Don Balke (North Carolina, B. 1933) "Belgium/Mallard Duck" 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 International Audubon Fund First Day Cover issued February 9, 1989. Due inpart to its wide distribution, the mallard is perhaps the world's most easily recognized duck. It inhabits parts of Europe, Central Asia, North Asia, North America, several islands in the Pacific Ocean and even parts of Australia. This hardy waterfowl can be found in nearly all humid zones of Belgium as well, and as a result of crossbreeding with ducks in city parks, it even inhabits many Belgian towns. Mallards are dabbling ducks. They bob downward to reach food in the water, or they stir the mud. They feed not only during the day but also at night, mainly on insects, molluscs and plants like duckweed. These ducks form pairs during noisy courtship displays, and break up soon after the eggs are laid. At this time, the drakes leave the hens and take to the marshes to moult. By July, the hens and ducklings have also left the breeding grounds for other climes. Image Size: 19 x 17.25 in. Overall Size: 20.5 x 18.5 in. Unframed. (B12331)