Don Balke: American Mink and Tulip Poplar

Artist: Don Balke
1932 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1980
Image Size: 13.625 by 12.125 inches
Overall Size: 23 by 20.125 inches
Medium: Water Color on Water Color Paper

Minks roam the forests both day and night. Frolicking among Kentucky's state tree, the Tulip Poplar, they play joyfully in lakes and steams. And, these large, sometimes aquatic animals snack throughout their wanderings. While on land they eat small game birds, rodents, rabbits or insects. In the water they cleverly catch frogs, fish and other aquatic delicacies. Each spring, almost six weeks after mating, female Minks give birth to their kits. These tiny babies, from four to eight in a litter, weigh only a fifth of an ounce. During the first five weeks of life, Mink kits keep their eyes closed. Their mothers protectively watch over them during this period, carrying them gently by the neck on land and hauling them piggy-back style in the water. Once their eyes open, kits grow rapidly. In six months they are fully grown and display their coveted fur coats. At this time the young scatter and find homes of their own. Without their parents' protection, however, young Minks are sometimes caught by great horned owls or fall victim to fur trappers. Mink is one of the most valable furs in today's market, and about half a million wild mink are trapped each year. This supply of wild Mink is also augmented on hundreds of ranches where the animals are raised for their valuable coats.

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 © 1980 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): XB06066

US$ Price: $1,250.00

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