Dale Bowman

After a nearly 30-year run delighting readers at the Sun-Times, it's time to say goodbye.

Two projects by Naperville-based The Conservation Foundation — Dayton Bluffs Preserve and Belrose Farm — on the lower Fox River give a strong glimpse of the past and the future.

The last week or so brought sharp reminders of the wonder of Chicago fishing in the fall — from the big ones to the odd ones to the beautiful surprises.

A photo of a beautiful buck brings a reminder of the rut nearing, Illinois trout season opens on Oct. 18 but stocking is delayed and a big freshwater drum earning Fish of the Week honors are among the notes from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.

It's time for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to adjust to climate change and move fall trout dates later. Illinois' trout season will open as scheduled on Oct. 18, but stocking will be delayed because of the hot fall.

Paul Vriend's photo of a northern flicker in flight, a tale of a Chinook salmon caught while sailing and, as requested, the return of the Stray Cast are among the notes from around the Chicago outdoors and beyond.

Erik Brztowski led a fulfilling day and night chasing lake sturgeon on the Wisconsin River. It ended with not only my personal-best sturgeon, but my PB freshwater fish, as well.

Birding from atop the climbing wall at Steelworkers Park was quite the way to kick off the Urban Birding Festival last weekend.

Darryl Turner with a big blue catfish from LaSalle Lake, a walkingstick in northwest Indiana and a question about a walking leaf are among the notes from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.

Changes in the natural world have come and more are on the way around the unnatural world of Big Marsh, Indian Ridge Marsh and Square Marsh.