Lake Champlain Vintage Style Map

I just finished this vintage style map of beautiful Lake Champlain. I always do some research on a lake that I paint, and here's what I have discovered.  Lake Champlain is a natural lake located in Vermont and New York with a small portion in Canada. Interesting, did you know that Lake Champlain almost became the sixth great lake? Yep, but more about that later. The lake is a large lake being about 125 miles long and up to 23 miles wide. Lake Champlain is a very historic lake and was named after the French explorer who discovered it, Samuel De Champlain. In colonial times, battles were fought at Ticonderoga, Saratoga and a naval battle at Valcour Island led by Benedict Arnold.

In 1998, a bill signed by President Clinton gave Lake Champlain the title of the nation's sixth great lake, which allowed states to apply for educational and research money for the lake. There was such an uproar about the lake becoming the sixth great lake, the bill was rescinded after 18 days, but the educational and research money continued to flow.  The lake has about 80 islands. I love some of the island names such as, four brothers island. It makes me wonder why they came up with such a name?  There have been reports that a monster lives in the lake, not unlike the Loch Ness monster, but smaller. Vague descriptions indicate the monster is 5 to 10 feet long and is silver or gray.  Skeptic's suggest that it's only floating logs or large sturgeons schooling. 

Oh yeah, it's not a monster, but I do hide a tiny mermaid in all my maps for fun. Anyway, this lake does have many species of fish including huge pike, salmon, bowfin, trout, bass, walleye and large sturgeons. A great lake for the fisherman. If you like more information on a Lake Champlain vintage style map or other maps, checkout my website at LeoLakes.com. We also do custom maps and personalized maps.

Remember: " Get away from the big screen and get on a big stream, if not, then at least put on the wall." Frame your Favorite, Lake, River, or Bay, LeoLakes.com. 

Bait Me!

Here's one of my new cartoons, a carpy life. Hope you enjoy! 

Remember: If you can't get away from the big screen to a big stream, then put one on the wall! LeoMaps.com

A knock at the door

Today while at home, I heard a knock at the door. I opened the front door and found that no one was there and I wondered what caused the sound. When I looked down, I found a small Carolina Chickadee lying on its back near the edge of the first step that leads into the house. The bird was not moving and its legs were held tightly against its body. Apparently, the Chickadee had crashed into the side windows that are on each side of our front door, probably thinking it was an opening that it could fly through.   

I decided to pickup the little fellow so that I could place it in the yard, thinking that it may have just knocked its self out and would fly off. As I went to scoop the bird up, it began to move. When I put the chickadee on the ground it began to stand and flex its wings, but still not totally aware. I watched it for a few minutes and then I went back inside. After a while, I looked back outside to where I placed the small bird and found that the chickadee was gone.  I bet it had a headache. 

We have a bird feeder near this area and this may have contributed to the bird flying into the window. Interestingly, I have noticed a lot fewer chickadees at the feeder this year than in previous years. They say it is due to the severe winter because 50% of the chickadees can freeze to death during a cold winter. Well, it appears that this chickadee will make it for a while longer. Anyway, checkout my vintage style maps, custom or personalized.  

  

Oldfield News

Here's a little personal news that I'm proud of. My daughter Sarah, is the Valedictorian for her High School. This is proof that kids can still grow up in the woods and be first in their class. She has worked very hard and reached her goal. I'm not sure where she will be going to college, but she will likely study the sciences. 

Congratulations Sarah! 

What's in your river, lake, bay or woods? Get out and find out!

The Bobber Head & Fish Fry

Here's a few of my fishing cartoons that I can relate with. I spent a little more time on drawing them. Enjoy!

I can "kind of" relate to this cartoon. A few years ago on Valentines Day, my wife gave me some odd gifts, nuts and underwear, yep I said nuts and underwear. It sounds funny but, It was actually nice because I needed the underwear and I like nuts. Now, chocolate and roses are not the only things that show love, even nuts and underwear can. To be honest, you need to be married a few years before you start getting what you need on Valentines Day.

Again, I can relate to this cartoon. We've all been to a fish fry and ate too much, right? But have you ever been to a vegetable steam and ate too much? Do they even have vegetable steams? I don't think so because FISH RULE!

Fish Stration

A few of my cartoons to brighten this winter weather, Fish-stration. Enjoy!

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

It was as if a motorcycle gang had showed up at the bird feeder.

Yesterday in the ten acre woods, the birds at the feeder started freaking out. I looked out thinking that our cat was playing hide and pounce with the birds. Luckily, I didn't have to run out and chase the cat away on a cold winter day.  

It was a Red Shoulder Hawk low in the trees eyeing the activity around the feeder. I was lucky to get a nice photo of him while he was on a low branch. It was interesting while watching the birds at the feeder when the hawk was near. The small birds, Titmouse and Chick-a-dees, were not troubled by the hawk, however the Cardinals, Blue Jays, and Crows quickly left as if a motorcycle gang had showed up at the neighborhood bar. 

Life is short, discover whats in your woods, river, lake, or bay! 

Our Neighbors!

Not far from the back of our home (about 25 ft. from our back door), My wife discovered this nest about 10 feet above the ground. Luckily, I didn't wander near the nest during the summer time, because I am allergic to bee stings. In fact, so allergic that one sting and I will end up in the hospital. Anyway, it's likely that the nest was built last spring and we didn't see it until the winter when the leaves were gone. 

I did a little research and found that it's built by a Bald Faced Hornet and there stings are pretty nasty. This hornet is aggressive and will attack if you approach the nest. They average about 400 hornets and eat insects such as caterpillars, fly's, but little nectar. You know, there were almost no fly's around the house last summer. At this time of year, they say that there's no hornets in the nest, we shall see, because my goal is to remove the nest and bring it inside. I will let you know how this goes.

What's in your woods, lake, river or bay? Get out and find out!