Pinned
Bob Dolgan
@twibchicago.com
· Apr 21
Thanks very much @neilsteinberg.bsky.social for featuring our birding outing in his column today. Getting out to some of the lesser-known mudflats in the Chicago suburbs was a ton of fun! What can you do in these times? Go birding. 🪶
Today's newsletter takes a look at the years the Army occupied Montrose Point, home to a command center for the missiles stored at Belmont Harbor. Due to outcry, shrubs were planted in front of the barracks, which became the Magic Hedge (portions visible today). www.twibchicago.com/p/the-army-s...
The Army settles in at Montrose Point
The Vietnam War was under way, but Nike missiles were fast becoming obsolete.
www.twibchicago.com
February 9, 2026 at 2:35 PM
Today's newsletter takes a look at the years the Army occupied Montrose Point, home to a command center for the missiles stored at Belmont Harbor. Due to outcry, shrubs were planted in front of the barracks, which became the Magic Hedge (portions visible today). www.twibchicago.com/p/the-army-s...
Possum kingdom here in the neighborhood. From early January.
February 7, 2026 at 9:49 PM
Possum kingdom here in the neighborhood. From early January.
In this house, these are the Seahawks we celebrate. 🪶
February 6, 2026 at 3:24 PM
In this house, these are the Seahawks we celebrate. 🪶
Reposted by Bob Dolgan
We’re excited to share today that the Newberry has received a $4 million grant from the Mellon Foundation to expand access to our Indigenous Studies collections and strengthen collaboration with tribal nations. www.newberry.org/news/newberr...
Newberry Library Receives $4 Million Grant
Funding will expand access to Indigenous collections, enable community-led research, and strengthen tribal partnerships.
www.newberry.org
February 3, 2026 at 5:42 PM
We’re excited to share today that the Newberry has received a $4 million grant from the Mellon Foundation to expand access to our Indigenous Studies collections and strengthen collaboration with tribal nations. www.newberry.org/news/newberr...
Shards of ice forming and cracking this morning on Lake Michigan. The north wind was pushing a sheet of ice into a big boulder along the jetty. Sound on 🔉 for some ASMR. #chicago
January 30, 2026 at 7:47 PM
Shards of ice forming and cracking this morning on Lake Michigan. The north wind was pushing a sheet of ice into a big boulder along the jetty. Sound on 🔉 for some ASMR. #chicago
There are a handful of ducks at the edge of Belmont Harbor where some water is still open. Goldeneye, scaup, and mergansers. In the snow this morning.
January 30, 2026 at 5:17 PM
There are a handful of ducks at the edge of Belmont Harbor where some water is still open. Goldeneye, scaup, and mergansers. In the snow this morning.
For the newsletter, I took a look at the construction of the Montrose-to-Foster extension in the early '30s and the drive to expand parks on Chicago's north lakefront. At the time, it was said Montrose Beach was the largest artificial bathing beach in the world.
www.twibchicago.com/p/how-montro...
www.twibchicago.com/p/how-montro...
When Montrose Point was for bathing
Expanded bathing beaches drove the public works project known as the Montrose-to-Foster extension.
www.twibchicago.com
January 26, 2026 at 2:47 PM
For the newsletter, I took a look at the construction of the Montrose-to-Foster extension in the early '30s and the drive to expand parks on Chicago's north lakefront. At the time, it was said Montrose Beach was the largest artificial bathing beach in the world.
www.twibchicago.com/p/how-montro...
www.twibchicago.com/p/how-montro...
Testing out my Sony macro lens in the snow today. The flowers from last summer are nicely catching the snowfall. I appreciate the subtle brown tones the lens picks up. 🌺 🌱 🪴
January 25, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Testing out my Sony macro lens in the snow today. The flowers from last summer are nicely catching the snowfall. I appreciate the subtle brown tones the lens picks up. 🌺 🌱 🪴
Today would have been the birthday of the late Hazel Johnson, the Altgeld Gardens resident known as the mother of the environmental justice movement. Ms. Johnson was the namesake of one of Monty & Rose's 2020 chicks (along with Esperanza and Nish). www.peopleforcommunityrecovery.org/our-story/le...
