Chicago outdoors: The mystery of white opossums
Notes come from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.
WILD OF THE WEEK
Martha Brynda emailed a cool photo and question. "For several months we've had three white opossums (small, medium and large) coming to our patio in Lake Villa. Curious if they are rare, and surprised they come out during the day—thought they were nocturnal. We also have several `normal grey' opossums, but the white ones are unique and new to us. And they peacefully co-exist with our other outside visitors."
Her question interested me enough that I reached out to Stefanie Fitzsimons, district wildlife biologist. Oddly enough, the last time I had another white opossum question, it was in Fitzsimons' district. "It must be in the genetics for the pack there," Fitzsimons messaged. "Very interesting because albinism and leucism would be every once in a while. This sounds like a color phase that has been embedded on the group."
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 Sunday. To make submissions, email BowmanOutside@gmail.com or contact me on Facebook (Dale Bowman), Twitter (@BowmanOutside), Instagram (@BowmanOutside). or Bluesky (@Bowmanoutside).
WILD TIMES
FISH GATHERING
Tuesday, Jan. 21: Todd Tod on ice fishing, Arlington Anglers, Poplar Creek Banquets, Hoffman Estates, 6:30 p.m.
ILLINOIS SEASONS
Sunday, Jan. 19: Final day, second part, late-winter antlerless-only/CWD deer seasons
Sunday, Jan. 19: Final day, archery season deer and turkey seasons
SHOWTIME
Today, Jan. 18: Musky Swap Meet, Quad County Hawg Hunters chapter of Muskies, Inc., St. Charles Moose Lodge, doors open 6 p.m.
Through Sunday, Jan. 19: Final day, Muskie Expo Chicago, Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles
Through Sunday, Jan. 19: Final day, Rockford RV, Camping & Travel Show, Indoor Sports Center, Loves Park
Through Sunday, Jan. 19: Final day, Bedford Sales & Outdoors Open House, Morris
Thursday-next Sunday, Jan. 23-26: Chicagoland Fishing Expo, Schaumburg Convention Center
Next weekend, Jan. 25-26: Spring Lake Izaak Walton Outdoor Show, Hobart, Ind., Jeff (219) 406-7248
The master list of outdoors shows, classes, swap meets and major ice fishing events are https://chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/2024/11/28/outdoors-shows-master-list-for-2025-around-chicago-and-beyond
HUNTER SAFETY
Feb. 8-9: Wilmington, https://islandparkdistrict.activityreg.com/selectactivity_t2.wcs
March 15-16: Diamond, sign up at Diamond Indoor Trap RangeFull state listing at dnr2.illinois.gov/SafetyEd/SafetyEdClassByCounty
U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY
Jan. 27: Boat America, Northfield, Dan O'Connell, cgaux.doc@gmail.com