It was winter forever, cold and rainy. Then we had spring for about 4 days. And then 90 degrees!

Thankfully, Portland’s cool and shady Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge is a fantastic way to spend a warm Saturday afternoon. Dedicated to protecting and improving habitat for native plants and animals, it’s 168 acres of wetlands, meadows and woodlands and, amazingly, only a few minutes from downtown Portland.

We walked through Sellwood Park, past rhododendrons in full bloom.

and open fields with people playing baseball and frisbee,

then through a picnic area dense with evergreen trees

to a steep path.

Gorgeous.

At the bottom, Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge.

A beautiful meadow,

with a path

leading to the wetland,

just visible here through the branches of a young oak.

After all our rains, the wetland was full. There is a lot of water.

So beautiful.

With an alluring path along the edge.

If you’re lucky and walking with someone with a good eye, you might see a turtle.

Just visible on the fallen log.

Or a great blue heron.

A closer look.

The perfect way to spend a warm Saturday afternoon.

A big thank you to the people who worked to save this place for all of us to enjoy.

For more information about Oaks Bottom, check it out here.