Don Balke (North Carolina, B. 1933) "Cardinal" Signed lower right. Original Watercolor painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day of Issue Maximum Card for the U.S. 30c Cardinal Flora and Fauna Series stamp issued June 22, 1991. A flash of red streaking through densely wooded park land accompanied by a sweet, clear trill indicates the presence of one of North America's most popular songbirds -- the cardinal. Often referred to as a cardinal grosbeak or redbird, the cardinal is common to North and South America but maintains a decided preference for the temperate regions of the Midwestern and eastern United States. While both the male and female possess a distinctive crest, the male outshines its mate in brilliant plumage. He jauntily sports the deep crimson feathers and black-ringed beak associated with the species, while her dun-colored mantle provides camouflage for brooding. Cardinals begin to mate in April and frequently breed until mid-September. The female often takes three to five days to build her cup-shaped nest in bushes or hedges close to houses, and lays from two to five eggs. Two weeks later the downy young hatch, and within nine days they are on their own. Within a year the juveniles are able to sing, warbling the flute-like, descending song which characterizes the species. Image Size: 14.5 x 17.75 in. Overall Size: 14.25 x 17.75 in. Unframed. (B13149)