Don Balke (North Carolina, B. 1933) "Mountain Goat" Signed lower left. 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. Wildlife of the 50 States 22c Mountain Goat/Washington stamp issued June 13, 1987. A breathtaking sight as they stand precariously at the edge of a precipice, Mountain Goats have a certain grace about them as they play king-of-the-hill among America's most remote peaks. Here, in the most remote retreats of the mountains, they scale incredible heights, jumping from precipice to precipice with sure-footed grace. Their rough-padded hooves, split into two spreadable toes, are perfectly suited to the rugged, precipitous mountain environment. Both nannies and billies sport beards and fleecy long shaggy outer coats that protect them from the wind. They are easily distinguished from their close relatives, the Big Horn Sheep, by long, thick, black horns which grow straight up, then curve back. Billies, who generally travel alone or in groups of two or three, become rivals at mating time, occasionally butting each other, but behaving gently, almost reverently, toward the female. By late spring the kids are born. The young Goats usually weigh about seven pounds at birth and within a half an hour can jump from rock to rock. During that time, they must learn about finding shelter and food in the hostile alpine environment. Image Size: 11 x 10.5 in. Overall Size: 20 x 19.5 in. Unframed. (B10877)