Don Balke (North Carolina, B. 1933) "Fox Squirrel and Live Oak" Signed lower center. Original Watercolor on Paper laid on 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.

Scrambling, twisting and finally falling on all fours, the Fox Squirrel cavorts in the massive branches of Georgia's strong state tree, the Live Oak. As the largest North American squirrel, this black ball of fur is clumsy. However, as if to atone for his awkwardness, the Fox Squirrel is friendly and much more charming than his graceful relatives. These friendly fellows entertain people by playing with pine cones and paper balls, turning somersaults in grassy meadows, holding climbing drills on tree branches and chasing each other through Georgia's magnificent oak groves. These humorous activities are accompanied by loud scoldings, noisy whistling and the rapid chatter through which Fox Squirrels communicate with each other. Like their smaller relatives, the Georgia squirrels instinctively twitch their bushy tails. Noting this nervous habit as a characteristic of the squirrel species, the Greeks named these friendly rodents squirrel, which means shadow tail. During the midwinter mating season the twitching tail is especially evident as the males busily preen and fluff. When finished, they curl their bushy, well-groomed tails over their smooth backs and begin to court the female Fox Squirrels. About forty-five days later, two to four young are born, each weighing only two-thirds of an ounce. In just ten weeks, the once tiny babies crack their own nuts, scold their friends and, like their parents, sleep away much of the lazy morning until the afternoon sun warms their sleek, black coats.

Image Size: 12 x 13.75 in.
Overall Size: 20.25 x 23 in.
Unframed.
(B05762)

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