Don Balke (North Carolina, B. 1933) "Raccoon" 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 commemorative cover for Balke's Baby Wildlife of the 50 States, postmarked June 1, 1984. Full of mischief, baby Raccoons are some of Nature's most lovable creatures. Born in the early spring, the adorable Raccoon kits are dressed in dark face masks, ringed tails and shiny black-button noses. The youngsters are usually born in a crevice or hollow tree in the woodlands. When the kits are old enough, they slide, tumble and fall out of the nest to follow their mother on their first adventuresome outing. Often, the mother Raccoon and her babies will venture into the cities where their playful curiosity leads them to many contacts with man. Taught by their mother, the young masked bandits soon learn to use their nimble front paws like tiny hands to open doors, turn on facets, raid trash cans and get into worlds of trouble. In the wild, the Raccoons use their sensitive hands to explore, poke and fish for food. Turning over stones and digging into tree stumps these animals search for insects, crayfish and frogs. In fact, the name "raccoon" comes from the Algonquian word "aroughcoune" which means "he who scratches with his hands." Because the Raccoon will eat almost anything, this humorous animal enjoys foods humans enjoy and feels right at home among people. However, if cornered, this animal will revert to its natural instincts. If her babies are threatened in any way, the mother Raccoon will boost her young up the nearest tree and attack ferociously. After the danger has passed, the Raccoon family will be on its way through the pastures, meadows and wooded areas of its Tennessee home. Image Size: 11.25 x 13 in. Overall Size: 18 x 20 in. Unframed. (B08799)