Don Balke (North Carolina, B. 1933) "Elf Owl Perched in Saguaro" 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 of the U.S. 33c Elf Owl Perched in Saguaro stamp issued April 6, 1999. One of the world's smallest owls, the Elf Owl is five to six inches high and weighs less than two ounces. Denizen of deserts, and woodlands and canyons of the American Southwest, this tiny bird is identified by its large yellow eyes, short tail, and streaked and spotted grayish-brown plumage. Being nocturnal, the Elf Owl is most often seen at dawn or dusk. Because of its small size, it isn't equipped to hunt large rabbits or rodents, and thus feeds primarily on moths, beetles, grasshoppers and small reptiles. Scorpions are also an important food source. Not called a "wise owl" for nothing, before eating a scorpion, this diminutive bird first removes the poisonous stinger. When feeding on flying insects, it simply snatches them in midair with its clawed feet. One of the most abundant birds in the desert Southwest, the Elf Owl roosts and nests in abandoned woodpecker holes in trees or saguaro cacti, where it is protected from the oppressive desert heat. Like other owl species, the Elf Owl does not build a genuine nest, but lays an average of 3 to 5 white eggs on the floor of the cavity or tree hole. When the eggs hatch, the young emerge blind and covered with whitish down. Both parents share in rearing the young. The male brings food to the female until the hatchlings are half grown, then feeds them directly. Image Size: 12 x 10.5 in. Overall Size: 13 x 12 in. Unframed. (B16360)