Don Balke: Mule Deer and Palo Verde

Artist: Don Balke
1932 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1979
Image Size: 13.75 by 12.125 inches
Overall Size: 23 by 20.125 inches
Medium: Water Color on Water Color Paper

Mule Deer cope with harsh western winters by following wise old does through the seasonal hazards. They travel in large herds, grazing peacefully on the vegetation at higher elevations. Eventually, mountain snows cover their food supply and Mule Deer move to low-country feeding grounds. By spring the herds scatter and they move toward their summer ranges. At this time, they shed their heavy gray coats, donning lighter, summer attire, and females give birth to one or two fawns. Competent and protective, female Mule Deer make excellent mothers. During the day they hide their fawns, returning in the evening to nurse them quietly in the gathering darkness. If mothers sense an enemy is near their young, they angrily stamp their feet. If this doesn't scare the intruder away, the doe attempts to lure him away by whistling and circling. No matter how attached fawns become to their mothers, they must eventually face life on their own. From their mothers they learn to search for food and how to flee if cornered by an enemy. During these teaching sessions, bucks show very little interest in child rearing, leaving the parental duties to the doe's discretion. This artwork portrays a Deer doe browsing with her fawn beneath Arizona's yellow blossomed state tree, the Palo Verde. Stockier than white-tail deer, Mule Deer can be identified by their large furry ears and small white tail with a black tip. Called "muley" or "jumping deer" by Arizona hunters, Mule Deer are favorites throughout western states.

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 © 1979 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): XB05791

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

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