Day 1 looked surprisingly good for the Illinois High School Association #IHSA state finals for bass fishing at Lake Shelbyville. #bassfishing #highschoolfishing #youthfishing Lake Shelbyville #largemouthbass First IHSA bass fishing finals at Shelbyville comes out of the fog strong chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/2025/…

Beautiful morning for takeoff, final day for the first time the IHSA state finals for bass fishing on Lake Shelbyville. Forecast later today looks iffy, but we'll see. #bassfishing #highschoolfishing #youthfishing Lake Shelbyville Illinois High School Association #IHSA

Notes package with help of readers and those who know. #wildturkeys @suburbanwildlife #Chicagooutdoors #Chicagofishing #flatheadcatfish #cottonwoodfluff #bigfish Chicago outdoors: Cottonwood fluff, suburban turkey, FOTW flathead, Wolf Lake family event chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/2025/…

With Phil Willink, I'm talking about Fishes of the Chicago Region on Reset from 12:40 to 1:00 p.m. today on WBEZ-FM 91.5. #Chicagofishing #Chicagooutdoors WBEZ

1st time in 30 years that I've been to Wrigley. Much has changed. Now I just like to see some magic from PCA.

Sunday column on an innovative approach to restoration. #alpacas #landrestoration #llamas #Chicagooutdoors Grazing critters aid woods restoration at Chain O'Lakes State Park chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/2025/…

Notes package with help from readers and those who know. #crappiefishing #Chicagooutdoors #Chicagofishing #urbanwildlife Chicago outdoors: Chicago crappie for FOTW and deer in Beverly chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/2025/…

Passing through a place other than what I know usually. Had to take a picture of these signs coming back from building a Taj Mahal of a deer blind in Pennsylvania. This was just across the border in New York on our way home.

Stepping out again. Haven't been to Facets in decades. No idea what to expect tonight with "Mates for Life."

Taking a look at "Mates for Life: Whooping Crane." #conservation #whoopingcranes #artandnature #nature #art #ballet The Joffrey Ballet Using ballet as a conservation tool chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/2025/…

It's going to be HOT today but there are nature centers, museums, historic homes & other spots that you can visit today & on other challenging days to soak up nature/experience some art/history/simply cool off. My article offers 20+ great destinations. tinyurl.com/bddbudy9

Notes package with help from readers & those who know. #yellowperch #perchfishing #mulberries #Chicagooutdoors #Chicagofishing #Chicagolakefront #salmonfishing #troutfishing Chicago outdoors: Jumbo perch, mulberry-time and five salmon/trout species day chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/2025/…

Sunday column on fishing and visiting Lake Shelbyville. #fishing #Illinoisfishing Lake Shelbyville #crappiefishing #muskiefishing #fishhabitats Checking in on Lake Shelbyville chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/2025/…

Monthly I drive for the Center for Food Equity in Medicine from Flossmoor Community Church. Saturday CFEM had a fundraiser. I bought bread, soups & Swap Chicken, a plant-based alternative. Tonight my inadvertently blackened fillets made a wonderful sandwich with Tabasco & mayo.

Somebody worked fast. Got to the game early and spotted it at the underpass just west of Sox Park as I wandered the neighborhood beforehand. We'll see if we need divine intervention for the weather.

Notes package with help from readers & those who know. #indigobunting #muskiefishing #muskyfishing #Chicagooutdoors #velvetbucks #raspberries WillCoForestPreserve Chicago outdoors: Des Plaines muskie, indigo bunting, velvet buck, Will Co. purchase & raspberries chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/2025/…

Scientific names matter. I know the flowers behind Karyn as trumpet vine. To her, they're campus vine. My late mother-in-law called them outhouse flowers. That's old country.. We're at Allerton Park for an anniversary weekend and this is at Fu Dog Garden.

Sunday column on chasing a different fish (#burbot) deep on #LakeMichigan. #reefs #Illinoisfishing #eelpout #reeffishing Figuring how to target burbot on Illinois' reefs in Lake Michigan chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/2025/…

Notes package with help from readers and those who know. #largemouthbass #northernpike #Chicagooutdoors #Chicagofishing #redtailedhawk #velvetbuck #spiders #GrantPark Chicago outdoors: Bass on pike, Grant Park redtail, a velvet buck & a working spider chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/2025/…

Sunday column on suckers migrating to and from Lake Michigan. #longnosesuckers #whitesuckers #fishresearch Shedd Aquarium Tracking longnose suckers to add knowledge and answer some questions chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/2025/…