Backyard biology art

Minnesotans seem to be proud of their connection to nature.  Recently, I've noticed how many displays of biological art Minnesota folk exhibit in their yards (front and back).  We have watched with great curiosity as the tree stump up the street has changed its shape over the summer.  At first we weren't sure it was biological at all, but now I think it is.



I think it might be a tree carving of a tree -- or perhaps a giant broccoli plant, which it sort of resembles from the back view. The front space is clearly designed to showcase something -- perhaps biological.



Owls are popular yard art, and are well known for their inability to scare away pesky woodpeckers that like to poke holes in wood siding.



The owl below (Olga) lived in my St. Thomas office for 21 years, where it dutifully scared away students who asked too many questions. It was carved from a black cherry stump with a chainsaw by a former colleague in the biology department.

 I have always been intrigued by this metal snail sculpture which resides on a corner across from Snail Lake Park in Shoreview. After running by it for several years, I thought it deserved to be photographed.

One of my favorite pieces of biological art is the giant frog at Tamarack Park in White Bear Lake, made from recycled materials. The long tongue protruding about 8 feet out from his head looks like the old seat of a tractor.  Various car parts, broken bottles, tires, and abandoned pillows make up his body.



Dead trees should of course be left in place to attract the woodpeckers away from your house, but there are some amazing artists that can turn dead trees into beautiful works of nature art.



Click on the image to enlarge it.
http://www.millionface.com/l/awesome-wild-life-sculpture-on-wood-pics/

I can't resist adding more of this great artwork -- probably not from Minnesota.