Sylvan-Highlands, OR

Portland

Golden Breasted Starling From the African Rainforest Aviary.
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.

Popular places to visit

Visitors enjoy a sunny day at Oregon Zoo in Portland with family and friends exploring the lush surroundings

Oregon Zoo

Awesome beasts native to America have a home alongside exotic and endangered species from around the world at this picturesque Portland attraction.

Oregon Zoo
Portland Children\'s Museum showing signage

Portland Children's Museum

Kids and adults can enjoy the interactive exhibits of this museum, which encourages creativity, exploration, imagination and expression.

Portland Children's Museum
So much #Green for March. Awesome trails throughout the Hoyt Arboretum made for a fantastic day. Best city park I've ever seen.

Hoyt Arboretum

Enjoy a stop at Hoyt Arboretum, an entertaining place to visit in Portland. Discover the area's top-notch restaurants and its acclaimed art scene.

Hoyt Arboretum
World Forestry Center featuring signage

World Forestry Center

Get insights into all aspects of forests and trees, learning how they grow and how they are used around the world.

World Forestry Center
Moda Center

Moda Center

See sporting teams do battle and rock out to musical legends at one of Portland’s major venues for sports and big-ticket entertainment events.

Moda Center
Aerial View of Portland Cityscape with Solar Panels and Highway

Oregon Convention Center

Learn about the events happening at Oregon Convention Center during your trip to Portland. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.

Oregon Convention Center

Sylvan-Highlands Hotel Deals

Park Lane Suites and Inn

Park Lane Suites and Inn

2.5 out of 5
809 SW King Avenue Portland OR
The price is NT$3,026 per night from Feb 19 to Feb 20
NT$3,026
NT$3,510 total
Feb 19 - Feb 20
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. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,631 reviews)
Room was the cleanest I have been in a long time. Good job.

Reviewed on 2026/2/17

Park Lane Suites and Inn
The Paramount Hotel

The Paramount Hotel

3.5 out of 5
808 SW Taylor St Portland OR
The price is NT$2,946 per night from Feb 22 to Feb 23
NT$2,946
NT$3,434 total
Feb 22 - Feb 23
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! (3,211 reviews)
Clean, good location, nice staff!

Reviewed on 2026/2/18

The Paramount Hotel
Radisson Hotel Portland Airport

Radisson Hotel Portland Airport

3.5 out of 5
6233 NE 78th Court Portland OR
The price is NT$3,148 per night from Mar 10 to Mar 11
NT$3,148
NT$3,809 total
Mar 10 - Mar 11
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this golf hotel in Portland. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,996 reviews)
The staff were awesome, rooms are always great, we stayed at this hotel every time we come to Vancouver! Shuttle service is so easy to do, driver is always great!

Reviewed on 2026/2/17

Radisson Hotel Portland Airport
Embassy Suites by Hilton Portland Downtown

Embassy Suites by Hilton Portland Downtown

4 out of 5
319 SW Pine St Portland OR
The price is NT$3,711 per night from Mar 1 to Mar 2
NT$3,711
NT$4,391 total
Mar 1 - Mar 2
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Portland. Enjoy free breakfast, 2 restaurants, and 2 hot tubs. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,425 reviews)
Forgot to fill shampoo. But otherwise it was a clean and nice room. Will be back.

Reviewed on 2026/2/17

Embassy Suites by Hilton Portland Downtown
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland

4 out of 5
1000 NE Multnomah Street Portland OR
The price is NT$3,720 per night from Feb 20 to Feb 21
NT$3,720
NT$4,337 total
Feb 20 - Feb 21
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! (1,002 reviews)
First night, the front desk staff wasn’t friendly. This hotel has no free breakfast.

Reviewed on 2026/2/13

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland
Heathman Lodge

Heathman Lodge

3.5 out of 5
7801 NE Greenwood Dr Vancouver WA
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Vancouver. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,640 reviews)
Yes room was clean and space. Staff was very nice and courteous. We will stay again.

Reviewed on 2026/2/17

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Heathman Lodge
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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(275 area reviews)

If you're spending time in Goose Hollow, check out sights like Providence Park or Artists Repertory Theatre 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(4,488 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