Sylvan-Highlands, OR

Portland

Golden Breasted Starling From the African Rainforest Aviary.
I'll post other photos from the zoo from time to time, but, for now, I'll leave you with this story. While heading for the exit after a long day of walking, and looking, and taking pictures, I was drawn to something out of the corner of my eye. A female mallard was calmly sitting in the waters of a rushing fountain, the kind of thing wild fowl generally tend to do. Standing by the fountain was a boy, and sitting a few feet away, his mother. The boy was doing everything in his power to bother the duck. -- splashing it, yelling at it, jumping up and down. His mother sat by, watching mutely. On the pretext of setting up to take photographs, I walked over and began to focus. In as polite a voice as I could manage, I told the boy that it was probably best to stop bothering the duck, that it wasn't a particularly nice thing to do, and, after a pause, I asked him, with a pointed glance, how much would he like it if someone did that to him. Emerging from her seemingly somnambulistic state, the mother urged the boy away, and the two left quickly together. It is not always easy to tell the difference between the animals and the noble souls in a place like this, or perhaps anywhere, for that matter. Wild animals behave the way they do because they have to. To see a crane dancing alone in a field, completely in thrall to its instincts, without even a partner to make sense of the thing, is to understand just how little choice it has over what it does. But we do have a choice. We are the creatures who invented choosing. That we have chosen to set aside places to preserve and protect some of the rarest animals on earth is a testament to our most noble faculties, and to our ability to choose well when the right choice presents itself. I hope we can continue to choose well, that our less noble faculties don't get the better of us, and compel us to make choices that those judging our actions on some future date consider only with confusion and despair. Perhaps it was a little less than noble of me to school a small boy in the humane treatment of animals, but judging from the context, that lesson might never have come. Chances are it went into one ear and right out the other. But if he had grown up without ever hearing those words, he might never have had the chance to learn the lesson they attempted to instill. Moreover, and more sadly, he might never have cared. As I dismantle my soapbox and walk away for the evening, I will leave you with a modest bit of preaching: to my mind there is really only one choice when it comes to that lesson. We all need to learn it. We all need to care.
A pair of Sacred Ibis battling over a scrap of meat. Actually the battle is over, and the one flying away has claimed the spoils.
I believe this is an Emerald Starling. The zoo lists all of its animals on its web site, though I've found the list to be incomplete. This resembles most closely the photo they have for that species, though not entirely, I'm afraid.
World Forestry Center featuring interior views

Sylvan-Highlands Hotel Deals

The Paramount Hotel

The Paramount Hotel

3.5 out of 5
808 SW Taylor St Portland OR
The price is ￥13,539 per night from Mar 24 to Mar 25
￥13,539
￥15,781 total
Mar 24 - Mar 25
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Portland. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the restaurant ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (3,275 reviews)
Amazing valet staff! Car was always brought around so fast, doors held, patient and kind. Front desk staff was also lovely.

Reviewed on Mar 22, 2026

The Paramount Hotel
Park Lane Suites and Inn

Park Lane Suites and Inn

2.5 out of 5
809 SW King Avenue Portland OR
The price is ￥13,872 per night from Mar 24 to Mar 25
￥13,872
￥16,092 total
Mar 24 - Mar 25
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Portland. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,681 reviews)
Inexpensive, clean and exceptionally competent staff. The parking is free, yay, although it's a tight squeeze

Reviewed on Mar 22, 2026

Park Lane Suites and Inn
Cambria Hotel Portland - Pearl District

Cambria Hotel Portland - Pearl District

3 out of 5
165 NW Park Ave Portland OR
The price is ￥18,272 per night from Apr 19 to Apr 20
￥18,272
￥21,196 total
Apr 19 - Apr 20
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Portland. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Popular attractions Moda Center and Oregon Zoo are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (345 reviews)
The room was spotless, bed and pillows comfy, shower very nice, and plenty of lovely towels, good temperature control. Front desk was very friendly and courteous. My only complaint is that there are not enough valets to fetch cars, especially considering the very steep price- plus tips of course, ...

