Robins feeding young grapes, an outdoors thought by Fran Lebowitz, a potential savings on Class TA trailers and the first fireflies are among the notes from around Chicago outdoors.

Robins feeding young grapes, an outdoors thought by Fran Lebowitz, a potential savings on Class TA trailers and the first fireflies of the year are among the notes from around Chicago outdoors.

By Dale Bowman

A robin feeding young grapes on Chicago’s Northside. Credit: Ron Wozny — A robin feeding young grapes on Chicago’s Northside.

Notes come from all around Chicago outdoors and beyond.

WILD OF THE WEEK

Ron Wozny sent another one of his classic bird photos from the Northside, this one of a robin feeding grapes to young.

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) or Instagram (@BowmanOutside).

WILD TIMES

WINGSHOOTING CLINICS

June 26-27: Elburn, (10-17 on 26th, girls and women on 27th), click here for details or contact scscwingshooting@gmail.com or (847) 309-1093

FISH GATHERING

Tuesday, June 15: Guide William Heim, “Summer Bass and Walleye Techniques,” Arlington Anglers, Poplar Creek Banquets, Hoffman Estates, 6:30 p.m., arlingtonanglers.com

ILLINOIS PERMITS/SEASONS

Tuesday, June 15: Bullfrog season begins

Wednesday, June 16: Perch season reopens on Lake Michigan

Friday, June 18, to June 21: Illinois Free Fishing Days, no licenses or stamps needed, other regulations apply

DALE’S MAILBAG

“Just saw a lightening bug in the back yard. The summer light show begins!” Paul Bleers on Tuesday evening

A: His email inspired me to check, but I came up empty on fireflies. Soon, very soon.

BIG NUMBER

$36 from $118: Reduction in the flat weight tax on Class TA trailers, under SB 58, which the General Assembly passed on May 31; a note of potential significance for those with boat trailers. Click here for details on SB 58.

LAST WORD

“To me the outdoors is what you must pass through in order to get from your apartment into a taxicab.”

Fran Lebowitz, via goodreads.com, perhaps explaining the difference between her life and Aldo Leopold’s

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

Chicago outdoors: Grapes of robin, Fran Lebowitz, Class TA trailers, first-of-the-year fireflies

Robins feeding young grapes, an outdoors thought by Fran Lebowitz, a potential savings on Class TA trailers and the first fireflies of the year are among the notes from around Chicago outdoors.