Don Balke (North Carolina, B. 1933) "Moose and White Pine" Signed lower left. Original Watercolor painting on Paper laid on Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original which was published in the limited edition collection of philatelic proof cards issued by Fleetwood and the National Audubon Society for the Wildlife of the 50 States. Usually placid, bull Moose are tough enough to tackle any foe during the mating season. Their heavy flattened antlers spread up to six feet across and weigh up to eighty-five pounds, more than those of any other living animal. When a bull Moose hears the mating call of a lovelorn cow, he rushes toward the sound, crushing bushes underfoot and flourishing these magnificent antlers. If he meets a rival along the way he lowers his head, and the two duel for supremacy. The victor takes the cow as his wife, and Moose calves, normally twins, are born in May. By the time the children arrive, bull Moose have resumed their shy and placid manners, but now the cows display their fighting spirits. Over-protective mothers attack anything that even suggests her calves might be in danger. When angry, these powerful animals are one of nature's most awesome sights, as they stand up to seven feet tall and weigh up to 1,800 pounds. While long muzzles, thick lips and humped backs disqualify all Moose from woodland beauty contests, their short bodies and long legs make them one of the forest's most graceful animals. As the world's largest deer, Moose prefer the forest, and in Maine they can roam peacefully among stands of the state tree, the White Pine. But Moose also enjoy water, are excellent swimmers, and consider water lilies and other aquatic plants great delicacies. Image Size: 12 x 13.75 in. Overall Size: 20 x 25 in. Unframed. (B05933)