Don Balke (North Carolina, B. 1933) "Moose" Signed lower left. Original Watercolor painting on Paper.
Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.
This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood commemorative cover for the Baby Wildlife of the 50 States, postmarked March 14, 1985.
The deep, green forests that blanket Maine's rugged wilderness areas are home to many species of America's wildlife. Among the most interesting is the magnificent American Moose which leads a solitary life in the woodlands of the north. This great deer eats twigs, leaves, and bark, and loves to wade far out into mountain ponds for water lilies. With its great head and rubbery lips, the Moose is able to pluck tender water plants from the lake bottom. The Moose is able to distinguish many types of water plants with its muzzle, and selects the most tender for its food. The long legs and high-shouldered bodies of these great animals allow them to wade through water and snow with amazing speed and grace. During the fall mating season, the males battle for dominance with their massive racks of antlers. The victor wins the cows, and the baby Moose, usually twins, are born in May. Unlike other deer, the young Moose are born dark brown, and with no spots. The infants need no protective coloring because their mother is so aggressive and attentive that she will keep even wolves and bears at bay. The mother will teach her young how to forage through the woods for tender saplings and how to search the river bottoms for aquatic plants. The young will stay with their mother for their first year. The following spring ... just before the new babies arrive ... the young Moose will leave their mother to lead their own solitary lives in the beautiful mountain wilderness of Maine.
Image Size: 12.25 x 12.25 in.
Overall Size: 20 x 18 in.
Unframed.
(B08616)
Condition
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