Sunday, September 8, 2013

Federal Duck Stamp Contest to be held at Maumee Bay State Park




 
 Artwork of Bob Hines

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in partnership with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, is proud to announce the 2013 Federal Duck Stamp Contest to select the 2014-2015 Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, also known as the Duck Stamp.

The most prestigious federally-recognized art contest in the nation, the Federal Duck Stamp Contest will be held Sept. 27-28, 2013 at the Maumee Bay State Park Conference Center in Oregon, Ohio.
The Federal Duck Stamp Program is the most successful conservation program in our nation’s history, and has generated more than $850 million to help protect and conserve more than 6.5 million acres of wetlands and grasslands for wildlife habitat. By purchasing a Federal Duck Stamp, hunters, birders and wildlife enthusiasts continue to contribute to the conservation of America’s natural resources.

The Federal Duck Stamp Contest will this year honor 1946 Duck Stamp artist and conservation leader Bob Hines. Biographer John D. Juriga, M.D. is author of the book Bob Hines: National Wildlife Artist. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will honor Hines by hosting a public dedication ceremony for the Bob Hines Refuge Ranger Station at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge on Thursday, September 26, 2013. Learn more in an interview with Juriga about his interest in wildlife artist and conservationist Bob Hines.

 
Duck Stamp by 1946 Artist and Conservationist Bob Hines


The contest will culminate in selection of the nation's 81st Duck Stamp and will be a celebration of one of the world's most successful wildlife habitat conservation programs. Viewing of the artwork and judging process is free and open to the public.




 
Bob Hines
1912 -1994

 
Ohio native Robert Hines (1912-1994) holds the distinction of being the only National Wildlife Artist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Hines developed his love of nature growing up along the verdant banks of the Sandusky River in Fremont, Ohio. Despite almost no formal art training, Hines’ innate talent led him to become an internationally recognized wildlife artist and a pioneer of the conservation movement. His work illustrated a weekly newspaper feature, and numerous wildlife guides and books – including those by author Rachel Carson (a close personal friend) and Robert McClung (of Grizzly Adams fame).
 
In 2012, the Hayes Presidential Center hosted the exhibit The Wildlife Art of Bob Hines in celebration of the 100th year of Hines’ birth. The exhibit featured more than 100 pieces of original Hines artwork, published works, and manuscripts from the private collection of John Juriga, M.D. Juriga published his biography of Hines as part of the centennial commemoration.  
 

 
 

Thursday, September 5, 2013

A Birdseye View of the Battle of Lake Erie

 
A Birdseye View of the re-enactment  of the Battle of Lake Erie
 
 
during the Bicentennial of the War of 1812: Battle of Lake Erie
as seen from the B-17 "Yankee Lady"
 
Jess Maiberger and her dad with the pilots of the "Yankee Lady."


On the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, all of us here in Northwest Ohio have been reliving the War of 1812 through museum exhibits and re-enactments. On Labor Day weekend we were privileged to experience the Tall Ships and a re-enactment of the Battle of Lake Erie.  Thousands witnessed the event that took place on Lake Erie not far from Put-In-Bay on South Bass Island, where Oliver Hazard Perry sailed out to meet the British fleet 200 years ago. There were hundreds watching the action from their boats, but my assistant Jess Maiberger and her dad had one of the most unique views of the battle! They were aboard the "Yankee Lady," one of only 9   remaining  WWII B-17s! She is owned by the Yankee Air Museum of Belleville, Michigan
 
 
"Yankee Lady" and her pilot

 
Another view of the "Yankee Lady" by Jess Maiberger