Eastern Fox Squirrel and Southern Live Oak

by Don Balke

Title

Eastern Fox Squirrel and Southern Live Oak

Artist

Don Balke

Medium

Painting - Watercolor On Watercolor Paper

Description

Scrambling, twisting and finally falling on all fours, the Fox Squirrel cavorts in the massive branches of Georgia's strong state tree, the Live Oak. As the largest North American squirrel, this black ball of fur is clumsy. However, as if to atone for his awkwardness, the Fox Squirrel is friendly and much more charming than his graceful relatives. These friendly fellows entertain people by playing with pine cones and paper balls, turning somersaults in grassy meadows, holding climbing drills on tree branches and chasing each other through Georgia's magnificent oak groves. These humorous activities are accompanied by loud scoldings, noisy whistling and the rapid chatter through which Fox Squirrels communicate with each other. Like their smaller relatives, the Georgia squirrels instinctively twitch their bushy tails. Noting this nervous habit as a characteristic of the squirrel species, the Greeks named these friendly rodents "squirrel", which means shadow tail. During the midwinter mating season the twitching tail is especially evident as the males busily preen and fluff. When finished, they curl their bushy, well-groomed tails over their smooth backs and begin to court the female Fox Squirrels. About forty-five days later, two to four young are born, each weighing only two-thirds of an ounce. In just ten weeks, the once tiny babies crack their own nuts, scold their friends and, like their parents, sleep away much of the lazy morning until the afternoon sun warms their sleek, black coats.

Please note the "Fine Art America" watermark will not appear on the painting or any print reproduction.

Artwork Copyright © 1979 Wind River Studios Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the Copyright. WRSH Stock Number XB05762

Uploaded

March 22nd, 2022

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