Hummingbird, Wild of the Week: Chicago outdoors, Sunday notes

Led by Wild of the Week, Sunday notes from the Sun-Times outdoors page.

WILD OF THE WEEK

Emil Baumbach photographed the hummingbird above and emailed, “The coneflower with its sweet nectar attracts both butterflies and hummingbirds. It also has seeds that goldfinch and cardinals love. ‘’

Send WOTW nominations on Facebook (Dale Bowman), Twitter (@BowmanOutside) or by email (straycasts@sbcglobal.net).

WILD TIMES

HUNTER SAFETY

Oct. 10-11: Hoffman Estates, sportsmansed.com . . . Bolingbrook, willcohunt@aol.com

DUCKS UNLIMITED

Thursday: Lake Forest dinner, Onwentsia Club. Contact Steve Worth (847) 846-0259, Bryan Wiesner, (847) 226-9662

Thursday: North Shore Season Kick-Off, Little Ricky’s Rib Joint, Winnetka. Contact Peter Morris, (847) 867-7141; Scott Martin, (312) 961-2908

Saturday: Orland Park dinner, Orland Chateau. Contact Matthew Maple, (708) 822-4004; Vincent Maruszak, (773) 802-2210; Bob Borhauer; (708) 710-9200

FISH GATHERING

Friday: Bob Long Jr., Illinois Smallmouth Alliance, Bolingbrook Bass Pro, 7 p.m.

ILLINOIS PERMITS/SEASONS

Monday: Deadline, second lottery, public duck and goose hunting areas permits. Click here

Tuesday: Early Canada goose hunting ends

DALE’S MAILBAG

E: “I agree with the common sense of your Wednesday column and photos [on fees for Illinois public sites].’’ John McClelland, Evanston

M: “Every year the gov takes in new record tax amounts. Each year they complain they need more money. Maybe its time we get rid of the politicians in office. Just like fish, they begin to stink after being around to long.’’ Ronald Meister

A: We need to merge the divergent views to move forward on financing the public wild spaces in Illinois.

BIG NUMBER

2,800-plus: Sharks tagged in Coastal Shark Survey, most in its 29 years off the East Coast

LAST WORD

“Fall color is peeking through the last of summer’s green leaves.’’

Travel Wisconsin, on Wisconsin Fall Color Report (travelwisconsin.com/fall-color-report)