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What stirs on Christmas night, motion camera?

A couple of years ago, I set out to determine what happens in my backyard on Christmas night, would I see reindeer, eves or maybe Santa? The goal was to use my infrared, motion detector, camera and capture a picture of what may be stirring on a cold Christmas night.

11:50 pm - The first picture that critter cam caught was of our cat, Creamy. All looks normal on Christmas night.  (Picture number 52 and temperature of 31)

3:17 am - Then a picture was taken, but I don’t see anything that would have set off the motion detector. Hmm, this seems odd. (Picture number 53 and temperature of 31)

7:14 am – Again our cat is caught walking past the camera. Well, it appears that I was unsuccessful with pictures of just our cat. The more I think about it, the camera should have been on the roof because this is where the reindeer should have been working. However, I have determined that the camera didn't capture any creatures between the hours of 11:50pm and 7:14am, approximately 7-1/2 hours. So, it appears that critters do not stir on Christmas night. Feeling sad that I didn't get a picture of a reindeer, I went outside to see if I could find out what had set the camera off at 3:17 am.

To my surprise, I saw a round object in the snow. 

After a closer inspection, it was a red bell. Wow, could this bell have come off Santa’s sleigh when he was leaving our house?  I believe at 3:17 am, Santa left our home and this red bell fell off his sleigh. The bell must have fallen near the camera and it triggered the motion detector. Wow, I can’t believe it, Santa's sleigh bell. Should I mail the bell back to the North Pole? 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Visit my website to see more. I have over two hundred lake, river and bay maps on my website that can be purchased right from the site, or I can do custom and personalized lake, river or bay maps, too. If you would like to see more and read about my treasured maps go to LeoMaps.com. 

As you can see, my maps make a great gift. To see more of my work, click here www.LeoLakes.com. 

Remember, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream!

My Lake Poem.....Not a Fish was stirring!!!

I went fishing last year near Christmas and here's what happened.

Last weekend I went to one of my favorite lakes to fish and kayak. This particular lake was stocked with Rainbow Trout the day before and my goal was to catch few. This poem tells you how well the fishing trip went.

Not a fish was stirring not even a carp!

T’was the night after the Rainbows had been stocked at the lake, I went fishing to see what I might take,

The flys were hung in the tackle box with care, in hopes that a big rainbow would soon be there.

When out on the lake there arose such a clatter, I sprang up in my kayak to see what was the matter.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, a just fallen tree near a old whitetail deer.

I found not a fish was stirring, not even a carp, so I paddled my Kayak back to the park.

When I arrived home, fun was had by all, as my wife had just arrived from the mall.

That pretty much sums up my fishing trip. Apparently the trout, being new to the lake had pissed off everyone and nothing was biting.

Visit my website to see more. I have over two hundred lake, river and bay maps on my website that can be purchased right from the site, or I can do custom and personalized lake, river or bay maps, too. If you would like to see more and read about my treasured maps go to LeoMaps.com. 

As you can see, my maps make a great gift. To see more of my work, click here www.LeoLakes.com. 

Remember, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream!

Thank You!

This has been a very busy year for us. Here's a little bit about my family. 

Sarah graduated from Davidson Academy as valedictorian in May. She then began her freshman year at Sewanee: the University of the South. She continues to be an avid runner and is currently training for her third half-marathon.

Callie has completed her final semester at Sewanee, where she is summa cum laude. She will receive a Bachelor of Science in biology with a minor in environmental studies. Callie will continue working at the University doing research before going to graduate school. Our cats, Gray-gray, Stormy (Fatboy), and Creamy (Tyrone) are fat and happy.

My wife, Karen teaches at Davidson Academy and I have been growing LeoLakes Treasured Maps. 

Thank You for purchasing my vintage style maps. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

A gift that makes grandpa smile

It seems like I'm an Elf in Santa's workshop with all the Christmas maps that are being worked on. The studio is a little messy, but enjoying it! Check-out the email that I received below. I hope I can put a big smile on grandpa's face!

