Don Balke (North Carolina, B. 1933) "Cardinal and Flowering Dogwood" Signed lower right. Original Watercolor on Illustration Board.

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

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood commemorative cover for Balke's Birds and Flowers of the 50 States, cancelled November 21, 1985.

The male Cardinal zealously guards his territory. He warns off rivals or enemies with fierce cries; if the intruder persists, the Cardinal races out to attack on short, rounded wings. He may even strike at his own image in a window, mirror, or automobile hubcap if he is riled enough. Cardinals may build their nests in backyards, hedgerows, along roadsides, and on farms, although they seem to prefer open woods. Found virtually everywhere in America except for the extreme north, the Cardinal flits about canals and nests in bushes along banks. Just as often, the Cardinal's nest may be hidden in a thicket, or in a sapling. To the Flowering Dogwood goes the honor of having been nominated the most beautiful native American flowering tree. Spring finds it covered with four-petaled flowers, each up to four in. across. The most common color of the wild Dogwood is white, but shades of pink to near red have been found. In autumn, the flowers turn flaming red, coinciding with the ripening of the small, berry-like fruits that are also brilliant red. The branch pattern is fairly horizontal with upturned branch tips, resulting in a rather flat-topped crown. Flowering Dogwoods may reach forty feet high with equal spread, although smaller sizes are more common.

Image Size: 11 x 12.75 in.
Overall Size: 19.25 x 21 in.
Unframed.
(B09797)

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