Don Balke (North Carolina, B. 1933) "Timber Wolf" Signed lower right. Original Watercolor on Illustration Board.
Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.
This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood commemorative cover for Balke's Baby Wildlife of the 50 States, postmarked May 11, 1984. In snug burrows dug deep into the sides of hills, the tiny pups of the Timber Wolf are born in the early spring. Born blind with sooty brown fur, the litter of five to fourteen helpless pups must totally depend upon their mother's milk for about a week after birth. Five to nine days later, their eyes open. Soon after, the babies are eating solid food and growing steadily. The fuzzy Wolf pups spend their days playing and romping through spring meadows . . . however they never wander far from the pack. At eighteen months the young Timber Wolves are well-grown and can now travel with their parents on hunting trips, staying within a close-knit family group for some time. Timber Wolves are devoted parents and providers who will adopt orphaned pups and raise them as their own. In fact, legends have told of lost children raised lovingly from infancy by wolves as in the tale of Romulus -- legendary founder of Rome and his twin brother Remus. When fully grown, the Timber Wolf may measure four to six feet and weigh up to 175 pounds. Once maintaining a range which was probably greater than any other land mammal, the Timber Wolf has been largely restricted by the advance of human civilization. Today, this wild dog has been brought to the edge of extinction, with only a few scattered packs prowling the wilds of Minnesota, Michigan, and Mexico.
Image Size: 10.75 x 12.75 in.
Overall Size: 20 x 22.25 in.
Unframed. (B08677)
Condition
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