Don Balke (North Carolina, B. 1933) "Red Eft" Signed lower left. 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 First Day Cover for the U.S. 37c Red Eft (Eastern Newt)stamp from the Northeast Deciduous Forest set issued March 3, 2005. The Eastern Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) is unique in that it undergoes two metamorphoses. A member of the salamander family, it begins its life in water as a gilled larva, but the juvenile stage of its life is spent on land, where it is known as a terrestrial Red Eft. After spending one to three years on land, it returns to the water as a fully mature adult. In August or September, when the Red Eft emerges from the water for the first time, it migrates to a temporary woodland habitat. Approximately three inches long, it is bright red or red-orange with as many as 21 black-ringed vermilion dots along its back. Its skin is toxic and the bright coloration serves as a warning to predators. During this stage, the Red Eft prefers wooded areas alongside ponds and streams. It has no gills, but the Red Eft must keep its skin moist. It is frequently seen crawling around after a heavy rain. as snails and worms that live in the humus In winter, the Red Eft hibernates under logs or stones. By the time it returns to the water for its final adult stage, its color will have changed to olive green or brown, although the red spots remain. It will also have developed a thicker tail that allows it to move with greater ease in water. Breeding in the spring, the female may produce as many as 300 to 400 eggs, attaching them one at a time to submerged vegetation. This painting shows an adult Red Eft returning to its underwater habitat.

Image Size: 7 x 6 in.
Overall Size: 14 x 13 in.
Unframed.
(B17375)

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