Don Balke: Western Meadowlark and Indian Paintbrush

Artist: Don Balke
1932 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1978
Image Size: 14.25 by 11.75 inches
Overall Size: 24.125 by 20.125 inches
Medium: Water Color on Water Color Paper

In plumage there is little to distinguish the Western Meadowlark from its Eastern counterpart. Both have streaked upper parts, a yellow breast with a black V, and white outer tail feathers. The Westerner, however, is somewhat paler. In the realm of song, all resemblance ceases. Unlike the Easterner's plaintive, whistled song, the Western Meadowlark's phrases contain hints of the wood thrush and the Baltimore oriole, with some of the bobolink's exuberance added for good measure. Both species of Meadowlarks overlap in the central states, but do not inter-breed. Females apparently choose their mates on the basis of their distinctive call notes.

The Indian Paintbrush is one of a group of plants that seem, at first glance, to bear bright flowers, but a closer look shows that appearances are sometimes deceiving. Actually the tubular creamy flowers, about one inch in length, are almost hidden by the sepals, which are tipped with orange red, and light-red bracts, which are one-to-two inches long. The real leaves are green. They, and the rest of the plant, are covered with short fine hairs. This member of the figwort family grows to about two feet in height, and near the ground it divides into stalks which in turn have little branches. This Wyoming plant resembles a paintbrush.

This art was originally published in the limited edition collection of philatelic proofcards issued by Fleetwood® and the National Audubon Society for the Wildlife of the 50 States.

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): XB05670

US$ Price: $1,250.00

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