Don Balke (B. 1933) "North American Bison and Cottonwood" Signed lower right. Original Watercolor painting. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This watercolor was published in the limited edition collection of philatelic proofcards issued by Fleetwood and the National Audubon Society for the Wildlife of the 50 States. A traditional symbol of the Old West, the North American bison once roamed freely over the prairie, providing sustenance and survival to Native American Plains tribes. Also known as buffalo, the bison is the heaviest land animal in North America -- weighing up to 2,000 pounds. It holds its head low and has a distinctive shoulder hump and curved horns. Thick, coarse hair protects it from the harsh winters of the plains. Bison feed throughout the year on grasses, herbs, leaves, shrubs and twigs. Despite their bulky appearance, bison are fast runners, excellent swimmers and easily maneuver rugged mountain slopes. When shedding their winter coats, bison remove the hair by rubbing against a tree or a rock. They congregate in large herds comprised of thousands of smaller bands. Each band includes a dominant, mature bull with his harem of cows, younger adult bulls and bison of various ages. Herding behavior is essential to their survival, providing protection from predators such as pumas, wolves and bears. When a herd is attacked, the band forms a protective circle with bulls on the outside and cows and young in the center. For centuries bison were plentiful throughout North America and played a critical role in the economy of the Plains Indian tribes. With the arrival of white hunters, trappers and ranchers, however, bison populations were destroyed and, by the 1890s, the animal was almost extinct. In 1905, the American Bison Society was established to protect and preserve this endangered species. Image Size: 11.5 x 14 in. Overall Size: 20 x 21.75 in. Unframed. (B05274)