"This map is for my grandpa. Please work your magic and include all of your amazing art (fish, mermaid, geese, plane, heron and eagle) that would make grandpa smile from ear to ear when he receives this for Christmas.  Also, my brother is an Apache pilot in the US Army, not sure how hard it would be for you to add a small helicopter (it can be a simple model of any kind) somewhere close to the property...if that's too much to ask for I completely understand.  Looking forward to seeing the finished product. Happy holidays to you and your family!"

Oh yeah, this is my studio during this Christmas seasons. Happy Holiday's!

A Beautiful St Croix Map

I just finished this map of St Croix Island. It will be a Christmas gift for someone who has a condo on the Island. If you look closely you can see fish that I place in the waters for interest.

The birds will be hand painted (touched-up) to make them pop before shipping. Some where in the waters is a tiny hidden mermaid.

If you look closely in the picture below, you may see the fish jumping out of the water. I often place different things in the waters for folks to look for.

Visit my website to see more. I have over two hundred lake, river and bay maps on my website that can be purchased right from the site, or I can do custom and personalized lake, river or bay maps, too. If you would like to see more and read about my treasured maps go to LeoMaps.com. 

As you can see, my maps make a great gift. To see more of my work, click here www.LeoLakes.com. 

Remember: Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream, or at least enjoy one on your wall.

The perfect Lake House Christmas Gift!

The perfect Lake House Christmas gift! A beautiful canvas map of the lake that the lake house is located on, of course. This makes the perfect gift for the  lake house owner, or lake lover. A great Christmas gift, check-out these comments  from our customers. Oh yeah, don't forget to look for the hidden mermaid in the waters of your favorite waters!

The map arrived right on time and it was a sensational hit.  Thanks so much, this was exactly what I was looking for and was even better than anticipated. Nate

I just received the map, it looks beautiful! Thank you for helping me put together such a spectacular gift and I will definitely keep you in mind for future gift ideas. Have a wonderful Sunday!

It arrived safely and looks great. Thank you so much for everything! Thanks again!

Arrived safe and sound this afternoon and looks great!  I can't wait to give it to my parents for xmas for their new lake house.  Thank you!

Go to www.Leolakes.com to see if we have your map. We have many popular lake maps such as the Lake Winnipesaukee map, Great Sacandaga Lake map, Lewis Smith Lake map, Pickwick Lake map, Greer's Ferry Lake map, Lake Sidney Lanier map, Lake Sinclair map, Table Rock Lake map, and Lake Wallenpaupack map. Also, we paint custom maps and have personalized maps for that special someone. 

Vintage style map of Cook Inlet

I just complete a new map of Cook Inlet located in Alaska and if you look closely you may find a hidden mermaid in the waters of Cook Inlet below. What's the most interesting feature about Cook Inlet, I will tell you, but first a little about the inlet? The inlet stretches for about 180 miles with Anchorage located near the north end.

There are two active volcanoes located near Cook Inlet, Augustine and Mount Redoubt. There is an abundance of  oil and gas deposits around the Cook Inlet basin and many platforms dot the land and seascape.

Interestingly, Beluga whales can be seen in the inlet. Its been determined that these are an isolated stock that are genetically distinct and are on the endangered species list. As you can see, there's a lot of interesting features on Cook Inlet, but to me, the most interesting is Tidal bores. What are Tidal Bores, bugs, holes, caves? Nope, but it only happens in a few places on earth, one of these being Turnagain Arm near Anchorage.

A Tidal Bore is a large wave, up to 10 feet,  or many waves that move down the Turnagain Arm. Unlike most tides, Tidal Bores happen quickly. The largest bores occur after the lowest tides, due to the large amount of water rushing back into the inlet. There are scheduled times each day to see the bore. 

Folks actually surf on the incoming bore, but I bet it's a bit chilly. The best place to see a Tidal Bore is Beluga Point. If you are ever visiting Cook Inlet, check out the Tidal Bore.

