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| HUMOROUS SCARECROW THAT HAS LOST HIS PANTS CORN PATCH, ROCKCASTLE, COUNTY, KENTUCKY |
In the last two years I have only found two homemade scarecrows. Yesterday made number three.
I noticed number three standing in a corn patch a couple miles from my home. He was quite humorous and I believe embarrassed as he stood there with no pants. This morning I woke up and went to the corn patch and snapped the above photo. It was taken from a distance so it is not as sharp as I like my photos to be. But, it's a scarecrow, a rare commodity around these parts.
My question is -- have folks given up this wonderful artful tradition?
Below are the two scarecrows that I have found in this area in the last couple years. I search personally for them when I am out and about. I also ask locals if they know of any and usually get a friendly smile saying -- nope haven't seen any lately.
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| HOMEMADE FARMER SCARECROW MADISON COUNTY, KENTUCKY |
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| ARTISTIC RENDITION OF A WOMAN GARDENER SCARECROW BEREA, KENTUCKY -- COMMUNITY GARDEN |
I hope that this scarecrow tradition is not disappearing from our landscape. I don't want to sing my take-off of Pete Seeger's song -- "Where have all the scarecrows gone, Long time ago."
Haven't seen a scarecrow in ages but those few you have photographed have real personality, even Mr. No Pant with his red shirt and expressionless face. There's a scarecrow-like construction in a front yard not far away. When the rain stops and the sun returns, I'll take a photo. It amuses me as it's really a fey sort of lawn ornament.
ReplyDeleteBarbara,
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed this post. I suppose I am not artistic enough. When I have finished planting the corn my T-shirt is totally sweat soaked. I take it off put it on a hanger and hang it on a branch at the end of the garden. On a metal hanger which makes me think that in a few years metal hangers will be hard to find too.
I totally want to make a scarecrow for my garden - I've just been super busy. When I do, I'll post a picture for you!
ReplyDeleteJune -- Scarecrows always amuse me -- the homemade ones that is. One does not need to be meticulous in constructing these SC's but whimsy plays a big part in the overall effect of the finished product. Please post your scarecrow-like construction. Thanks -- barbara
ReplyDeleteLisa -- When you do finish your scarecrow let me know -- I'll mention your post with the scarecrow photo. If your life stays busy don't give up -- there is always next year. -- barbara
ReplyDeleteGrampy -- When you told me about hanging up your work t-shirt, I thought about ornaments. Perhaps you can start a new fad of scarecrow ornaments hanging on a tree. Never thought about metal hangers losing ground -- I guess that is a good possibility in this age of plastic. Thanks for the comments -- barbara
ReplyDeleteFolks around here hang empty milk jugs around their garden. No scarecrows here.
ReplyDeletescarecrows in fields? Golly, not for years and years.
ReplyDeleteIt's bird scarers all the way round here. The dog is terrified of the noise which is just like gun shots.
But you have reminded me. I need something for the veg patch, so why shouldn't I make a scarecrow myself. It's a brilliant idea.
Barbara, I would really like it if you could follow me on Friko's World, although I thank you for adding yourself to the poetry site. I don't add to it as often as I do on the main blog.
Ha Ha. Funny you were thinking about things to scare the birds. Watching 'The English Patient' last night and the nurse made a garden and hung shards of glass around that tinkeled in the breeze. Nice effect and very pretty.
ReplyDeleteI don't need a scarecrow around here as I have not seen a crow in ages. Once we had too many, but then the West Nile hit here and they were the first to go along with the House Finches.
I like old crows, they are so intelligent. I also like your new photo of yourself. Great blog ~Dianne
Farmchick -- Hmm -- I find this plastic jug method interesting -- one I have not seen. Somehow I don't think I could relate to using plastic milk jugs for scaring crows away from the garden. Homemade scarecrows are part of our folk art tradition in our home gardens. Thanks for a side-look at another way of controlling crows -- barbara
ReplyDeleteDianne -- About the English Patient, you describe shards of glass being hung around the patient. Perhaps this is more of a mystic method to keep the evil spirits away. Glass and mirrors are often used in some cultures to scare away bad spirits. All very interesting. -- barbara
ReplyDeleteFriko -- Bird scarers that sound like guns shooting. Not heard of this techniques. I'm learning a bit about what people use to scare the birds away from their gardens -- all very interesting. Nice idea to make a scarecrow. Please show it on your post if you do. thanks -- barbara
ReplyDeleteIf I had a farm I would have a scarecrow but I wonder if they work. Crows are very, very intelligent birds and know that it is not a peson. We still need to have scarecrows though because they are fun!
ReplyDeleteBirdie -- You are so right -- crows are very smart. I really don't think too many devices would keep away crows. Native Americans built platforms in their gardens and would usually have women sit up on the platform to shoo the birds away from their growing corn, etc. I think this method would do the trick. Also the method that Friko mentions in her comment above. Scarecrows as we know them here in the US grew into a tradition in about the 1930s I believe. Now they are temporary folk art pieces that provide traditional connections to the garden and harvest time. -- barbara
ReplyDeleteThe Atlanta Botanical Garden has local artists create scarecrows each Halloween and they do an exhibit called "Scarecrows in the Garden". It's a lot of fun, but probably not nearly as good as happening upon a real one.
ReplyDeleteThere is an adorable scarecrow down the hill and around the corner from me. Will try and get a picture of it and send it to you. Maybe you can add it to your collection :)!
ReplyDeletemarcia -- I was so curious about your mention of "Scarecrows in the Garden" that I searched for it online and came up with this feature by the Atlanta Botanical Garden --
ReplyDeletehttp://www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org/events-classes/events/scarecrows-garden
Thanks for mentioning this -- barbara
Darcy -- oh, do send the photo, would love to see it. Do you know the background on the scarecrow? I will add it to my collection -- thanks -- barbara
ReplyDeleteI so love seeing scarecrows and I agree they are not as many as I remember in the past. I treasure every sight of them.
ReplyDeleteNCmountainwoman -- Scarecrows have fond memories for many folks. Many folks were raised in areas where they once were part of growing a garden. In the area where I live just about everyone grows some kind of home garden yet scarecrows are difficult to find. Thanks -- barbara
ReplyDeleteI love the last one! Those flowers she's growing are a better product than what a lot of brains produce!
ReplyDeleteSheri -- I got a great laugh out of your comment. I hadn't thought about the product but I certainly will every time I look at this particular scarecrow. Thanks -- barbara
ReplyDeleteHow did I miss this post? I love scarecrows, and your are such fun! I especially love the one wearing a basket for a hat and the lady scarecrow, festooned festively for the 4th of July!
ReplyDeleteThis golf course in Canada could use a scarecrow, though I think it would be no match for this wily klepto crow! ;-)
Laloofah -- Hey that video about the crow was a good one. Crows are spectacularly ingenious in their behavior. I have witnessed a few acts by them that were jaw dropping. For some reason -- people that put scarecrows in their gardens have a good sense of humor -- and I like that. Thanks for the comments -- barbara
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