Golden Plover and Fireweed

by Don Balke

Title

Golden Plover and Fireweed

Artist

Don Balke

Medium

Painting - Watercolor On Cold Press Illustration Board

Description

Still clad in gold-spangled breeding plumage, the Golden Plover (Pluuialis dominica) heads south in September on a phenomenal ocean flight from Nova Scotia to South America. Later, the young follow over land and sea to join the older birds in the pampas. Upon their return in the spring, they choose for their nest site a ridge top on the open, Canadian tundra. Scratching a hollow in reindeer moss and lining it with other lichens, the birds make little attempt to conceal their nest from predators. At the turn of the century, the Golden Plover was nearly destroyed by hunters, but protection has now helped restore the species.

The Fireweed's (Epilobium angustifolium) bright, rosy purple flowers keep Canadian hillsides aflame from early spring until fall. Appropriately named, the Fireweed is often the first plant to spring up following a fire. The Fireweed ranges in height from one to eight feet, and thrives in Canadian roadside marshes and in burned-over scarred areas. The plant's light, fluffy seeds spill into the air like smoky clouds. Lance-shaped, olive-colored leaves provide the Fireweed an additional name, Willow Herbs. Originally from Eurasia, the Fireweed is now thoroughly established from the Yukon Territory south to Arizona.

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

Artwork Copyright © 1978 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 XB05172

Uploaded

March 21st, 2022

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