Do You Know Your State Bird?

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Christiana Briddell | 3 Comments

 

Each state and territory of the United States has a state bird chosen by its legislature. The first state birds were chosen in 1927 and the last state to chose its bird was Arizona in 1973. These favored birds were special to the heart of each state, and for different reasons.

Maryland, for example, chose the Baltimore Oriole—a species that only summers in the region—because its brilliant gold and black colorings match the coat-of-arms of Lord Baltimore, founder of Maryland, from which it also received its name.

The state of Utah chose the Sea Gull, which seems strange since it’s not a coastal state. The story goes that it was Sea Gulls who saved the farmers’ crops during a massive cricket infestation in 1848. Utah author Orson F. Whitney says that in the midst of the devastation of the crickets, "When it seemed that nothing could stay the devastation, great flocks of gulls appeared, filling the air with their white wings and plaintive cries, and settled down upon the half-ruined fields. All day long they gorged themselves, and when full, disgorged and feasted again, the white gulls upon the black crickets, list hosts of heaven and hell contending, until the pests were vanquished and the people were saved." I guess Utah never forgot!

Not every state bird is unique; the bright red Cardinal represents seven states: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. The Western Meadowlark was chosen by six states spread from Kansas to Oregon, and the Mockingbird by five southern states. Two states chose a chicken as their state bird—the Blue Hen Chicken in Delaware, and the Rhode Island Red in…you guessed it, Rhode Island!

In addition to the state birds, four states have wild game birds too. Massachusetts and South Carolina have anointed the prehistoric-looking Wild Turkey, and Georgia and Tennessee selected the sweet and onomatopoeic Bob White Quail. One state, Mississippi, also has a state waterfowl, the bold and bright Wood Duck.

Overboard Art makes pieces with nine of these birds including the Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird, Carolina Wren, Black-capped Chickadee, Northern Flicker, American Robin, and Baltimore Oriole—and the Wood Duck!

Find your state bird below:

Alabama –Yellowhammer (Northern Flicker)
Alaska - Willow Ptarmigan
Arizona - Cactus Wren
Arkansas - Mockingbird
California - California Quail
Colorado - Lark Bunting
Connecticut – American Robin
Delaware - Blue Hen Chicken
District of Columbia – Wood Thrush
Florida - Mockingbird
Georgia - Brown Thrasher
Hawaii – Nene (Hawaiian Goose)
Idaho - Mountain Bluebird
Illinois - Cardinal
Indiana - Cardinal
Iowa - Eastern Goldfinch
Kansas - Western Meadowlark
Kentucky - Cardinal
Louisiana - Brown Pelican
Maine – Black-capped Chickadee
Maryland -Baltimore Oriole
Massachusetts – Black-capped Chickadee
Michigan – American Robin
Minnesota - Common Loon
Mississippi - Mockingbird
Missouri – Eastern Bluebird
Montana - Western Meadowlark
Nebraska - Western Meadowlark
Nevada - Mountain Bluebird
New Hampshire - Purple Finch
New Jersey - Eastern Goldfinch
New Mexico – Roadrunner
New York – Eastern Bluebird
North Carolina - Cardinal
North Dakota - Western Meadowlark
Ohio - Cardinal
Oklahoma - Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Oregon - Western Meadowlark
Pennsylvania - Ruffed Grouse
Rhode Island - Rhode Island Red Chicken
South Carolina - Carolina Wren
South Dakota - Ring-necked Pheasant
Tennessee - Mockingbird
Texas - Mockingbird
Utah - California Gull (Sea Gull)
Vermont - Hermit Thrush
Virginia - Cardinal
Washington -Willow Goldfinch
West Virginia - Cardinal
Wisconsin – American Robin
Wyoming - Western Meadowlark
Guam – Guam Rail
Northern Mariana Islands – Mariana Fruit-dove
Puerto Rico – Puerto Rican Spindalis
U.S. Virgin Islands – Bananaquit

State Game Birds
Georgia – Bobwhite Quail
Massachusetts – Wild Turkey
South Carolina – Wild Turkey
Tennessee – Bobwhite Quail

State Waterfowl
Mississippi – Wood Duck

For more information check out: http://www.50states.com/bird/, and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._state_birds

 

Posted in state birds

Pintail Drake Circa 1975 by Don Briddell - Sold for $1,912

Posted on February 23, 2012 by Christiana Briddell | 2 Comments

Occasionally, Don Briddell's original artwork ends up in auction houses across the country. Here is a Pintail Drake that sold in 2003 for $1,912. The original owner, Russel Aitken bought the piece in the 70's for approximately $150 if Don's memory serves him well. Quite a good investment!

Posted in Auction, Original Artwork

Collector's Notes

Posted on February 23, 2012 by Christiana Briddell | 0 Comments

Collecting Art and Sculpture

Art and sculpture, along with collectibles of all sorts, accumulate value over time. An object that can survive the vicissitudes of the years earns collector points just for showing up in the future. An object that is a labor of love—where someone has carefully crafted an outcome—further adds to its value. When the object is a poignant reminder of its times, it acquires additional value, and when the object speaks to us with emotion and brilliance, it becomes a treasure. These are all things artists strive to bring together in the work they do—whether it be a humble endeavor or monumental in scope. Overboard Art, in its modest way, attempts this near impossible mission: to be worthy of keeping.

At Overboard Art, the question we ask at the end of the day is “Would this (the work that we have done) be something we ourselves would take home?” We keep working until it is right and if it is just flat-out wrong, we recycle it.

The old saying in collecting goes, “First of all, like it.” Whether or not it is a good investment is a secondary issue. If it is something you like, you will never be disappointed.  And when the object finally becomes a collectible, whoever owns it, will appreciate the husbandry and care you have given the piece through the years. 

Posted in Collection