January 25, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Today would have been the birthday of the late Hazel Johnson, the Altgeld Gardens resident known as the mother of the environmental justice movement. Ms. Johnson was the namesake of one of Monty & Rose's 2020 chicks (along with Esperanza and Nish). www.peopleforcommunityrecovery.org/our-story/le...
There have been big flocks of robins--often more than 50 birds at a time--feasting on berries near Washington Square Park and the Newberry Library recently. I'm not sure I've seen so many in a very urban area of Chicago in winter. 🪶
January 22, 2026 at 2:13 AM
There have been big flocks of robins--often more than 50 birds at a time--feasting on berries near Washington Square Park and the Newberry Library recently. I'm not sure I've seen so many in a very urban area of Chicago in winter. 🪶
I’ll be teaching a class on bird behavior—using historic texts. It starts in April and runs four weeks, plus a field trip! Newberry.org
Registration for our Winter/Spring term of Adult Education is now open! The Newberry provides thought-provoking classes led by passionate, expert instructors. cc: @sjventurino.bsky.social @rogersparkman.bsky.social @dawnsardellaayres.bsky.social www.newberry.org/learn/adult-...
January 22, 2026 at 12:01 AM
I’ll be teaching a class on bird behavior—using historic texts. It starts in April and runs four weeks, plus a field trip! Newberry.org
Reposted by Bob Dolgan
From maps that become art to a rack of Rand McNally road maps, straight out of gas stations of yore, “Mapping Outside the Lines” covers a lot of ground.
Review: We can map that: Newberry Library exhibits 500-plus years of borders, folds and graticules
From maps that become art to a rack of Rand McNally road maps, straight out of gas stations of yore, “Mapping Outside the Lines” covers a lot of ground.
trib.al
January 20, 2026 at 11:00 PM
From maps that become art to a rack of Rand McNally road maps, straight out of gas stations of yore, “Mapping Outside the Lines” covers a lot of ground.
Wow, it's been a while since I updated this (around 2020)! Since then Montrose added Broad-winged Hawk, Mountain Bluebird, Short-tailed Shearwater, Pileated Woodpecker, Ferruginous Hawk, Eastern Screech-Owl, Gull-billed Tern, White-faced Ibis, and Cassin's Sparrow. 🪶
January 9, 2026 at 3:27 PM
Wow, it's been a while since I updated this (around 2020)! Since then Montrose added Broad-winged Hawk, Mountain Bluebird, Short-tailed Shearwater, Pileated Woodpecker, Ferruginous Hawk, Eastern Screech-Owl, Gull-billed Tern, White-faced Ibis, and Cassin's Sparrow. 🪶
Some of us may long for the day when birding becomes the professional equivalent of bass fishing.
www.twibchicago.com/p/what-is-a-...
www.twibchicago.com/p/what-is-a-...
What is a “professional” birdwatcher?
Plus, attend a class that gets Up Close and Personal with Birds
www.twibchicago.com
January 5, 2026 at 3:24 PM
Some of us may long for the day when birding becomes the professional equivalent of bass fishing.
www.twibchicago.com/p/what-is-a-...
www.twibchicago.com/p/what-is-a-...
One of my favorites was meeting Ken Burns in a back hallway of the US Capitol.
Right folks. Feeling rather down at the moment so bringing back an oldie
Please Quote this with your most minor celebrity interaction
Please Quote this with your most minor celebrity interaction
December 29, 2025 at 11:05 PM
One of my favorites was meeting Ken Burns in a back hallway of the US Capitol.
This year hasn't been about the rarest birds or the getting the best photos. Here's a brief look back!
www.twibchicago.com/p/six-birds-...
www.twibchicago.com/p/six-birds-...
