Dale Bowman
@bowmanoutside.bsky.social
Former outdoors columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times.
Excellent ending to a serious all-day conference on restoration & conservation, Wild Things 2026, first time Downstate in O'Fallon. Biologist Tony Gerard ended the day with a half comedic/half serious examination on the worldwide phenomenon of Bigfoot. Something to mull on my 4 1/2-hour drive home.
January 31, 2026 at 11:52 PM
Excellent ending to a serious all-day conference on restoration & conservation, Wild Things 2026, first time Downstate in O'Fallon. Biologist Tony Gerard ended the day with a half comedic/half serious examination on the worldwide phenomenon of Bigfoot. Something to mull on my 4 1/2-hour drive home.
Joel Greenberg, Tom Schrader & I tried to spot a golden eagle today. Even without,we had a great time. Here's 2 of the 300 bald eagles we saw in NW Illinois; 250, came at Lock & Dam 13 on the Mississippi. Along the way, we saw a rough-legged hawk & a coyote walking the frozen Mississippi.
January 30, 2026 at 2:40 AM
Joel Greenberg, Tom Schrader & I tried to spot a golden eagle today. Even without,we had a great time. Here's 2 of the 300 bald eagles we saw in NW Illinois; 250, came at Lock & Dam 13 on the Mississippi. Along the way, we saw a rough-legged hawk & a coyote walking the frozen Mississippi.
Sun-Times Metro editor and I eat lunch around the city every couple months. Today was Peach's, corner of 47th and MLK. I had catfish fillets, like freaking butter so soft and perfectly cooked, greens and cheesy grits. Saji went shrimp and cheesy grits. We shared duck bacon. That's right duck bacon.
January 28, 2026 at 9:13 PM
Sun-Times Metro editor and I eat lunch around the city every couple months. Today was Peach's, corner of 47th and MLK. I had catfish fillets, like freaking butter so soft and perfectly cooked, greens and cheesy grits. Saji went shrimp and cheesy grits. We shared duck bacon. That's right duck bacon.
Love the new marketing that TightRope finished just in time for the Chicagoland Fishing Expo in Schaumburg. Try to find the Play Pen in the collage. It feels different to be here not to write, but just to wander around, buy a few things and talk to a ton of people.
January 22, 2026 at 11:55 PM
Love the new marketing that TightRope finished just in time for the Chicagoland Fishing Expo in Schaumburg. Try to find the Play Pen in the collage. It feels different to be here not to write, but just to wander around, buy a few things and talk to a ton of people.
We need more whimsy like this in our museums (and lives). We're at the Baltimore Museum of Art.
January 18, 2026 at 5:15 PM
We need more whimsy like this in our museums (and lives). We're at the Baltimore Museum of Art.
In Baltimore on the first leg of our long Edgar Allan Poe weekend. On a tour at the graveyard of Poe's final resting spot, after several moves. He gives special meaning to it's complicated.
January 17, 2026 at 6:55 PM
In Baltimore on the first leg of our long Edgar Allan Poe weekend. On a tour at the graveyard of Poe's final resting spot, after several moves. He gives special meaning to it's complicated.
Finally made it to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for the first time. Good Lord, we should have allotted a lot more time. You literally could spend the whole day here. I'm determined to find the Warren Zevon exhibit before we go.
January 16, 2026 at 3:48 PM
Finally made it to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for the first time. Good Lord, we should have allotted a lot more time. You literally could spend the whole day here. I'm determined to find the Warren Zevon exhibit before we go.
Capt. Ernesto (Thin Blue Line Fishing) & I double at Riverside Fishing Club tonight. His brother Leo Garza, (14.3-pound lakefront walleye), may also show. Meeting begins 6:45 p.m., Ernesto after 7, me around 8. My topics include lakefront, perch & Fox River dams. Berwyn Moose Lodge, 3625 S. Harlem.
January 8, 2026 at 2:44 PM
Capt. Ernesto (Thin Blue Line Fishing) & I double at Riverside Fishing Club tonight. His brother Leo Garza, (14.3-pound lakefront walleye), may also show. Meeting begins 6:45 p.m., Ernesto after 7, me around 8. My topics include lakefront, perch & Fox River dams. Berwyn Moose Lodge, 3625 S. Harlem.
