A white-winged crossbill eruption, a good early shed, Steven Wright fishing with Salvador Dali, and fish nurseries at Lake Shabbona are among the notes of Chicago Away and Beyond.

Ratings come from all around Chicago outside and beyond.

SHED OF THE WEEK

Sue Kubinski found the “nice early shack” at the top near Ottawa on Sunday.

SOTW, an occasional note on the shed woods found around Chicago outdoors, is published when worth it, usually in the special two-page outdoors section of the Sun-Times Sports Saturday. To make quotes, send an email [email protected] or contact me on Facebook (Dale Bowman), Twitter (@BowmanOutside) or Instagram (@BowmanOutside).

DALE COURIER BAG

“Another boreal eruption has occurred in our region over the past few weeks. The beautiful white-winged crossbill has appeared in Cook County and surrounding areas. Their crossed beak is particularly suited to opening spruce and tamarack cones. The bird in this photo is holding a cone in one foot and watching another group nearby. This photo was taken at Afton Forest Preserve in DeKalb.

Emile Baumbach

A: Baumbach doesn’t take wonderful photos of birds, but puts them in a bigger perspective.

WILD TIME

HUNTER SAFETY

Thursday-Friday February 24-25: Chicago, carryinillinois.com/hunter-safety-course

March 12-13: Bridgeview, (708) 594-1818. . . Diamond, (815) 907-7345. . . Morris, (815) 942-6644

UNLIMITED DUCKS

Friday, February 25: West Suburban Dinner, Crystal Sky Banquets, McCook

US COAST GUARD AUXILIARY

Wednesday February 23: Boat America, Des Plaines, G. Haase, [email protected]

BIRDS

Until Monday, February 21: Great backyard bird count

WINTER FAMILY

Next Saturday, February 26: Polar Adventure Days, North Island

SHOW TIME

Click here for the complete list of shows, classes and exchange meetings for the coming months.

Today, February 19: Midwest Musky Club Swap Meet, Village Sportsman’s Club, Alsip

Until Sunday February 20: Chicago RV & Camping Show, Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont

Until Sunday 20 and 23-27 February: Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show, Indiana State Fairgrounds

Until Sunday February 20: Chicago Travel and Adventure Show, Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont

Next Saturday, February 26: Unlimited Salmon Swap Meet, River Grove Moose Lodge

Next Saturday, February 26: Fish Tales and Hoosier Coho Club Fishing Tackle Sale Outdoor Show / Mutual Meeting, Orak Sanctuary. Michigan City, Ind.

February 26-27: Fish-On: Portage Fishing and Outdoor Show, Woodland Park, Portage, Ind.

ICE FISHING

Sunday February 20: North American Ice Fishing Tour, Channel and Catherine Lakes, Musky Tales, until 2 p.m. https://www.naifc.com/events/8.

Rich McElligott

LARGE NUMBER

ten: The fish nurseries built, using old Illinois Department of Transportation sign posts, by the Shabbona Lake Sportsman Club three years ago were finally put in place this month.

LAST WORD

“Last year I went fishing with Salvador Dali. He used a dotted line. He caught all the other fish.

Actor Steven Wrightvia brainyquote.com