See more of my treasured map www.LeoLakes.com. Read what my customers are saying. "I was finally able to give my husband the map I bought for his birthday last night. I want you to know how beautiful it was and how touched he was by it. He loves this Lake. His family has a home there and when we are lucky we get away for a few days, it’s the only place we want to be. He actually had tears in his eyes. Thank you for the beautiful art work."

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 Christmas 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, or at least enjoy one on the wall.

A Treasured Wedding Map

Folks take great pleasures spending time on there favorite lake. There's so many things to do, from a relaxing boat ride, to sitting dockside and enjoying friends, or more seriously, meeting your future mate and marrying on that beloved lake. That's what happen with a young couple on Lake Winnipesaukee.

The making of a family heirloom! I was lucky to be contacted about providing a unique wedding gift for a couple. I was asked to add two hearts to my Lake Winnipesaukee decor map. The first heart was placed to the location that they first met and labeled, "The Day We Met" with the date. A second heart was added to the location that they were wed, labeled "Our Wedding Date." with the date.

At the wedding, the map was displayed where family and friends could actually sign and make comments on the map with a sharpie. I think it will be great in the years to comes for their children to gaze into the map and read comments from their parents wedding day.

Now that's a true family heirloom. I hope the couple purchases a home near Lake Winnipesaukee and the map becomes a treasured map. On occasion, I do get involved in new and creative ideas for my maps. Believe it or not this is not the first wedding map that I have completed. I normally do a few a year and have even finished one that was 3.5ftx7ft. On this large wedding map, I actually hand painted interlocking wedding rings.  

It's true that lakes have become a popular location for wedding because of the love for the lake. In fact, my wife dreamed up this great poem that pretty much sums it up. 

"I love this lake, the most amazing thing appear in its wake, the sun arises above the shore, giving grace and beauty to this place that I adore". 

Frame your favorite, Lake, River, or Bay 

LeoLakes.com

St Augustine

My wife and I visited St Augustine Fl. a few weeks ago. On one early morning, we got up and walked the beach. I took my camera because the early morning can provide for some great photos. As you look through these photos, wander around in them and see if there's a story? They say a picture is worth a thousand words.

Yes, there is a story. I talked to this guy for a while and he's a veteran and fishes most mornings on the beach. I don't know the complete story, but I salute all veterans for their service to this country.


Here's a great Christmas Gift for the lake house owner, lake lover, or fisherman. I have over two hundred vintage style lake 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. Oh yeah, I hide a tiny mermaid in the waters of all my maps that folks love to search for. Find out more interesting facts about my lake treasured maps by going to LeoMaps.com. 

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

Decor Maps

Believe it or not, It's been seven years since I started Old Field Studio. It began, Oct 2007 when I started painting wildlife and waterfowl. Along the way, it developed into painting waterfowl and vintage style maps together. Here's a great example of combining the two, Toledo Bend Lake in Texas with common waterfowl flying over. I sell the maps under the name "Leo Lakes" because Leo is my initials, Larry Engene Oldfield. I started off doing maps of only lakes, so that's the reason for "Lakes." Now, I'm doing maps of everything, rivers, bays, islands, farms, etc... I've collected several domain names, DecorMaps.com, OldFieldStudio.com, LeoMaps.com, TheArtOfMaps.com and LeoLakes.com. I am thinking of changing my website name from LeoLakes.com, to LeoMaps or TheArtOfMaps. It seems to me that these names better define my business.

Anyway, I continue developing the art of maps. I added a poem to this map, which when you read it, you actually get a feeling of being at the lake.

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 Christmas 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.

How to preserve Lake, river, and bay memories

 I have been lucky to have a couple of lures that my grandfather fished with in the 20s & 30s. Now, my grandfather was not much of a fisherman, but did fish on rare occasion. When I was a kid, the family cleaned out his home after he passed. My father and I found these old Heddon lures in his shop. My father said he remembered these when he was a kid and fished with them on the Duck River. Just think these lures were used during the depression, & WWII.

