Monday, November 24, 2014

Don't Just Fish, Fish like a Neanderthal.



Over 5,000 years ago, a pair of fishermen waded into the cold waters of the Baltic sea near Denmark. Little did they know that their actions were being recorded by the sands below their feet. Archaeologists discovered foot prints and some Stone Age fishing gear in a dried up inlet on the island of Lolland in Denmark. Two different sets of foot prints and a fishing fence, a tool used to catch fish which dates back around 3,000 BC years, were found. It appeared that the foot prints were made at different times.

Stone age fishermen used elaborate fish traps, similar to movable fences to catch their prey. The wooden fence was made in sections and lined up as the tide came in to trap the fish. The fence was moved at times to better fishing areas and this is likely when the foot prints were made in the sand and preserved by the clay like floor.

Also near the fence, was this well preserved image in the sandy clay bottom. It indicates the exact time a fish was ready to take the bait of a fisherman, 5,000 years ago. Amazing!!!
Interestingly, one can determine a lot from this image. First, fish have not changed much in 5,000 years, second, fisherman have not evolved much either. So, when you grasp that juicy, red wiggler and secure it to that super sharp hook, you are "Stone Age fishing! Yep, but better yet "Don't Just Fish, Fish like a Neanderthal."    
 
I've been painting lake, river and bay maps for over four years. My maps make great gifts for the lake house owner, lake lover, or fisherman. I have over two hundred on my website that can be purchased right from the site, or I can do custom and personalizes lake, river or bay maps, too. Oh yeah, I hide a tiny mermaid in the waters of all my maps that folks love to search for. Find out more interesting facts about my treasured maps by going to LeoLakes.com


TREASURED MAPS www.leolakes.com

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

Sunday, November 16, 2014

What are Tidal Bores?

What are Tidal Bores? Bugs, holes, caves... nope, but they only happen in a few places on earth, one of these being Turnagain Arm near Anchorage. It's the most interesting feature about Cook Inlet, but more about that later. I just completed a new map of Cook Inlet located in Alaska and did a little research to learn more about it. The inlet stretches for about 180 miles with Anchorage located near the north end.


There are two active volcanoes located near Cook Inlet, Augustine and Mount Redoubt and an abundance of  oil and gas deposits around the Cook Inlet basin. Many oil platforms dot the land and seascape.


Interestingly, Beluga whales can be seen in the inlet. Its been determined that these are an isolated stock that are genetically distinct and are on the endangered species list. As you can see, there's a lot of interesting features on Cook Inlet, but to me, the most interesting is Tidal bores. A Tidal Bore is a large wave, up to 10 feet high, or many waves. They move down an inlet, such as the Turnagain Arm in Alaska. Unlike common tides that happen over a period of time, Tidal Bores happen quickly. The largest bores occur after the lowest tides, due to the large amount of water rushing back into the inlet. There are scheduled times each day to see the bore. Tidal Bores only happen at a few places around the world.

Folks actually surf on the incoming bore, but I bet it's a bit chilly. The best place to see a Tidal Bore is Beluga Point. If you are ever visiting Cook Inlet, check out the Tidal Bore.

See more of my treasured map www.LeoLakes.comRead what my customers are saying. "I was finally able to give my husband the map I bought for his birthday last night. I want you to know how beautiful it was and how touched he was by it. He loves this Lake. His family has a home there and when we are lucky we get away for a few days, it’s the only place we want to be. He actually had tears in his eyes. Thank you for the beautiful art work."

hide a tiny mermaid/fish in the waters of all my lake map paintings that folks love to search for. I call my maps treasured maps because most folks have that special body of water that they treasure. These maps make great Christmas gifts for the lake house owner, lake lover, or fisherman. I have over two hundred on my website that can be purchased right from the site, or I can do custom and personalizes lake, river or bay maps, too. If you would like to see more and read about my treasured maps go to LeoLakes.com

TREASURED MAPS www.leolakes.com
Remember: Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big
stream, or at least enjoy one on the wall.

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Salute to a Veteran

A salute to my dad, Corporal Oscar Oldfield who was in the Army Air Force during World War Two and was a member of the 846th Bomb Sq. 989th GP. He spent three years, one month and 18 days serving this country during a very perilous time. He was station at several different locations including, Eglin Field FL, Flagstaff AR, and Anchorage AK.

He was an avid fishing and during his time at Eglin Field FL, he and his buddies would fish in swamps in and around Choctawhatchee Bay. A few times they had to fight the gators for their catch.


Thursday, November 6, 2014

Lake Lovers

Here's an interesting project that I was involved in, it's not about fishing, but it is about lakes. Folks take great pleasures spending time on there favorite lake. There's so many things to do, from a relaxing boat ride, to sitting dockside and enjoying friends, or more seriously, meeting your future mate and marrying on that beloved lake. That's what happen with a young couple on Lake Winnipesaukee.
The making of a family heirloom! I was lucky to be contacted about providing a unique wedding gift for a couple. I was asked to add two hearts to my Lake Winnipesaukee decor map. The first heart was placed to the location that they first met and labeled, "The Day We Met" with the date. A second heart was added to the location that they were wed, labeled "Our Wedding Date." with the date.

At the wedding, the map was displayed where family and friends could actually sign and make comments on the map with a sharpie. I think it will be great in the years to comes for their children to gaze into the map and read comments from their parents wedding day.


Now that's a true family heirloom. I hope the couple purchases a home near Lake Winnipesaukee and the map becomes a treasured map. On occasion, I do get involved in new and creative ideas for my maps. Believe it or not this is not the first wedding map that I have completed. I normally do a few a year and have even finished one that was 3.5ftx7ft. On this large wedding map, I actually hand painted interlocking wedding rings.  


It's true that lakes have become a popular location for wedding because of the love for the lake. In fact, my wife dreamed up this great poem that pretty much sums it up. 

"I love this lake, the most amazing thing appear in its wake, the sun arises above the shore, giving grace and beauty to this place that I adore".