Don Balke: Blue Jay

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

One of the most easily recognized and best known birds in North America is the handsomely crested Blue Jay. Originally a bird of the woods, the Blue Jay has now adapted itself to urban parks and gardens. Well known for its mimicry, the Blue Jay is particularly adept at imitating the harsh screams of several hawks. It often screeches at cats and snakes or merely for the pleasure of making a raucous shout. The Blue Jay displays its versatile vocal repertoire most often in autumn, when other birds are quiet. Most familiar of all is the fretful shriek of jay, jay, jay. Henry Thoreau remarked on the "unrelenting steel-cold scream of a jay, unmelted, that never flows into a song, a sort of wintry trumpet, screaming cold; hard, tense, frozen music, like the winter sky itself." However, Blue Jays become silent and furtive during the nesting season. After a courtship in which the male ceremoniously feeds his mate, the pair collect twigs which they haul around until a suitable nest site is found. Unlike many birds, Blue Jays eat almost anything from acorns to mice. In fact, Blue Jays have acquired a dishonorable reputation as devourers of eggs and the young of songbirds. Occasionally, Jays do attack and kill other birds, but they do not endanger the survival of any species. Cunning, inquisitive, full of mischief in the woods, the Blue Jay is part court jester and part colorful, blustery prince.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the U.S. 13¢ Blue Jay 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): XB05054

US$ Price: Reg. $1,250.00 Today $625.00

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