Scarecrows as art - II

Scarecrow, from the First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest • photo © 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

Here are yet more scarecrows from the Calistoga Scarecrow Contest at Indian Springs Resort and Spa, in Calistoga, California. This first, wine-loving fellow definitely isn't in Kansas anymore...

Scarecrow, from the First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest • photo © 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

... and he is generous with his wine, too. No scaring crows away here!

Scarecrow by Gina Cerda, from the First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest • photo © 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

Gina Cerda's metal wino scarecrow looks a whole lot more forbidding. A good reminder to keep all things in moderation!

Scarecrows, from the First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest • photo © 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

Then there is this couple, with a tub of grapes ready to stomp (and she looks fresh from the spa – is that a mud mask she's wearing? With cucumbers over her eyes?), who are "blown away by the Napa Valley." These really do make me grin. I love seeing what people come up with!

Scarecrow by Beverly Wilson and Carl Ciliax, from the First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest • photo © 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

Keeping to a local theme, especially for the foodies among us, Beverly Wilson and Carl Ciliax created this very creative chef, whose recipes ought to scare off any self-respecting crow.

Scarecrow by Beverly Wilson and Carl Ciliax, from the First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest • photo © 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

Crow's Nest Soup, Crab Crow-quettes, Crow-Quilles St. Jacques, and Blackbird Pie are on the Specials Menu. What's the matter – doesn't that crow read?

Scarecrow by Sharie Renault and Linda Wilds-Beltz, from the First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest • photo © 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

Here's a Day of the Dead Frida Kahlo scarecrow, complete with paintbrush and palette, created by Sharie Renault and Linda Wilds-Beltz. She looks even more colorful than her palette!

Scarecrow, from the First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest • photo © 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

Frida is accompanied by Señor Death, with his scythe. In spite of the smile, I wouldn't want to meet him on a dark night....

Indy Crow, by Connor Hitt, from the First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest • photo © 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

Here is Indy Crow (notice the Indiana Jones-ish hat and whip?), created by the contest's youngest scarecrow maker, Connor Hitt, who is in third grade. Indy has a skull on the other side, too.

Connor Hitt and Indy Crow, from the First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest • photo © 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

Great photo of Connor with Indy Crow, isn't it?

Scarecrow, by Bailey, from the First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest • photo © 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

Bailey's bone-and-Spanish-moss-bedecked scarecrow is another one I wouldn't want to meet on a dark night....

Scarecrows, from the First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest • photo © 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

And, last but not least, this family of man-and-woman symbols.... Two fellows who work at Indian Springs put these up, grinning, while I was working on my scarecrow last Tuesday. When I told one of them how much I enjoyed it, he said, "Aww... it's just random." Nyaaah... you can read all kinds of things into it....

The scarecrows will be up into November. The best way to see them is to stroll around the grounds at Indian Springs – you'll miss a lot if you only stay in your car.