RARE PHOTOS: 3 | Vintage Vibes

Chicago outdoors: Muskie caught to “Thriller,” fox kits, old loons, hunter safety

A muskie caught to a band on shore doing “Thriller,” fox kits in the suburbs, one of the oldest common loons reappears and a question on hunter safety classes are among the notes from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jun 24, 2023

Walleye, yellow bullhead and changes/challenges of the Chicago Area Waterway System

Yellow bullheads, walleye, common carp and gizzard shad are some of the indicators of the changes and challenges of the recovering Chicago Area Waterway System since the Clean Water Act.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jun 23, 2023

Chicago outdoors: Town-owning sandhills, Huck Finn catfish, Michigan moose, waterfowl mounts

Sandhill cranes that walk around like they own the town, a count of moose in the Michigan UP, a note of the big catfish in Huckleberry Finn and a question on waterfowl mounts are among the notes from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jun 17, 2023

Chicago outdoors: Here come the cicadas

Reports of early periodical cicadas, including an understatement on them, a mailbag item about sightings of hummingbirds and orioles, and the standing world-record bowfin are among the notes from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jun 3, 2023

Openlands’ Jerry Adelmann follows long journey while staying close to his roots

Adelmann will retire from his position as president and CEO of the urban conservation organization.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jun 2, 2023

Ping Tom Memorial Park gets boon with return of kayak rentals

REI’s reopening of kayak rental and the boathouse at Ping Tom Memorial Park, after three years of closure, gave a chance to explore the unique Chicago park from land and the South Branch of the Chicago River.

Chicago Sun-Times · May 31, 2023

Chicago outdoors: Avian predators on the move

Murderous crows in the north suburbs, a smelt parade and party in Duluth, Minnesota, Illlinois’ spring turkey harvest and a Cooper’s hawk feeding are among the notes from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.

Chicago Sun-Times · May 27, 2023

Power of the outdoors, post-pandemic, and a gorgeous Memorial Day weekend

The pandemic bump in outdoor pursuits continues and will likely show up on a Memorial Day predicted to have nearly perfect weather.

Chicago Sun-Times · May 26, 2023

Chicago outdoors: Chicago wood duck taking flight, boat-tailed grackle, morel season recap

A photo of a wood duck drake taking flight in Chicago, fun facts while going down a rabbit hole on boat-tailed grackles and an overview of the season for morel mushrooms this spring around Chicago are among the notes from around Chicago outoors and beyond.

Chicago Sun-Times · May 20, 2023

Butler Lake gives extra education for Libertyville high schoolers

The inaugural Libertyville High School Lake Day at Butler Lake showed great promise in collaboration with the Lake County Health Department.

Chicago Sun-Times · May 19, 2023