Don Balke (B. 1933) "1991 America's State Fish - Salmon" Signed lower right. Original Watercolor on Illustration Board painting. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. The Salmon is among the best known of fishes and is eagerly sought after by both commercial and sports fishermen. The fish is a migratory species and spends part of his life in freshwater and part in the sea. Freshwater is essential for the Salmon to spawn, so adult fish journey far upstream to return to the same place on the river where their lives began. Even if they have crossed the Atlantic during their time in the sea, as they often do, they infallibly return to the same stream for spawning. The trek up the river is often a difficult one, for the fish must battle downstream currents, hungry predators and their own infirmity, for they are not the young robust fish they were when they descended the river months before. Yet, never are the Salmon more determined, more certain of their goal than when nature calls them up the river to spawn. Once at the spawning grounds, the Salmon bury their eggs deep in the river gravel. Their goal achieved, most of the spawning Salmon die. But, a few of these amazing fish live on to return to the sea with the young fish. Image Size: 10.5 x 13.5 in. Overall Size: 13 x 15.5 in. Unframed. (B13093)