My Lakes

A few years ago, right in the middle of the Great Recession,  I wanted a decor map of a river that I grew up fishing on. After some research I found that nice decor maps of these waterways did not exist. There were navigation, road, and topography maps, but no really nice, vintage style decor maps of lakes & rivers. This led me to paint my first map of that beloved river and this was the beginning. I guess you could say something good came out of the Great Recession, Leo Lakes Treasured Maps. Maybe I should call them "The Great Recession Maps?" They make great gifts! Do we have your map? Go to my web site to find out www.LeoLakes.com

Great Sacandaga Lake Vintage Style Decor Map 

WWW.LeoLakes.com

Fact #1: I hide a few fish and even a mermaid in the waters of my lakes. They're hard to find, but if you look close you will see them. Folks just love'm especially the kids. You might even think they move around over time.

I experimented with different colors and styles to finally settle on a vintage style that gave the painting a golden look. I added a few symbols such as the ruby meridian, wildlife and vintage plane flying over the water, with each having a story. When completed, I found that others liked it so much they asked for copies and a hobby was born. Well, that was 200 lakes, rivers and bays ago. 

Gaston Lake Antique Style Decor Map 

WWW.LeoLakes.com

Fact #2: I call my maps Treasured Maps because every treasure has a Ruby and so do my maps, each has a Ruby Meridian. 

I paint each lake, river, or bay in the vintage style too hopefully bring back those wonderful memories. Included with each print is a Certificate of Authenticity that explains the meaning of each symbol. 

Lake Mead Vintage Style Decor Map 

WWW.LeoLakes.com

Fact #3: You will find no road names, county, or state lines on my maps. I have found that folks enjoy traveling the roads with their eyes, while trying to get their bearing. I call this the "Leo Lakes gaze."

Before I paint a lake, I do a lot of research. Great Sacandaga Lake in New York was an interesting lake. Did you know that the North American record for the Northern Pike was caught in this lake, 46lbs 2oz. in 1940. Actually, Great Sacandaga Lake is a Reservoir. What's the difference between a reservoir and a lake? A reservoir is man-made and a lake is naturally made, however, lakes and reservoirs are not always titled appropriately.

Beautiful Lake Tahoe Vintage Style Decor Map 

WWW.LeoLakes.com

Fact #4: I add a vintage plane flying over my maps to signify an adventure to your treasured lake, river, or bay.   

Sometimes, while doing research, I wonder how they come up with the names of features around lakes. Lake Winnipesaukee has many islands and one such island is named Rattlesnake Island, were there lots of Rattlesnakes on the island, maybe? 

Lake Winnipesaukee Vintage Style Decor Map

www.LeoLakes.com

Fact #5: You will find wildlife in all my maps. These signify the natural beauty of your treasured lake, river or bay. I use wildlife that is common to the subject lake, such as Canadian Geese, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagles and others. 

Now I feel like Forrest Gump who kept running and running and running in the movie, except I paint lake maps and paint lake maps and this is no movie. I have painted a lake, river, or bay in 35 states with hopes of covering all 50 states.    

Table Rock Lake Vintage Style Decor Map

www.LeoLakes.com

Fact #6: Did You Know that you can always tell that it's morning or evening on a Leo Lakes map? Just look at the shadows cast by the wildlife, is the shadow on the east or west? If it's on the east, then its morning. Oh yeah, I have had folks tell me that they change through the day, but don't believe them.

I can now print large 4ft x 8ft canvas maps for Marinas, Restaurants or large rooms. Also 16" x 32" canvas for home and office, which have become a popular choice and small 10"x20" fine paper prints. I just finished my largest map yet, a huge 4'x8' of Pickwick Lake for a customer who has a home over looking the lake. 

 Fact #7: Did You Know that Leo Lakes Treasured Maps are great for your home, office or lake house and make great gifts. Personalize your map by adding photos of that trophy fish, family outing or be creative. Great Gift for the lake lover or fisherman.

Do we have your lake? Find out below by clicking LEO Lakes below.

         

Life's short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream. If not, hang one on your wall !