I'll kick off Wilderness Wednesday for the Illinois Extension Service at 6:00 tonight. I'll be talking about public wild spaces along the Kankakee River basin. It's free but you need the zoom link, so register at illinois.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
January 7, 2026 at 2:53 PM
I'll kick off Wilderness Wednesday for the Illinois Extension Service at 6:00 tonight. I'll be talking about public wild spaces along the Kankakee River basin. It's free but you need the zoom link, so register at illinois.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Made Garfield Park Conservatory just in time for the last day of the winter flower show. We took the photo here so that we had Dale Chihuly's glass lilies in the background. I'm never sure what I think of the glass lilies.
January 4, 2026 at 8:11 PM
Made Garfield Park Conservatory just in time for the last day of the winter flower show. We took the photo here so that we had Dale Chihuly's glass lilies in the background. I'm never sure what I think of the glass lilies.
We did our First Day Hike at Walnut Point State Park. First time I've been there so I knocked one more IDNR site off my list to hit them all. We had the place to ourselves. I had to chuckle about the name since I didn't notice any walnuts, but saw plenty of shagbark hickory and white oak.
January 1, 2026 at 7:05 PM
We did our First Day Hike at Walnut Point State Park. First time I've been there so I knocked one more IDNR site off my list to hit them all. We had the place to ourselves. I had to chuckle about the name since I didn't notice any walnuts, but saw plenty of shagbark hickory and white oak.
My favorite service of the year, the Christmas Eve candlelight service at Flossmoor Community Church. With four adult children, it's special when everyone's together.
December 25, 2025 at 5:33 AM
My favorite service of the year, the Christmas Eve candlelight service at Flossmoor Community Church. With four adult children, it's special when everyone's together.
I finally drew a permit for Saybrook Pheasant Habitat Area Thursday. Despite wind & rain, we rousted a two dozen pheasants (got 2) before heavy rain ended it. After slogging through wind, rain, leftover snow and thick habitat for 3 1/2 miles, we earned a good feed at Blue Star Cafe in Gibson City.
December 21, 2025 at 3:27 PM
I finally drew a permit for Saybrook Pheasant Habitat Area Thursday. Despite wind & rain, we rousted a two dozen pheasants (got 2) before heavy rain ended it. After slogging through wind, rain, leftover snow and thick habitat for 3 1/2 miles, we earned a good feed at Blue Star Cafe in Gibson City.
Had a wonderful time this afternoon hiking 3 miles around Montrose harbor and the bird sanctuary with Bob Mazzoni, who most frequently edited my outdoors column for the Sun-Times. We talked history and life. I took my usual photo because it looks different every time from the harbor's south side.
December 15, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Had a wonderful time this afternoon hiking 3 miles around Montrose harbor and the bird sanctuary with Bob Mazzoni, who most frequently edited my outdoors column for the Sun-Times. We talked history and life. I took my usual photo because it looks different every time from the harbor's south side.
Well I think the inaugural meeting of the Chicago West Green Drinks went well with Alex Parker of the Green Beer Project. Fascinating topic on the impact climate change is having on beer. Yes I am having fun with my newfound time.
December 9, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Well I think the inaugural meeting of the Chicago West Green Drinks went well with Alex Parker of the Green Beer Project. Fascinating topic on the impact climate change is having on beer. Yes I am having fun with my newfound time.
Dawn popped the remaining color at Allerton on my morning ramble. The multitude of oaks helps with late color and also explains the 40 to 50 gray squirrels I saw on my two-mile ramble. The topper was two pileated woodpeckers, stunningly not making any noise, when I finished at the mansion.
November 16, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Dawn popped the remaining color at Allerton on my morning ramble. The multitude of oaks helps with late color and also explains the 40 to 50 gray squirrels I saw on my two-mile ramble. The topper was two pileated woodpeckers, stunningly not making any noise, when I finished at the mansion.
Karyn and I broke up the drive to my youngest niece's wedding tomorrow by stopping at Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater over Bear Run just before dark today. Highly recommend it.
November 8, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Karyn and I broke up the drive to my youngest niece's wedding tomorrow by stopping at Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater over Bear Run just before dark today. Highly recommend it.