As you can see, they have seen better days. In fact, someone tried to modify the top lure for some reason. I do wonder what's the story behind this bait, where was it purchased, and what fish were caught. I'm sure if this bait could talk, it would be fascinating.

They are made of wood. The shellac has deteriorated with age and the paint is starting to crack and flake off. The quality of the craftsmanship is excellent. The diving spoon is thick and made from high quality metal, no rust after 80-85 years.

I bet my father or his brother modified this lure when they were young and decided a spinner would be better added to the front. Oh well, I am glad to have these old relics.They are not worth much to anyone else but me. I do want to preserve the story and place them in a better container. So, I decided to print and build an old fashion lure box made of paper.

You just can't tell the story of an old lure unless you know it. That's why I've been working on an old fashion lure box. I think it would be neat to have the story about the lure on the outside of the box. Folks in the future will know a little more about these old lures and the story behind the bait. I've been working on this project for a while, but I'm taking my time in order to make it right. Think how great it would be to get an old prized lure from your grandfather and on the outside of the box, a story about the lure. It would become a prized possession, a family heirloom that would be handed down.  Remember:  "Old fishermen may pass, but their bait lives on!"

I do custom and personalized lake, river, island or bay decor maps. They make a great gift for the lake lover. If you would like to see if we have your body of water, go to LeoLakes.com. 

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

Best Lake Maps for the Lake House

A beautiful decor map of your favorite lake, such as Great Sacandaga Lake, Greers Ferry Lake, Lake Tahoe, Lake Winnipesaukee, Table Rock Lake, or Pickwick Lake, will look great hanging in your home, lake house or office. Makes the best 2014 Christmas Gift!

Unlike other maps, there’s a tiny mermaid hidden in the waters which folks love to search for and some say she moves around! You'll love the waterfowl which are hand painted (touched up) on the canvas prints to give that original look and each map is hand signed by Leo. For a personal touch, you can even add a small star to the location of your lake house or special place and add a few words such as "Evan's Lake House, Est. 2014" or be creative. The signatured Ruby Meridian, waterfowl and vintage plane have a story that’s included in the signed Certificate of Authenticity.  Leo Lakes treasured maps will make a cherished gift for that special someone. 

A few recent comments from our Customer's: 

Customer Email 9/18/14: We received the map (Chautauga Lake) and it is gorgeous!!! So glad I stumbled onto your website, what great customer service. Thank you!

Customer Email 9/14/14: Hi Larry, The Gulf of Mexico décor map arrived in good order Friday mid afternoon. I anxiously awaited my son’s breaking free and coming over for the grand unveiling. Our anticipation was almost like Christmas as children. All that can be said is WOW! It exceeds our expectations.  What a wonderful rendering! It will be hung in his home with pride and capture many fond memories of the family’s favorite vacation area….job well done!! 

Customer Email 9/12/14: I just received it (Greers Ferry Lake Map)!  I love it and I know my husband will as well!  Thank you so much!

Customer Email 9/9/14: Larry, just received the map yesterday and love it!!!   Now I will probably have to order one for us too. (Lewis Smith Lake).

Visit my website to see more. I have over two hundred lake, river and bay maps on my website that can be purchased right from the site, or I can do custom and personalized lake, river or bay maps, too. If you would like to see more and read about my treasured maps go to LeoMaps.com. 

As you can see, my maps make a great gift. To see more of my work, click here www.LeoLakes.com. 

"As I look over this lake, The most amazing scenes appears in it wake,

The sun arises just above the shore, Giving grace and beauty to this place that I adore." LKO

Under The Bobber

Just blowing off some creativity with "Under the Bobber."  If fish were human, this is what they would be thinking. Hope you enjoy my cartoons!

Need a great Christmas gift for the lake house owner, lake lover, or fisherman. I have over two hundred vintage style lake 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. Oh yeah, I hide a tiny mermaid in the waters of all my maps that folks love to search for. Find out more interesting facts about my lake treasured maps by going to LeoMaps.com. 

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