Warm and Cozy???

My fishing buddy, Buttermilk camped out on the Duck River Friday night. Saturday morning at home, I checked my phone and had a text message from Buttermilk. Here's what he said.... "I found this cat down here. I put him in my tent to keep warm. He's kind of ornery though." Here's the picture Buttermilk sent.

Hummmm...Looks like Buttermilk needs to get his eyes checked? Anyway, I traveled down to the Duck and had a great fall fishing trip with Buttermilk and the "Duck Master." Who's the Duck Master? Find out in the next trip report which will follow soon.

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



I Love This Lake!

I Love this lake,

The most amazing scenes appear in its wake,

The sun arises just above the shore,

Giving grace and beauty to this place I adore.

LKO, 2009

Get away from the big screen and get on a big stream or at least put one on the wall!

 

New Host for LeoLakes Website!

Finally, after about three weeks of work the www.LeoLakes.com decor maps website has been moved to a new hosting. That new host is Go Daddy and so far they are great! The new website has been up-dated and many new features have been incorporated. I think the site looks a little more professional. Please check it out, www.LeoLake.com  and if you ever need to frame your favorite lake, river or bay, we have your map! 

Hopefully, I will have more time to post on this blog instead of working on a website! Remember, Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream or at least put one on the wall!

 

New website coming soon!

I haven't posted much on this blog lately because I've been working hard moving the LeoLakes website to a new hosting site. The new site will have an improved look and better features. It has been a lot of work to move, but I think it will better serve the customers. Stay tuned for the official date when the site is ready. Also, holiday orders (personalized & custom)start picking up by the end of October, so don't wait too late.

Get away from the big screen and get on a big stream or at least put one on your wall!

Map your adventure?

Over the Labor Day weekend, I went on a kayak fishing trip to the Duck River. Instead of a long blog report about the activities, sites, fish etc... I decided to try something new, an adventure map!

Click on adventure map to enlarge!

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then an adventure map with words and pictures is priceless! I'm not discussing much about the trip, but am using this adventure map to convey the information. Most importantly, I'm experimenting with a new idea. Let me know what you think. To see more of my custom maps go to www.LeoLakes.com

 

 

Do River Otters Attack People?

Here's what flashed through my mind this weekend. "I suddenly thought about what would happen if this 20-30 lb. river otter attacked me in my kayak?" It all started last Saturday. I spent the day kayak fishing away from the big screen and on a big stream named the Duck River. Duck River is located in middle Tennessee and is the most biologically diverse river in North American. This river contains more fish varieties per mile than any other river in North America. The Duck is home to over 150 species of fish, 55 mussels, 22 species of snails and many aquatic animals. Anyway, I was lucky to capture a photo of this critter from my kayak.

 It's a North American River Otter. This is only my second sighting of a river otter, the other was on the Harpeth River, also located in Tennessee.

 These animals are very agile. In fact, I watched the otter twist and turn like a corkscrew while chasing minnows in and out of the reeds. The minnows were fast, but the otter was faster, often coming up with its catch. 

This otter was oblivious to my presence. Here I am, in a big blue kayak, slowly moving toward the otter, while taking photos. He was total focused on fishing. This made me believe that he was a fairly young otter.  

 Finally, I moved within 35 feet of the otter and he still didn't detect me. He would come up for air and I would snap a picture. 

I decided that I was too close and began to slowly move away because I don't like to disturb wildlife too much. I slowly paddled in reverse with one hand while holding the camera with the other, I was hoping that the otter would do something interesting.  

While backing up, the paddle lightly banged against the kayak. Bang, this got the otters attention and he looked up straight in my direction. For a few seconds we both stared at each other and then, he showed me his teeth. You know, it's funny what goes through your mind when a wild animal shows you his teeth. I suddenly thought about what would happen if a 20-30 lb.  river otter attacked, but quickly discounted the idea because I have never heard of otters attacking folks, right? Anyway, check out those teeth; they look like they could do some real damage. Can you believe how white they are? It appears that they've been whiten by the local dentist. Dang, they're bright! Then...

...the otter raised up aggressively and let out a big snort. I wondered if  this otter was on the edge of attack.  All of a sudden he quickly disappeared under the water heading in my direction. Oh crap, camera down and paddle up. After some time had passed, he apparently had moved on. Boy, did I feel relieved, but otters don't attack people, right? After the trip, I arrived home and the first thing I did was research otter attacks. To my surprise, I found that otters do attack people. Often times when they have small one's around, but sometimes for no known reason. The attacks are vicious; however no one has died from an otter attack. Luckily, it doesn't occur often. Now when I see an otter, I have more respect.

Need a unique Gift? Check-out my maps.

Shuswap Lake, my first international map painting!

Here's a lake that you have probably never have heard of, Shuswap Lake. I Just finished a custom canvas lake map of Shuswap Lake located in British Columbia, Canada. My first international map. 

This lake is located near Salmon Arm, B.C. and is a large lake. It's unlikely that I will ever see this lake in person, but from what I have read it's a beautiful lake with many recreational activities, including some great fishing.

Oh Yeah, I'm headed to the big stream this weekend, the Duck River. We will be kayak fishing for most of Saturday. I should have a report next week. Have a great holiday! LeoLakes.com

Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream, or at least enjoy one on your wall. Frame your favorite lake, river or bay... 

Check us out at click here: LeoLakes.com

Rusty, Red Hornet in the Studio!

The last few days (three to be exact), I have been battling a "RUSTY RED HORNET" in the studio. The hornet that I will call "Buzz" has been sneaky. I will be patiently working and Buzz will come out from some place and fly around my head like a bad dream. As soon as I go into a full all out attack, Buzz disappears.

Here's the problem, I am allergic to bee stings, I swell up like a pumpkin and can't get my breath. When I get stung, I take a double dose of benadryl and go to the hospital. Normally, I can wait in the hospital parking lot for about 30 minutes until the symptoms subside, if not it's into the hospital emergency and a shot of adrenalin. So... it's an understatement to say that I FREAK-OUT around bees. In fact, I scream like a little girl.

Lucky for me, I have a boat paddle in the studio and I will use it! Finally, Mr.Buzz came in range and with a few home runs, I nailed the bee. As you can see, not too much damage around, just a few maps out of sorts. I survived!

RIP, Mr Buzz!

 

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