Tuesday, January 29, 2013

A FLY OVER!

Just completed this 6'-4" x 3'-2" treasured map of Lake Winnipesaukee. The map is large enough for me to get the camera right down on the canvas and take these cool shots.
Almost looks like you are really flying over a lake minus the island names!
Lake Winnipesaukee is a beautiful lake with many islands.
All my lakes have the signature ruby meridian.
Here's a great blue heron flying over the lake. I hand paint the waterfowl on all canvas prints.
If you look closely, you may see a mermaid in the water or even a big trout. See more lakes, rivers and bay maps at www.LeoLakes.com.
 
Life  is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream!

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Designer Waders!

 
I couldn't resist 
re-posting this cartoon that I did on designer waders. Nice artwork Johnny! Looks like little Johnny just invented designer waders. Hmm... little Johnny's artwork is all over his dad's fish suit, as little Johnny calls them. Is that a permanent marker in Johnny's hand. Oh no, wonder what daddy's reaction will be?

Remember: Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream! www.LeoLakes.com 

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

A disturbance in the woods!

Yesterday there was a huge disturbance in the ten acre woods. Lots of rustling, scurrying, and barking by the neighbors, the squirrels. What was causing all of this uproar? I'm not sure, but just before I ran into the house to get the camera, silence came over the ten acre woods. You could hear an acorn drop. Hmmm... what's going on? After retrieving my camera, I scanned the trees to see if I might see what was causing the ruckus.  
Finally, buried behind a lot of twigs and branches, I discovered a hawk. No double about it, this hawk is looking for a meal with the main course being a bushy tail. Looking through the camera it was hard to determine the hawk's species.
After transferring the photos to my laptop, I was able to identify the hawk. It was a Red Shouldered Hawk, which is common in this area.
Normally, we have an abundance of squirrels, but on occasion they all disappear, thanks to the Great Horned Owl, Red Tail Hawk and Red Shouldered Hawk.  

What's in your woods, river, lake or bay? Go find out!

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Thirty-two million dollar study: What deer see in headlights.

Scientist, hunters, automobile drivers and just about everybody has wondered what do deer see when they are "deer in the headlights." Well finally, the results are in for this 32.4 million dollar government study to determine what deer really see when they are "Deer in the headlights."

A government spokesman stated that we know what we see when we see deer in the headlights, but what do the deer see? This has been a perplexing question every since the invention of the headlight. The study was over a five year period and took place in many parts of the country. It took several universities, and a team of scientist, technicians and professional photographers to gather all the results. The most sophisticated cameras were used to film the actual events. The best way to explain the results is to just look at the official photos.


Exhibit 1- Deer in head lights

Exhibit 2- What the deer see.
The study finally pays off. This is what deer see. Totally amazing!

Ok, I may have let my imagination go a little too wild, but it is humorous, yes? I hope you enjoyed. 

Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream, or at least put one on the wall. www.LeoLakes.com



Friday, January 18, 2013

Near the lake, sort of?

I haven't been fishing in a while due to the weather, but have been near a lake. Just completed this treasured map of Lewis Smith Lake in Alabama. It's a large 2 feet x 4 feet and printed on canvas.
My goal is for the map to almost glow.

I hide things in the waters of the river, lake or bay.

On canvas prints, I come back and hand paint the waterfowl to make them pop and to appear as if they float over the map. I just noticed in this photo that if you look closely you may find something swimming in the water.

This is what I refer to as the Red Ruby Meridian, my seal. It indicates a treasured map. Hopefully my maps will become a family heirloom bringing back those golden memories of that special river, lake or bay. See more at www.LeoLakes.com

"Get away from the big screen and get on a big stream!"

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

An icy day!


Icy weather has settled in here at the ten acre woods. I left the warm fire this morn to go out and see what's around the woods. Here's what my camera captured on this Wednesday, January 16th, 2013. 
There is an old barbwire fence that covers a portion of the ten acre woods that was likely placed here in the 50s or early 60s. A drip started to fall, but was frozen before it could hit the ground. This is what would be called "frozen in time."
Very little green is remaining in the woods, however this red cedar tree is trying its best to display its colors. A nice coating of ice is doing its best to cover the green.
We have pileated woodpeckers which are larger than a crow and have a beautiful red crown. They can certainly rip the bark off a tree looking for bugs. 
It's almost as if this tree has been hand hewn with a tool.
Icy under grown, waiting for the big melt. 
The last photo of this icy day. 

What's in your woods? Get up and get out!


Thursday, January 10, 2013

I caught a Bandit?

Not long ago, I put critter cam out in our ten acre woods to see what might be wandering around. It didn't take long to catch a bandit. Can you see his mask?
This little Tennessee tree hugger was caught in action at 2:47 am by critter cam. I'm not sure why this raccoon is hugging this tree, but I guess it's to get away from danger. Here in the ten acre woods, we have many raccoons. They are one tough ball of fur. Our cats don't mess with them and possums have learned to stay away. Anyway, this is just one nights adventure, in the 10 acre woods.

"What's in your woods, river, lake or bay? Get out and find out."

Saturday, January 5, 2013

A Treasured Paradise


Here's some pictures of a painting that I'm doing. I'm putting the finishing touches on this decor map of Barren River Lake located in central Kentucky. I repaint the waterfowl to make them pop and hopefully look like they are floating above the map. 
This map is huge, 4ft x 8ft canvas.  
Remember Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream, like Barren River Lake.