Orion the Hunter dominated the sky as I walked out before dawn bowhunting deer not far from Cherry Springs in Pennsylvania, one of the best night sky spots east of the Mississippi. Okay, I like the symbolic nature of Orion the Hunter dominating the sky as I go out to the blind.
November 3, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Orion the Hunter dominated the sky as I walked out before dawn bowhunting deer not far from Cherry Springs in Pennsylvania, one of the best night sky spots east of the Mississippi. Okay, I like the symbolic nature of Orion the Hunter dominating the sky as I go out to the blind.
One of the three ravens at one of my favorite rest stops, the Chautauqua rest area on I-86 across Southern New York. I-86 is just a gem of a drive. I usually try to time it so I can take a lunch break or a rest here. About to disappear for five days to bowhunt deer in the Pennsylvania Wilds.
November 1, 2025 at 6:39 PM
One of the three ravens at one of my favorite rest stops, the Chautauqua rest area on I-86 across Southern New York. I-86 is just a gem of a drive. I usually try to time it so I can take a lunch break or a rest here. About to disappear for five days to bowhunt deer in the Pennsylvania Wilds.
When all four kids were home we had as many as 10 or 12 around the dining room table on Halloween night for Blood and Guts. Karyn would make three pans. Tonight, we barely dented the one pan she made. Time moves on. Good to see other parents out with kids tonight at our new home in Homewood.
November 1, 2025 at 12:51 AM
When all four kids were home we had as many as 10 or 12 around the dining room table on Halloween night for Blood and Guts. Karyn would make three pans. Tonight, we barely dented the one pan she made. Time moves on. Good to see other parents out with kids tonight at our new home in Homewood.
I've a place in my heart for Fish Tales, first place I spoke after my triple bypass. Tonight Oct. 16, I return. Meeting starts at 7, Worth Township Building, 1601 S. Pulaski Ave., Alsip. Speakers start 7:30/7:45. I'm talking perch, taking questions and have an interactive topic. Not me in photo.
October 16, 2025 at 10:16 PM
I've a place in my heart for Fish Tales, first place I spoke after my triple bypass. Tonight Oct. 16, I return. Meeting starts at 7, Worth Township Building, 1601 S. Pulaski Ave., Alsip. Speakers start 7:30/7:45. I'm talking perch, taking questions and have an interactive topic. Not me in photo.
I still find it notable to spot pelicans in our area even though it's been going on for a couple decades now. These were sitting at dawn this morning at the wide waters on the Illinois River.
October 10, 2025 at 12:11 PM
I still find it notable to spot pelicans in our area even though it's been going on for a couple decades now. These were sitting at dawn this morning at the wide waters on the Illinois River.
All my brothers and I are having a gathering in Virginia. Today we did a nice section of Skyline Drive. Some of us hiked to Dark Hollow Falls, a spot I love. The steep descent and ascent reminded me the years are piling up.
September 19, 2025 at 11:26 PM
All my brothers and I are having a gathering in Virginia. Today we did a nice section of Skyline Drive. Some of us hiked to Dark Hollow Falls, a spot I love. The steep descent and ascent reminded me the years are piling up.
I took in one last Sox game, then enjoyed the downtown view one last time for the year. Heading over to speak at Southside Muskie Hawks at the Village Sportsmen's Club on 115th in Alsip at 7:00 p.m. That makes quite the day.
September 17, 2025 at 9:36 PM
I took in one last Sox game, then enjoyed the downtown view one last time for the year. Heading over to speak at Southside Muskie Hawks at the Village Sportsmen's Club on 115th in Alsip at 7:00 p.m. That makes quite the day.
Amber Sproul and steward Beckie Green showed me a white obedient plant while we worked this morning at Rock Creek Wildflower and Pollinator Area. First morning in my three years of working there that we started in dense fog as the sun rose. Beautiful morning with other good finds, too.
September 2, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Amber Sproul and steward Beckie Green showed me a white obedient plant while we worked this morning at Rock Creek Wildflower and Pollinator Area. First morning in my three years of working there that we started in dense fog as the sun rose. Beautiful morning with other good finds, too.