December 29, 2025 at 3:41 PM
This year hasn't been about the rarest birds or the getting the best photos. Here's a brief look back!
www.twibchicago.com/p/six-birds-...
www.twibchicago.com/p/six-birds-...
How it started, how it’s going. First photo from a Christmas bird count two weeks ago (-1 F), second from this morning’s count (55 F and a downpour).
December 28, 2025 at 9:46 PM
How it started, how it’s going. First photo from a Christmas bird count two weeks ago (-1 F), second from this morning’s count (55 F and a downpour).
One of my avian highlights of the year, filming young Great Blue Herons in a nest in walking distance of home. Forgive the quality—filmed with an iPhone through a scope—birds were about 300’ away but a neat experience. 🪶
December 23, 2025 at 8:26 PM
One of my avian highlights of the year, filming young Great Blue Herons in a nest in walking distance of home. Forgive the quality—filmed with an iPhone through a scope—birds were about 300’ away but a neat experience. 🪶
A Cooper’s Hawk took out a Rock Pigeon on my street a few days ago. Murder bird! 🪶
December 13, 2025 at 12:09 AM
A Cooper’s Hawk took out a Rock Pigeon on my street a few days ago. Murder bird! 🪶
In addition to being a novelist, yes, he is a birder (as anyone who's read Freedom can attest)!
NEWS: The Newberry will honor Jonathan Franzen, acclaimed author and winner of the National Book Award, with its annual Newberry Library Award in recognition of Franzen's achievement in the humanities. The award celebration will take place on April 10 at the Drake.
www.newberry.org/news/jonatha...
www.newberry.org/news/jonatha...
Jonathan Franzen to Receive the Newberry Library Award
www.newberry.org
December 12, 2025 at 4:46 PM
In addition to being a novelist, yes, he is a birder (as anyone who's read Freedom can attest)!
Today's post is an appreciation of artist and Chicago icon Tony Fitzpatrick. Tony and I weren’t great friends, and I’ll be the first to say I didn’t really know him that well. I only benefited from his generosity and absorbing some of his world view.
www.twibchicago.com/p/the-birdma... 🪶
www.twibchicago.com/p/the-birdma... 🪶
The Birdman of Chicago
A tribute to Tony Fitzpatrick.
www.twibchicago.com
December 1, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Today's post is an appreciation of artist and Chicago icon Tony Fitzpatrick. Tony and I weren’t great friends, and I’ll be the first to say I didn’t really know him that well. I only benefited from his generosity and absorbing some of his world view.
www.twibchicago.com/p/the-birdma... 🪶
www.twibchicago.com/p/the-birdma... 🪶
Amazing how many of these still exist in some form or another!
Re-visiting this early 20th century postcard--and some nearby Chicago hotels--on the busiest travel weekend of the year. From our Curt Teich Postcard Collection. #historysky #chicago @pastpostcard.bsky.social
November 26, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Amazing how many of these still exist in some form or another!
It was fun catching with maybe the only local birding columnist in the Chicago area recently. Jeff's written for the Daily Herald for 20-plus years and has a new book available.
www.twibchicago.com/p/a-conversa...
www.twibchicago.com/p/a-conversa...
A conversation with...Jeff Reiter
New book features The Best of Words on Birds.
www.twibchicago.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:00 PM
It was fun catching with maybe the only local birding columnist in the Chicago area recently. Jeff's written for the Daily Herald for 20-plus years and has a new book available.
www.twibchicago.com/p/a-conversa...
www.twibchicago.com/p/a-conversa...
Me with Ben Hecht’s Oscar last week @newberrylibrary.bsky.social. He won it as screenwriter for 1927’s Underworld. Yes, he used it as a doorstop. #filmsky
November 20, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Me with Ben Hecht’s Oscar last week @newberrylibrary.bsky.social. He won it as screenwriter for 1927’s Underworld. Yes, he used it as a doorstop. #filmsky