Don Balke (North Carolina, B. 1933) "Green-winged Teal" Signed lower left. Original Watercolor painting on Illustration Board.

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

This painting originally appeared on the Fleetwood Commemorative Cover for the Waterbirds of the 50 States Vermont/Green-winged Teal.

Bottoms up, feeting kicking to maintain balance, the Green-winged Teal search the pond for seeds of pondweed and sedge. The slightest disturbance immediately ends the hunt and the birds -- the smallest of America's puddle ducks -- take to the air. Their flight is unusual, for the birds leap straight up into the air. Then, in a tightly-formed flock, the ducks level off. Like tiny pond fish who have sprouted wings, the Teal twist, turn and dive in unison. Observers -- campers, ornithologists and all others who venture into the countryside -- marvel at the incredible precision of the Green-winged Teals's flight. Many of these interesting waterbirds spend the winter south ... enjoying the warmth of Mexico and the West Indies. But, at the first hint of spring, the Green-winged Teal are drawn north to their nesting grounds in Canada. It is while in route to and from these nesting grounds on the Canadian plains that the Green-winged Teal are often spied in Vermont. The Teal are readily identifiable by the beautiful band of green plumage on their wings and by the male's bright green head patch. Indeed, whether viewed while on the wing, flying high above in a tightly-formed flock ... or spied while searching for food on one of Vermont's country ponds ... the Green-winged Teal is an attractive and welcome visitor to the Green Mountain State of Vermont.

Image Size: 10 x 12 in.
Overall Size: 17.25 x 19.25 in.
Unframed.
(B07767)

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