Don Balke (North Carolina, B. 1933) "Ross' Goose" Signed lower right. Original Watercolor 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 Montana/Ross's Goose. For seventy-seven years after its first scientific description in 1861, the Ross' Goose was considered a mysterious migrant that summered somewhere in the immense wilderness of the Canadian Arctic. The birds' breeding grounds reamined an enigma until 1938 when a nesting colony was discovered in the Perry River region of the Northwest Territories -- the mystery was at last solved. The Ross' Goose, which is a relatively rare species, is quite small and covered with snow-white feathers. In contrast to its pure white plumage, the Goose bears distinctive black wing tips that enhance its beauty. Both adults and young are very similar in appearance to the Snow Geese, from which they can be distinguished only by their smaller size and high bills. The Ross' Geese begin northward migration in early March, and by April wave upon wave of the magnificent birds begin arriving in Montana. After a short stopover in Montana, they continue their northward journey until they reach their final destination, the Great Slave Lake, in late May. There, using willow, birch grass and moss, the female builds her nursery. She carefully lines the nest with her own soft down and feathers and incubates her eggs for about twenty days. The male bird always stands guard to protect the family while the female is incubating the clutch. Once hatched, the young quickly take to the water. As the short Canadian summer wanes, the Ross' Geese form flocks for their migratory journey south.

Image Size: 10 x 12 in.
Overall Size: 17.25 x 19.25 in.
Unframed. (B08133)

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