Dang Beavers

Here in the south, the winter has been very mild this year as it has in most of the nation. On January 31st I actually took a photo of a buttercup in full bloom. Normally here, buttercups come out from mid to late February. I'm seeing bees flying around and moths at night. You won't believe what the Beavers have done!  

Look at what they built in the creek. I'm telling you that this has been a strange winter. I hate to see what the Raccoon's are up to.  

Dang Beavers!

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

The Unusual Catch - BaitRageous

If you are a fisherman, you have likely caught all sorts of different things. BaitRageous takes a look at some of the most unusual catches with Ralph the fisherman. Enjoy! 

What's in your River, Lake, Or Bay? Get out and Find Out.

Foggy Morning Hawk?

Sunday I awoke to a beautiful foggy morning here in Tennessee. I looked out into the ten acres woods to see what I might see. Normally, we see turkeys wondering around looking for seeds or deer grazing. Today I spotted a hawk perched on a limb in the front yard. I wondered what the hawk may be after. We have a bird feeder that I keep filled in the winter time with sunflower seeds. It seemed that the hawk was watching the feeder. Could it be that he is after a bird? Once I saw a hawk attack a blue jay, so I grabbed my camera to be ready for any action.

As you can see from this photo, he appears to be a common Red-tail Hawk. 

This is a picture of our bird feeder. It doesn't seem that the birds are aware that a hawk is near or maybe they have no fear of a Red-tail. 

I found what he may be after, I spotted a fat squirrel near the feeder. For an hour and ten minutes, myself, my wife, and teenager watched the hawk and waited for some action. I was in perfect position to capture a wildlife moment, but the hawk wasn't in a hurry. Finally, I decided to sneak-out with my camera to see if I could get a better shot. As I moved closer, I thought what a great photo if I could get a shot of the hawk attacking a fat gray squirrel. I moved closer and closer. 

THEN, as I moved closer and the fog lifted a bit, I could see something wasn't right. This picture pretty much sums it up.

Dang, I feel like a dummy. We have been watching a red tail branch. I guess I can blame it on Animal Dyslectic Syndrome (ADS) which you can read about from an earlier post. 

What's in your Woods? Get out to find out.         

What's the best fly?

What is the best fly to fish with? This question has been asked by every fly fisherman or woman since the first fly was wet by water. Well, the answer is the freshest fly of course. The Great Blue Heron Fly Company definitely have the freshest flies. You just don't get any fresher. Check it out. Click the sign to get a closer look. 

Since fishing is a little slower in the winter time a little bait humor goes a long way. Hope you enjoyed and remember, Get away from the big screen and get on a big stream. Adventure Outdoors!

Baitrageous Bait Cartoons

Today it's 28 degrees and a big 1/4" of snow is on the ground here in Tennessee. I just completed another batch (total of 12) of BaitRageous Toons. I've had so much fun doing them I purchased the domain names to Baitrageous.com, .net and .biz etc..... Also, I have a new blog under construction: baitrageous.blogspot.com and may move the bait cartoons to the new blog, but I not sure yet.  Here's four new toons. 

Even earth worms are doing the Tebow!

Here's a situation, fishing the Jersey Shores. 

Steve the snail, no longer anti-social.

Even earth worms have phobias.

Hope you enjoyed and provide a little feed back if you like. If you don't like, then don't give any feed back. Hee Hee!

Get away from the big screen and get on the big stream! Hey, check-out my vintage style custom maps below.

leomaps.com

Deer in the Head lights?

The results are in for a Government study to determine what deer really see when they are "Deer in the head lights." A government spokesman stated that we know what we see when we see deer in the head lights, but what do the deer see? This has been a perplexing question every since the invention of the head light. 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. 

Exhibit 1- Deer in head lights

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 2- What the deer see.

Wow,the study finally pays off. This is what deer see. 


What's in your woods, river, lake, or bay. Get away from the big screen and get on a big stream!

Catch of the Day!

Fishing has been pretty slow here in Tennessee over the last few weeks. Winter has finally settled in and the fish are in hibernation (ha ha). I took this picture of Buttermilk with the catch of the day. As you can see a real nice largemouth............for a fish aquarium. Oh well, things will get better in the year. 

What's in your woods, river, lake or bay? Get away from the big screen and get on a big stream. Adventure Outdoors!