This is so fabulous! I am now tempted to go out in the garage and find my old carving tools and grab a branch off of something to try my hand at this. I can't decide if it has a more British influence or a more Nordic one. But its a delightful piece and a wonderful capture.

beautiful color!

Aw its beautiful, why did you use that title? lol. I must say it reminds me of Gandalf as well Marilyn, but I think he is rather nice. Especially as a garden ornament, I think it his pointed hat, a bit gnome like. Excellent capture, a wonderful find. Bravo!!!!!

He looks so regal, so careworn! He makes a great Garden Guardian. Okay, the hat is wrong, but he reminds me of a Russian Domovoi (A guardian of the house) and it's strangely fitting that he's in a garden, because that's where they usually appear, at night. Usually they take on the appearance of the man of the house, unless it's a domovikha (a female one, who then looks, presumably, like the lady of the house.) That's what I think of when I see this image. But maybe that's because of a certain someone who shall remain nameless. Anyway...this is a fantastic image, I love the aged, sculpted, craggly aspect of the face, and the unexpected, yet somehow fitting metalwork that's beautifully rusted! It looks like you applied a diffusion filter to this as well, since the green is so crisp and clear but has a somewhat smeared look to it. Whether there's a filter or not, it's brilliantly done and the splashes of green add a different sort of life to this image and keep the eye deliciously entertained while exploring the different parts of this image. There's so much to see and enjoy in this. I love it!

a wonderful find. n ow you got magic in the garden. cool shot too

it does bring gandalf to mind...im with mrs lubner, always wanted to try that...anyway,great image, thanks for sharing

Terrific, Marliyn!!!

What a face, it looks very humorous taken you title into account. :P

Not familiar with the quote, Marilyn, but he sure is a nice piece of sculptural artwork for the garden. Always interesting finds in people's gardens including old beds, toilets and sinks.

Oh I love this and the colors are great. I love gnomes.

I thought that bed was magical ... his face is a bit like mine. My mother called it 'well lived in' ... I'm sure she was just being kind. Actually I think it's a magnificent piece of carving, thanks for spotting and sharing it! Mike

cool looking tiki doll! great capture!

I´m not his mother - I think I should know - but I love him, too.... So expressive, the face. Looks like Gandalf. We here in Germany have a small local mountain called "giant´s mountain", and there lives a giant with the name "Ruebezahl". He`s alive, it seem.. Thanks for sharing! A great artwork, the woodcarver and your pic, too..

"I am Gandalf, and Gandalf means me!" I looked it up. I read those books about 35 years ago, and have forgotten something like 100% of the whole thing! I love the face, although I'm nobody's mother. Great shot, and the colors are wonderful!

Death to all who trespass on these sacred grounds!!! Wow, talk about chiseled features! Fine clarity, textures and lighting effects featured in this pic of the totem, Marilyn! The character displayed reminds me of C. Aubrey Smith (minus the magician's hat, of course), a British actor noted for his movie roles in the 1930s-40s.

Great Image. Very nice sculpture.

Excellent photo, it certainly captures the essence of the figure. Love the title. Tony :-)

Cute little teekie God, great lighting, gotta love that new camera Marilyn. Its extended your creativity!!