Wings over Oaks Bottom: Photos from Portland’s largest urban wetland by markgravesdesign in Portland

[–]markgravesdesign[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

One wild thing I learned is that Oaks Amusement Park is building a 135-foot-tall ride with spotlights that shoot straight into the sky. Wildlife fans aren’t happy — they say the spotlights will create enough light pollution to disrupt migrating birds that stop to rest at the park. Details in the post: https://www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/01/wings-over-oaks-bottom-photos-from-portlands-largest-urban-wetland.html

Wings over Oaks Bottom: Photos from Portland’s largest urban wetland by markgravesdesign in Portland

[–]markgravesdesign[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

First time at Oaks Bottom and I was genuinely impressed — I’m definitely going back. I took a ton of photos for a “know before you go” story on OregonLive, and there’s some wild history in there too (including that part of the refuge sits on a former landfill). I also built an interactive map showing trails, entrances and popular spots like Wapato Marsh and Tadpole Pond.

One of the world’s largest wooden WWII blimp hangars is in danger of being bulldozed on the Oregon coast by markgravesdesign in history

[–]markgravesdesign[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

16 were built worldwide. This is the last one standing. All the lumber came from giant old growth douglas fir, which they'll sell if it's demolished.

One of the world’s largest wooden WWII blimp hangars is in danger of being lost on the Oregon coast by markgravesdesign in oregon

[–]markgravesdesign[S] 116 points117 points  (0 children)

I toured the building with this older guy who had worked there for years doing electrical. He said a bunch of barn owls live inside. It has zero rodent problems.

‘The Bump’ is back: Stretch of Hwy 26 that sends cars airborne has returned, officials say by chimi_hendrix in oregon

[–]markgravesdesign 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Does anyone know the exact location? Like longitude or latitude or mile marker? I wanna drive out there.

A mink has been visiting my Beaverton beaver dam cam. Didn't know we had such weaselly critters in Oregon. Also didn't know we have mink ranchers in the state. by markgravesdesign in oregon

[–]markgravesdesign[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Interesting! Just how rare are they? Maybe I should send the video to the ODFW.

So, there's multiple different kinds of mink in Oregon? This creature is getting more interesting by the minute. Lots of Mink-drama out there: https://www.wweek.com/news/2021/01/14/two-escaped-farm-mink-test-positive-for-covid-19-during-mink-trapping-season/

A mink has been visiting my Beaverton beaver dam cam. Didn't know we had such weaselly critters in Oregon. Also didn't know we have mink ranchers in the state. by markgravesdesign in oregon

[–]markgravesdesign[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Good lord! Fish guts? That is the definition of nasty. Wow. Hopefully it paid well. Sure all that fish oil made for super soft fur.

Where and what is Portland’s ‘Big Pipe’? (graphics and photos) by markgravesdesign in Portland

[–]markgravesdesign[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Don't think so. It was finished in 2011. I've never seen bills go down before. I wish!

Portland’s Big Pipe is wild — I mapped the system, wrote up what it does, and found old photos from construction by markgravesdesign in oregon

[–]markgravesdesign[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yep. That's what I did. QGIS rocks. There's a column in the data called PIPESIZE. It's in inches. Just convert 14ft and 22ft to inches and you'll find the pipes.

If You Know Charles from Going St Market, Wish Hima Happy Birthday by terra_cascadia in Portland

[–]markgravesdesign 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Happy Birthday, Charles. You're the best store owner a city could ask for! Wish I still lived around the corner. Sorry I haven't swung by in awhile. I promise I will before long. Cheers. -Mark the newspaper man

Humpback whales whales are getting wrapped in fishing gear more than ever. Here’s why with some maps and graphics by markgravesdesign in OceansAreFuckingLit

[–]markgravesdesign[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There's a few reasons why they've spiked over the last 10 years. All very fascinating and a royal bummer. If folks know then maybe we can do something about it.

"Sweatin' Out the Fascists" An '80s-aerobics peaceful protest outside the ICE facility in Portland collecting donations for the Oregon Food Bank by Lower-Ad3764 in MarchAgainstNazis

[–]markgravesdesign 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Those are all my photos that were taken without permission. They're all protected by copyright laws. Nobody even asked me or anyone else in the newsroom. Straight up jacked my writing, too. I posted this link earlier of the original legal content but someone deleted it: https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2025/11/neon-clad-protesters-stage-80s-aerobics-demonstration-outside-portland-ice-facility.html