Don Balke (North Carolina, B. 1933) "Cougar on Rock" Signed lower right. Original Watercolor painting on Paper.

Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.

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.

Fascinating and mysterious wild Cougars range among Idaho's majestic state trees, the Western White Pines. Throughout areas of primitive wilderness, they search for food, roaming rugged mountains during daylight hours. Weak or diseased deer make their favorite meal and Cougars keep herds of deer from starving by killing feeble animals. Swift, sure-footed and extremely shy, Cougars are rarely seen by human beings. Their tawny coats blend with the wilderness, but if accidentally approached by men, Cougars will usually flee rather than attack. This anti-social code of behavior extends even among themselves. Except for a brief mating period, sleek Cougars lead lonely lives. After mating, males resume their solitary wanderings and about ninety days later females give birth to as many as six kittens. At first the kittens feed only on their mother's milk. Eventually she brings bones and meat scraps home for the little ones and they are gradually weaned. As they grow, kittens are cuffed and tumbled, taught to obey and trained to hunt. By their second birthdays they become independent and they, too, take up the solitary existence common to their parents. Cougars, also known as mountain lions, panthers and pumas, once ranged over much of North and South America. Today they are usually confined to mountainous Western states, and their numbers dwindle as civilzation presses closer.

Image Size: 11.75 x 14.25 in.
Overall Size: 20.25 x 24.25 in.
Unframed.
(B06103)

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