January 10, 2009 10:00 am 27 degrees, cold, overcast W of highway, near old mine office area

I hope someone with a better camera and photographic skills that mine, is documenting this overall change, as the wetland grows outward encompassing more and more area. As the water turns to a single expanding sheet of ice, the change becomes remarkably more visible. Each time the Emiquon acreage first comes into view approaching from the north down the highway, it's a bit of a shock to see just how far the water stretches compared to the last visit. Incredible. From this view it appears to reach to the far levee and it's very tempting to attempt a trek across it just to observe from different vantage points. On this particularly cold day, two eagles out on the ice keep an eye on me as I share their space.