An uproar in the ten acre 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?

A government study reveals "what deer see when they look into 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. 
Checkout my lake decor maps at www.LeoLakes.com Great for the Lake Lover!

Lewis Smith Lake Decor Map

I 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.

 I  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 gifts for the lake house owner, lake lover, or fisherman. I have over two hundred maps 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.

Remember: Get away from the big screen and get on a big stream, if not, put one on the wall."

An icy walk in the ten acre woods

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!

What the heck?

A Snakes Life

OK, here's some of my older cartoons that I put together as a cartoon strip. It's called "The life and times of Gerty the green snake!"

Barren River Lake

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.

Fishing Rule Number 1.

Wives don't let this happen to you!

Fishing Rule Number 1. No tackle boxes in bed !

MEN if this happens to you, then get away from the big SCREAM and get on a big stream !

My New Toy

You know that magical feeling when you were a child and it was Christmas morning, you woke with excitement and ran to the Christmas tree to see what Santa had brought, the amazement, the fun and the magic. You couldn't wait to unwrap and start playing with your new toys. Well, as adults most of us have lost that special feeling. Guess what, I got mine back!!!!! It came in the form of a Canon iPF8400 wide format print for the studio.

Oh man, how much fun is this going to be. I will be able to print 44" wide and 59 feet long in my studio, yep I said 59 feet (less going to an outside printer). My old Epson printer could print 17"x 37" and will now be dedicated to fine paper prints with the Canon for fine canvas print. This will surely be great for LeoLakes Treasure Maps. I cannot wait to put a little creativity with this new printer and see what turns up.

The printer weights 315lbs and it took 5 of us to move it in. I also have a new computer coming that is being build by a friend to handle the new demands. It's a real hot rod computer with all the new gear. I will be able to spread more enjoy with my treasured maps in 2013. It's fun to do what you love!

Have a Treasured Christmas or Hanukkah or Holiday and a Happy New Year!

As Always: "Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream."

 

Lake Conroe

I just finished a painting of beautiful Lake Conroe which lies on the West Fork of the San Jacinto River in East Texas. The 21,000 acre reservoir was built in 1973 as an alternate water supply for Houston. A notable island on the lake is Bird Island, which is a great place for waterfowl photography. Also, this lake has good size Largemouth Bass. The lake record is almost 16 lbs.  

See more Lakes, Rivers, & Bay Treasured Maps at www.LeoLakes.com

 

"Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream."

 

Patio Deer!

I awoke this morning and flung open the door to look out over my big backyard. To my amazement I saw a most peculiar sight out on our patio floor. It wasn’t Santa or his elves, but I think it was one of his big brown reindeer. Just as I got a picture, as you can see from here, a powerful wind blew up and the reindeer disappeared.

Ok that’s it for my poetry. Actually, the other day I looked out the window and saw this pattern of leafs. They naturally fell to form an image of a reindeer. How appropriate for the season.

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

Save the snowmen!

A U.S. Government study over a five year period has found that snowmen are getting larger at an alarming rate. The study found that 65% of the snowmen and women were obese. In fact, only 49% were obese five years ago. It's not clearly understood why this is happening however, if this continues there could be catastrophic effects. Sicentist are puzzled by the fact that this is happening while the world is in the middle of global warming.  

I just thought I would post a little winter humor today. Here in Music City, winter has finally settled in for the season, I think? Anyway, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream.

Franken Trout

In the news lately there has been a lot of talk about genetically engineered fish. Soooo..., I couldn't help but do a cartoon about Frankenfish and Trouken tots!

Think about the possibilities from a Trouken Rainbow Rooster, to a very BIG Trouelk (elk trout). Dang, what have I been drinking.

 

Hope you enjoyed and remember, Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream.

Custom Lakes, Rivers and Bay Decor Maps

I just finished this custom painting of a small lake in Michigan. This map was printed on 16"x32" canvas and is a Christmas Gift. I love the name "Magician Lake." I looked up to see how this lake got its name and found there's two different story's. 

The story that I like the best, involves the original inhabitants of the area, Indians. According to legend, the Indians considered the lake to be magical. It seems that no matter how bad drought conditions in the area became, the lake level never dropped. Due to this, Indians called the lake "Magic Lake" which eventually became Magician Lake. 

I also did this lake with no borders and put a poem around the outside for a little artistic effect. Some folks like the traditional maps and others like the artistic style. I hope you enjoyed a little about "Magician Lake."


I don't hide snapping turtles, but I do 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 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. 
 

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

The best fish sauce?

What's the best fish sauce? It is certainly not Bob's Secret Fish Sauce! 

 

Life is short, Get way from the big screen and get on a big stream!

 

 

Crystal River

I just finished a new painting of Crystal River. Crystal River is a beautiful river in Florida and the water is amazingly clear, which makes Crystal River an appropriately named river.


See more at www.LeoLakes.com

I have canoed a river near here named the Weeki Wackee. Yep, that is the real name. There were many different birds along the river, but the special moment was seeing the manatees.

The water is so clear, you can see the bottom no matter how deep. These pictures do not do it justice. It's like watching nature in very high definition, but you are there. So, as I say, "get away from the big screen and get on a big stream."

Here are the manatees we came upon, a mother and calf. They are very gentle creatures, which gave me an idea for my river, lake and bay paintings. The manatees almost seem like mermaids and for the past 6-8 months, I have been adding very small mermaids to the waters of my painting. I got the idea from these two manatees. I hope you enjoyed this post.

 

Choctawhatchee Bay Decor Map

Just shipped a beautiful canvas print of Choctawhatchee Bay. 

Choctawhatchee Bay is located in the panhandle of Florida. A great fishing area with many fishermen going to Destin Florida for some great deep sea fishing. I've been fishing here many times going out on a boat called the Florida Girl and catching red snapper, sea bass and grouper. It's a beautiful area with the beaches being so white and fine it looks like sugar. The bird life is amazing and bird watching is a must. If you ever have a chance to vacation here, have dinner at Captain Anderson. You will love it! Checkout my maps at leoLakes.com

Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream, or at least put one on your wall!

How to train your Turkey!

Believe it or not, these three turkeys remove snow from man's front yard. They have been trained to march inline and scrape the ground, removing what's near. The turkeys can remove snow from sidewalks, streets and other public places. In addition, they can rake leaves in the fall. Just think, no more laborious work cleaning away snow or leaves and they do a better job than a snow/leaf blower.

The turkeys are easy to train and all you need to do is spread cracked corn in the area that is in need of clearing and the turkeys go to work. What's really great is that turkeys will work in all types of weather. Who knows, but you may see turkeys being sold at Home Depot or Lowes in the leaf/snow blowing department.

The only problem occurs around Thanksgiving when the birds may end up on the dinner table. These two turkeys are on the run. They certainly don't want to be dinner. I'm sure they wished Ben Franklin had his way and the turkey was our national bird. Thank goodness the majestic eagle won the award because it just wouldn't be right to have a national bird that gobbles.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving From Old Field Studio!