Don Balke (North Carolina, B. 1933) "Black Duck" 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 Alabama/Black Duck. The Black Duck is a rather inconspicuous creature of the waterfront with his dusky brown plumage. But, every so often, the bird gives a glimpse of the black-bordered violet feathers of his speculum. Despite the dull coloration which covers much of its body, the Black Duck is one of the quickest and most alert of all ducks. These ducks are well-known visitors to Alabama's shallow waters for they prefer shallow waters for feeding, like most dabbling ducks. Tail tipped straight up above the surface, yellowish bill probing in the mud, the Duck can find pondweed, wild celery and eelgrass to eat. On the waterfront, courting drakes pursue prospective mates and the pond resounds with the low, husky notes of the males and the quacks of the females. Since the Ducks are shy and very sensitive to disturbance, their nests are often well hidden in tall grasses or underbrush. In the neat, well-concelaed nest, fashioned in a tangle of grass, are six to twelve greenish-buff eggs. The female is the main caretaker of the downy youngsters. Soon after they hatch, they follow their mothers to the streams to gorge on insects for a couple of weeks. But, soon they join wandering bands of adult drakes. Later, when ice closes the freshwater feeding grounds, the Ducks return to their coastal haunts. Image Size: 10 x 12 in. Overall Size: 17.25 x 19.25 in. Unframed. (B06311)