Greene Turtle Live Cam

What began out of necessity has been elevated to the status of art form. Hunters eager to put food on their tables began making birds from wood hundreds of years ago, hoping that the carvings would fool ducks, geese and other wild fowl; lure them in for a closer look; and make them easy targets.

These days, birds aren't the only creatures attracted by decoys; there are plenty of humans interested in waterfowl carvings, as well. Somewhere along the way, people realized that decoy carving takes true talent and that the men and women who specialize in this craft should be honored just as any other artist is. Indeed, the decoy has evolved from a hunter's tool to an object d'art.

Nowhere is that evolution more apparent than in Maryland, which not only boasts an array of museums that feature decoy collections, but which also plays host to a number of festivals centered around the carvings and their creators.