Don Balke (North Carolina, B. 1933) "Raccoon and Tulip Poplar" Signed lower right. Original Watercolor on Illustration Board.

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.

Charming masked rogues, Raccoons are native only to the Americas where, taking civilization in stride, they seem to prosper in almost any habitat. They live on the beaches of both oceans, thrive in southern bayous, and prosper in densely wooded areas where they can hide in rocky crevices and scamper among the trees. Should their homes be destroyed by the ever-advancing civilization, they merely take up residency in the cement culverts or the basements of whatever structures replace them. This adaptability sent the raccoon population soaring. Raccoons rob nests and cornbins, raid garbage pails, and move into other animals' dens. With agile fingers, they open refrigerator doors, twist doorknobs, and pick the cherries from a pie cooling on a window sill. Raccoons are famous for washing this stolen food. However, they don't actually wash the food, before eating, they merely dip it, making no distinction between clean and dirty water. This unique habit and their curious costumes of black and brown tail rings, a grizzled coat, and a black mask, identify the Raccoon.

Image Size: 12.25 x 14 in.
Overall Size: 19.75 x 22 in.
Unframed.
(B05271)

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