Don Balke: Moose

Artist: Don Balke
1932 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1978
Image Size: 14.5 by 13.5 inches
Overall Size: 17 by 14 inches
Medium: Water Color on Cold Press Illustration Board

Although drawings of the Moose were found in the cave drawings of the early Stone Age, the earliest known verbal description appears in Caesar's "Gallic War." Caesar reports that the Moose was hornless and that his legs had neither ankles nor joints. Therefore, they could not lay down. And once they fell, they could never get up again. To sleep, wrote Caesar, they simply leaned against a tree. Teutonic hunters would chip notches into these trees so that when the tired Moose tried to rest, both he and the tree would fall, thus becoming easy prey for the hunters. Whether this story is myth or not, nobody is sure. However, the tale is true to the extent that Moose do straddle long trunks, breaking them to obtain twigs, buds, and leaves from the soft parts of the tree. Later, the famous Roman naturalist, Plinius, stated that the Moose "had to graze backward because of his enlarged upper lip." This too, of course, is wrong. The Moose's upper lip is large, but this is an advantage, not a hindrance, for it allows him to strip leaves off branches. The short neck of the Moose makes it difficult for him to eat off the ground, but easy for him to feed from bushes or trees, where his favorite food is found. The Moose is best-known for its antlers -- among the most impressive in the entire animal kingdom -- which make him a prime game animal. Contrary to what many believe, Moose are not fierce animals, but are, in fact, quite shy.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the U.S. 13¢ Moose stamp issued June 10, 1978.

Artwork Copyright © 1978 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB05052

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