An Illinois Road Trip - The Illinois River Road North

I just purchased a new lens, and I was really anxious to get out. All the snow is gone around my area, so my wife and I headed northwest towards Havana. We stopped of at Emequin, there were a few guys out ice fishing, but we didnt see one eagle or pelecan. Pretty unusual, but Emequin was totally froze over, so I guess they were all over at the Illinois River which was still open. Decided to drive a little further down the road to Banner Marsh, one of my favorite natural area's in the state. Winter is the best time to be there in my mind. Stumbled onto a couple of swans in one of the lakes, and there was of course the winter horticultural offerings that are always there. The lens is going to work out fine, not quite big enough to really reach out there to grab those eagle pics, but I am looking forward to putting it to use down at the farm.