Paul Schroeder sent this “Joliet Puffer” for Mushroom of the Week.

A big puffer from the Joliet area earns Mushroom of the Week honors.

Resized/Sun-Times — A “puffer” from the Joliet area earns Mushroom of the Week.

Paul Schroeder sent this “Joliet puffer’’ for Mushroom of the Week.

“This was from [late September], about the size of a basketball at that time,’’ he emailed. “It shows up at nearly the same spot every year. An additional one is nearby of similar size.’’

MOTW, the celebration of mushroom gathering (the stories matter) around Chicago outdoors, runs Wednesdays in the Sun-Times as warranted. Submit nominations by message on Facebook (Dale Bowman), on Twitter and Instagram (@BowmanOutside) or email (BowmanOutside@gmail.com).

Next Up In Outdoors

High hopes for Heidecke Lake fishing: Prospects look good for the season, despite a brutal opener

Chicago fishing, Midwest Fishing Report: Hoping on a warm-up, coho, smallmouth, browns, steelhead

A little help from friends on bagging first spring gobbler leads to Turkey of the Week

An old favorite of the Chicago River, the common carp, still have ‘Big Shoulders’ downtown

Chicago outdoors: Frog sounds question, inquisitive mink, early hummingbird, big Shabbona walleye

Rare wild turkey sightings along lakefront come to a tragic end

Joliet Puffer: Mushroom of the Week

A big puffer from the Joliet area earns Mushroom of the Week honors.