2009 FEDERAL DUCK STAMP CONTEST

Adam, John, and I traveled to Baltimore, Maryland last weekend for the Federal Duck Stamp Contest.
Shown above is the winning entry, a widgeon painted by Maryland artist Robert Bealle. I was inspired by Mr. Bealle's perserverance. He won second place in the 1983 Duck Stamp contest, and has pursued his goal of winning first ever since. He was in the audience and it was a very moving event to have him win.

This absolutely breathtaking painting of Wood Ducks won second place. It is by Scot Storm, who won first place in the Federal in 2004 when Adam won the Junior. Scot is a fantastic artist and a very kind and gracious person.

This Gadwell entry by Jeffrey Moberly of Oklahoma won third. As usual, we had a fantastic time, and enjoyed so much seeing the beautiful artwork as well as meeting the artists, stamp collectors, conservationists, and Fish and Wildlife Service staff that make this contest so important. To date, sales of Duck Stamps (which serve as hunting permits and entrance to National Wildlife Refuges) have generated funds to purchase and maintain 5.3 million acres of wetlands. As we have seen from Katrina and other major flooding along the Mississippi, etc. the lack of wetlands not only adversely effects ducks and wildlife, but very much hurts people as well.