"Mallard in Flight"

Original Oil on Canvas

Arlene Morgan’s Mallard in Flight is a winter scene portraying the true flight of this duck seeking to maneuver landing. The emphasis is on the vibrant feather colors, and the bird watcher knows of few more thrilling sights than Mallard dropping down with feet out-thrust to find the first spring water, as depicted in this painting.

Painted in 1982, (21.5w x 17.5h, framed; as noted in one of the photos), Arlene Morgan gave emphasis to the plight of the continuing loss of prairie nesting habitat, particularly grassy uplands, which had caused a long-term decline in continental Mallard populations. The continuing loss of prairie nesting habitat, particularly grassy uplands, has caused a long-term decline in continental Mallard populations.

Droughts during the 1980s and 1990s have created unfavorable conditions ducks, and many former wetlands have dried out and are now farmland. Concern for the long-term decline in prairie Mallards resulted in a continent-wide effort to benefit waterfowl and other wetland wildlife. The North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) signed in 1986 has specific habitat management goals aimed at restoring Mallard populations on prairie breeding habitat and also in their migration and wintering ranges such as Texas.

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Arlene Morgan was born in San Antonio, Texas and now lives in Corpus Christi where she teaches fine art classes and workshops while researching subject matter and perfecting her paintings for exhibits and galleries. The realistic quality and attention to detail of her paintings appeal to corporate and private collector's world wide, and she is represented by many galleries.

Her work is included in the permanent collection of the Corpus Christi Museum of Art, and one of her paintings was presented to Governor Ann Richards by the Texas State Aquarium. For her achievements in the field of art she was included as a 1984-1985 Notable Women of Texas.

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