CROP circles have baffled people for decades and now a new phenomenon is stopping residents in their tracks on the state's Far North Coast.
The Daily Telegraph reports happy faces painted randomly on hay bales in a paddock on the outskirts of Lismore has given residents something to smile about and got them talking about whether it's vandalism or creative licence.
Landowner Tony Neill said that when he drove out of his driveway and saw the smiley faces for the first time it made his day.
He said it was artistic and a bit of a laugh, especially with the world in economic turmoil.
"With things around the world looking grim at the moment it's nice to see a happy face," said Mr Neill. "Whoever did this has artistic flare.
"So many cars have stopped to get photos."
Mr Neill said the faces - some with eyes opened and others with eyes closed - were branded a week ago after a full moon.
The artist painted about 30 of the 200 hay bales with black paint until running out and using red.
Despite a request over local radio, Mr Neill said no one had put their hand up to doing it.
"I thought it was high school students at the end of the year but maybe it was someone who just wanted to make people smile," he said, discounting fears the paint would affect the quality of the hay.
"I hope it makes the cattle happy because it won't hurt them."
