "Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities of some plants used for medicinal purposes in Kenya." Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 87, Issue 1, 2003, Pages 35-41, ISSN 0378-8741, doi.org/10.1016/S037....

doi.orgRedirecting

6 Sept

A painted lady (Vanessa cardui) nectars on one of my zinnias.

5 Sept

Hood River Bridge closures planned starting 9/21. portofhoodriver.com

5 Sept

On 9/2/26, OHA reported 2 new COVID deaths in Oregon; the total is now 10,975. A fall wave is now underway, with increasing wastewater levels in many cities & a jump to 8% test positivity from near zero in late spring. Hospitalizations are at 0.4 per 100,000 compared to a ...

5 Sept

national average of 0.5.

opb.orgOregon State University study finds elevated lead levels near regional airportsThe study looked at air quality surrounding regional airports near Hillsboro and Troutdale, two of the top three lead emitters in Oregon.

3 Sept

OSU study finds high lead levels near the Troutdale Airport. I know 2 people nearby with anemia. Coincidence? www.opb.org/article/2026...

2 Sept

Asters are a common late summer & early fall flower in the Gorge. They are great pollinator plants & many will grow in your garden. This one is likely alpine aster (Aster alpigenus), growing in meadows above 3,000 ft. A comma anglewing is nectaring on it.

pbs.orgNew study reveals widespread signs of brain trauma among former NFL playersAt least one in four NFL players has CTE when they die, according to a new study that examined the brains of former pro players. CTE is a brain disease thought to be caused by years of sustained head ...

27 Aug

One overlooked factor that could be affecting the mathematical & financial disadvantages men experience is CTE from high school & college football. A new study is finding impairment, even in young adults. www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...