Winter Woodpecker

Between the hardwood trees in our ten acre woods, I spotted a pilated woodpecker searching for bugs in tree holes and under bark. I took these photos with my new Nikon d810, 28-300mm lens.

Knock, knock, anybody home. All of these photos were taken, handheld from about 70 feet away. Some photos have been cropped to show additional detail.

Peek-a-boo, is there a nice juicy beetle at home that wants to become take out food? 

The pilated woodpecker is one of my favorite birds. I often see them in the ten acre woods flying from tree to tree. When they become serious, they can make the wood chips fly. 

These birds are very shy. Normally, when I see them, they see me and fly away. I was lucky and was able to take these photos without the woodpecker detecting me. 

I have often seen the woodpecker turn its head from side to side. I think the woodpecker is turning its head to better hear for bugs under the tree bark. I was able to watch this beautiful bird for about 10 minutes and took 20 photos before the pilated decided to fly away.

Checkout my maps: LeoMaps.com

"Life is short, reduce screen time and increase stream time, get on a big stream."

Happy Valentines

Happy Valentines Day!
I've done it all for valentines, gifts, roses, balloons, spa treatment, etc...but I've found that being simple is best. For her, she likes to be surprised on Valentines morning with her favorite candy, shaped in a heart on the kitchen counter and of course a good meal! 

Occasionally, I create cartoons for fun. Here's a couple based on valentines. 

Also, if you like my cartoons, checkout my vintage style lake, river and bay decor maps. I call my maps treasured maps because most folks have that special body of water that they treasure. These 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. If you would like to see more and read about my treasured maps go to LeoMaps.com.

Lake Decor Maps

Amazingly, I've been painting vintage style decor map of lakes for the last five years and I think I have become a map elf (see my studio picture below). Anyway, one of my favorite things about painting maps is the comments that I often receive from customers about how much they love the maps. Here's just one comment from a very recent customer. 

"Hi Larry, I received the map today of Great Sacandaga Lake. It's absolutely beautiful. I bought it as a gift for my cousins who have a place up there and I visit regularly during the summer. I'm sure they're going to love it as much as I do. Thank you again!" 

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. I have maps of Lake Winnipesaukee, Table Rock Lake, Greers Ferry, Lake Lanier, Gaston Lake, Choctawhatchee Bay, Toledo Bend, Raystown, and many others. Oh yeah, I hid 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 LeoMaps.com. 

Oh yeah, this is part of my studio! I think I have become a map elf!