Reviewed on Mar 22, 2026

Cambria Hotel Portland - Pearl District
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland

4 out of 5
1000 NE Multnomah Street Portland OR
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ￥18,268 per night from Apr 17 to Apr 18
￥18,268
￥21,294 total
Apr 17 - Apr 18
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Portland. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,005 reviews)
Great room and service

Reviewed on Mar 22, 2026

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland
The Duniway Portland A Hilton Hotel

The Duniway Portland A Hilton Hotel

4.5 out of 5
545 SW Taylor St Portland OR
The price is ￥21,115 per night from Mar 29 to Mar 30
￥21,115
￥24,494 total
Mar 29 - Mar 30
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Portland. Enjoy a rooftop terrace, a 24-hour fitness center, and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
Staff was great and super friendly. My complaints are that the room was not super clean. The bathroom sink was filthy, and you could see water stains on the shower from previous use. A lot of the walls had noticeable paint chips and the bed frames were extremely worn out and pealing. Also, although ...

Reviewed on Mar 10, 2026

The Duniway Portland A Hilton Hotel
The Porter Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton

The Porter Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton

4.5 out of 5
1355 SW 2nd Ave. Portland OR
The price is ￥19,625 per night from Apr 12 to Apr 13
￥19,625
￥22,765 total
Apr 12 - Apr 13
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Portland. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,459 reviews)
Clean room

Reviewed on Mar 22, 2026

The Porter Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton
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Other neighborhoods around Sylvan-Highlands

About 30 minutes east of Portland on Hwy 84 are a number of waterfalls, none more visible or famous than Multnomah. Hardly hidden but a gem nonetheless.

Goose Hollow

4.5/5(276 area reviews)

If you're spending time in Goose Hollow, check out sights like Providence Park or Makah Cultural and Research Center and hop on the metro to see more the city at Goose Hollow-SW Jefferson Street Station or Kings Hill-SW Salmon Street Station.

Goose Hollow
Aerial drone view of Northwest Portland, Oregon, showing Forest Park, Nob Hill, and Willamette Heights with greenery, homes, and industrial areas along the Willamette River

Nob Hill

While you're in Nob Hill, take in top sights like Trevett-Nunn House or Mission Theater, and hop on the metro to see more the city at NW 23rd & Marshall Stop or NW Lovejoy & 22nd Stop.

Nob Hill
Nob Hill showing signage and outdoor eating as well as a small group of people

Alphabet Historic District

4.5/5(136 area reviews)

Consider a visit to Trevett-Nunn House and take some time to enjoy the abundant dining options during your time in Alphabet Historic District. If you want to see more of the city, jump on the metro at NW Lovejoy & 18th Stop or NW Lovejoy & 21st Stop.

Alphabet Historic District
Relaxing afternoon by the waterfront in downtown Portland with views of boats and the city skyline

Downtown Portland

4.5/5(4,501 area reviews)

Explore the Portland Art Museum, Oregon Historical Society, and Tom McCall Waterfront Park in this central business district with high-rise buildings. Enjoy walkable streets, and easily access public transportation like MAX light rail and Portland Streetcar.

Downtown Portland
Pearl District which includes outdoor art

Pearl District

4.5/5(527 area reviews)

Discover art galleries like Elizabeth Leach Gallery, dine at diverse restaurants, and unwind in public plazas such as Jamison Square. Easily navigate with the Portland Streetcar and explore nearby iconic Powell's City of Books.

Pearl District
Sunrise from the upper tram terminal at Oregon Health Science University. Timing is everything in photography. I have waited a year to get the right timing and weather for this shot. For those fortunate enough to ride the tram daily this is a common sight. Mount Hood in the background.

Southwest Portland

Downtown Portland boasts cultural, educational, and retail hotspots, with attractions like Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Portland Art Museum, and Pioneer Place mall. Enjoy pedestrian-friendly streets and unique residential areas in Southwest Portland.

Southwest Portland

Sylvan-Highlands, OR