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A painting of a ruffed grouse has been chosen by a panel of judges as the winning entry in the 2019-2020 California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest.
The painting was created by Jeffrey Klinefelter of Etna Green, Indiana.
Sponsored by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the annual contest determined the official design for this year's California Upland Game Bird Stamp.
Klinefelter also captured the top spots in the 2018-19 and 2017-18 Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contests, as well as the 2009-10 California Duck Stamp Contest.
Artists submitted an original depiction of ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus). These medium-bodied forest dwellers are the only member of the genus Bonasa, and have a range extending across North America. In California, they inhabit riparian and conifer forests in the northwestern portion of the state.
Ruffed grouse have intricately barred or variegated plumage in shades of brown and gray, depending on environmental variables, with a conspicuous neck "ruff" and dark tail banding which they use to attract mates.
Their most notable courtship ritual, however, is their "drum display" – a low-frequency booming sound created by beating their wings against their bodies.
Contest entries were judged recently by a panel of experts selected for their knowledge in the fields of ornithology, conservation, art and printing. Designs were judged on originality, artistic composition, anatomical accuracy, and suitability for reproduction as a stamp and print.
The judges praised the composition and fine detail of the painting, specifically noting the accuracy of the feathers. They cited the excellent coloration with "good barring on the belly and speckle on the back" that blends nicely with the autumnal aspen forest in the background.
The panel also appreciated the in-flight depiction which allowed a full display of the grouse's intricate plumage, something Klinefelter found challenging yet rewarding.
"Ruffed grouse are agile fliers and I thought painting them in flight would make a good picture," he said. "The plumage blends well with the background – they have cryptic coloration."
He went on to say that while he has only seen ruffed grouse in captivity, he enjoyed imagining them in their native California habitat.
Broderick Crawford of Clayton, Georgia, placed second. Mark Thone of Shakopee, Minnesota, placed third. Buck Spencer of Junction City, Oregon, received honorable mention.
An upland game bird validation is required for hunting migratory and resident upland game birds in California.
The validation replaces the stamp through CDFW's Automated License Data System, but the stamp is still produced and available to hunters upon request.
Monies generated from upland game bird validation sales are dedicated solely to upland game bird-related conservation projects, hunting opportunities, and outreach and education.
CDFW annually sells about 170,000 upland game bird validations and distributes approximately 17,000 stamps.
Any individual who purchases an upland game bird validation may request their free collectable stamp by visiting www.wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/collector-stamps.
An order form is also available on the website for collectors who do not purchase a hunting license or upland game bird validation, or for hunters who wish to purchase additional collectible stamps.
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- Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The informal series of “Concerts with Conversation” at Upper Lake’s Tallman Hotel in the winter and spring of each year has become a favorite of Lake County music lovers over the years.
Five great Sunday afternoon concerts will headline the hotel’s 14th concert season beginning on Jan. 19.
“We really enjoy these concerts,” said Tallman owner Bernie Butcher. “It’s a relaxing Sunday afternoon with some of the finest musicians in the area.”
Leading off the series on Sunday, Jan. 19, will be Good Measure, a highly talented and entertaining group of Lake County musicians.
The quintet makes its own style of acoustic music which is influenced by folk, pop, rock & roll, jazz, Cajun, country and bluegrass.
Ingrid Larson, Doug Harris, Bill Bordisso, Sissa Harris and Richard Vassilaros blend three- and four-part harmonies accompanied by a wide variety of instruments. Good Measure has, and is, a lot of fun.
Blues lovers won’t want to miss the Feb. 9 concert with the Blue Wing’s favorite blues guitarist, singer and songwriter “Mighty Mike” Schermer paired with blues harp master and bandleader Andy Santana.
Schermer was a fixture on the West Coast scene for 20 years when he moved to Austin, Texas, to tour with the legendary band headed by Marsha Ball.
Headliners in their own right, Schermer and Santana have enjoyed getting together in smaller acoustic venues to give audiences a feel for the true origins of the blues.
The series turns to jazz on March 15 when one of the country’s leading male jazz vocalists, Kenny Washington, makes his second appearance in the Tallman series.
Recently dubbed “the Superman of the Bay Area jazz scene” by the San Francisco Chronicle, Kenny Washington is a jazz virtuoso who thrills audiences with his soulful interpretations, seemingly limitless range, and rapid-fire scatting.
The incomparable jazz guitarist Jeff Massanari will be backing Kenny for the Tallman show. Massanari is one of the most in-demand guitarists in the Bay Area. He has performed with the San Francisco Symphony at Davies Hall and Stern Grove as well as on tour in China.
“If you haven’t heard Kenny Washington in concert before, get ready for a jaw-dropping experience. I just love playing with him,” Massanari said.
The series returns to the blues and American roots music on March 29 with Terry Robb, one of the leading acoustic interpreters of the genre on the West Coast.
Robb is a Canadian fingerstyle guitarist, composer, arranger and record producer with 15 solo CDs to his credit. He is a member of the Oregon Music Hall of Fame and Cascade Blues Association Hall of Fame. His original compositions draw on the Delta blues, ragtime, folk, country and jazz traditions.
The Ukiah area has become a magnet for some of the country’s finest popular jazz musicians.
The Tallman series concludes on April 26 with one of the finest groupings of such musicians – the Pierre Archain Concept featuring vocalist Paula Samonte. Included in the “Concept” is veteran keyboard artist Barney McClure and percussionist Gabe Yanez.
Bassist Pierre Archain grew up in the South of France but emigrated to New York City in 1979 to be closer to the center of the jazz scene. He’s been a fixture in the Bay Area for many years and has assembled an amazing jazz group since moving to Ukiah recently.
The petite Paula Samonte is an effervescent performer with decades of national and international experience plus local gigs including as a soloist with the Ukiah Symphony.
The Sunday concerts run from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in Riffe’s Meeting House next to the Hotel. The venue seats only about 40, so people are encouraged to purchase tickets as far in advance as possible.
Tickets at $25 + tax are available online at www.Eventbrite.com. Coffee and cookies are served to guests and the Tallman is offering a 10-percent discount on hotel bookings that weekend for people purchasing concert tickets.
More information is available on the hotel website or by calling 707-275-2244, Extension 0.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
