Outdoor Brief

REPEAT WINNER

Artist claims second win in Nevada Duck Stamp Contest

Wildlife artist Adam Oswald should consider entering the Nevada Duck Stamp Art Contest more often.

The South Dakota artist entered the contest in 2005 and took home first place with a painting of two gadwalls in flight.

This year, Oswald entered the contest again, and again his work was selected the winner.

"This really caught me by surprise. I liked my entry and thought it might do well, but to actually win is very satisfying," Oswald said.

"Sometimes artists enter contests being very confident in their entry, but it's just not what the judges were looking for, and sometimes you just get caught off guard when they tell you that you have won."

The contest, sponsored by the Nevada Waterfowl Association and sanctioned by the Nevada Department of Wildlife, drew 28 entries from 20 states, including seven entries from Nevada.

All of the winning entries can be viewed on the NDOW website at www.ndow.org/wild/stamp/.

The winning entry in the annual art contest was selected by a panel of seven judges, including two Nevada wildlife commissioners.

Oswald's piece featuring a green-winged teal standing on a rock will now grace Nevada's 2011-2012 State Duck Stamp.

The subject of this year's contest was the green-winged teal.

The green-winged teal is North America's smallest dabbling duck, and though diminutive, is a highly successful species that has become widespread and abundant in North America.

The drake's breeding plumage includes a chestnut-colored head bisected by an iridescent green blaze that begins just before the eye to terminate in a short mane of black feathers.

"This is the first green-wing teal I have ever painted," he said.

"When I saw it was the species picked for this year's contest, I got excited, because I've always wanted to have a reason to paint one," Oswald said.

"I had great reference material and really focused on the colors and tried to create good contrast to make the drake jump off the background."

Oswald has enjoyed some success this year.

Besides winning the Nevada contest, his work also tied for fifth in the Federal Duck Stamp Contest. "I made a goal to work harder on my artwork this year than ever before, and so far it has resulted in twice as much artwork being done, and I'm seeing great results," he said.

The Nevada Duck Stamp sells for $10 and is required to be purchased by any person who hunts migratory birds in Nevada.

Stamps also can be purchased by collectors and the general public to support Nevada wildlife and habitat conservation efforts.

A limited number of prints may also be issued, and are available for fundraising for wildlife-related and other conservation organizations.