Don Balke (North Carolina, B. 1933) "Cottontail Bunnies" 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 Cover for the U.S. 20c Smokey Bear stamp block issued August 13, 1984. Underneath the waving boughs of a tall oak tree is a female rabbit, called a doe, busying herself with the construction of a nest. Sometimes, she will find an abandoned skunk nest or other depression in the earth . . . and other times she will paw into the ground herself to form a suitable hole. Then she lines the nest with soft warm fur from her underbelly and straw from the surrounding meadows and fields to make a soft and snug resting place for her newborn bunnies. The proud mother gives birth to a half a dozen or so babies -- which are born with their eyes closed, naked and helpless. During the days that follow, the mother scampers about near the nursery, munching on tender grasses and buds, so she may return in the evening to nurse her ravenous bunnies. Within eight days the bunnies open their eyes . . . and only two weeks after birth they venture out into the world, eager to explore the forest. The bunnies curiously nose a butterfly. Image Size: 11.75 x 11.75 in. Overall Size: 20 x 20 in. Unframed. (B07913)