Chicago outoors: Great egret detail, IL lake sturgeon, Bassmaster’s 1st “Million Dollar Man”
A greeat egret in flight, as photographed in detail.
Paul Vriend
Bowman’s outdoor notes for Nov. 18, 2023. WOTW photo attached
Notes from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.
WILD OF THE WEEK
Paul Vriend emailed the photo above, noting, “Here’s a good look at the wing-bone structure of a great egret flying towards the camera.” The photo was taken at Highland Heron Rookery in Indiana.
WOTW, the celebration of wild stories and photos around Chicago outdoors, runs most weeks in the special two-page outdoors section in the Sun-Times Sports Saturday. To make submissions, email BowmanOutside@gmail.com or contact me on Facebook (Dale Bowman), Twitter (@BowmanOutside), Instagram (@BowmanOutside). or Bluesky (@@BowmanOutside).
BIG NUMBER
4,600: Young lake sturgeon tagged earlier this month at the Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery. They will stocked in the Illinois River and its tributaries. Lake sturgeon are endangered in Illinois.
LAST WORD
“There is absolutely nothing in this world that I would trade for my career in professional tournament fishing, This entire journey — from being in Bassmaster Magazine for exposure, to being on television on TNN, to where the sport is today — has been truly amazing.
“I’ve had the chance to educate fans and anglers across every state in the United States except for one in my time and (have) also been to Japan three times, which is really cool to say.”
Larry Nixon, Bassmaster’s first “Million Dollar Man,” on retiring from competitive fishing
WILD TIMES
ILLINOIS SEASONS
Sunday, Nov. 19: First season, firearm deer season, ends
BIRDING
Today, Nov. 18: Openlands’ bird walk commemorating the 10th anniversary of Birds in the My Neighborhood program, openlands.org/event/birds-in-my-neighborhood-10-year-anniversary-bird-walk/. The program needs volunteers to work with students, more at openlands.org/programs/birds-in-my-neighborhood/.
ILLUMINATION
Today, Nov. 18: Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum, it runs through Jan. 6. Electric Illumination – an 18-and-older late-night experience – will feature a new curated disco and house music soundtrack from 9:30 to 11 p.m. Fridays, Dec. 8, 15 and 22; and an ’80s music-themed dance party Dec. 29, featuring hits from Prince, Whitney Houston, Diana Ross, Journey, Madonna, Talking Heads and more. For tickets, go to mortonarb.org and in-person at the Arboretum Visitor Center during operating hours. Pricing begins at $18.