Robert Bateman (Prints)

Above The Rapids – Gulls And Grizzly (Print)

Artist's page

Offset Paper Edition Size 950
20.375" x 32.5" / 50.80cm x 81.28cm
Unframed (US Dollar): $199.00

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Also In:

23 x 37; Giclee Canvas Edition Size 180; $1295.00 U.S.

“Pacific salmon form an important part of the many bounties of North America’s wild
west coast. We all know the epic story of birth in a clear and beautiful mountain stream,
the growth of the fingerlings, the journey to the sea, the mysterious years in the deep,
distant ocean, then the mass migration to the place of their birth as handsome,
gleaming adults. Then there is the heroic struggle against the current, leaping
waterfalls and avoiding capture to the final destiny of courtship, mating and death.
The story is almost biblical in its scope.

The salmon is really responsible for the possibility of the great west coast aboriginal
nations with their highly evolved cultures. It was an important item in the European
settlers’ diet, then later in trade and commerce. And now we know of the health
benefits of the omega 3 fats and oils in salmon. recently, there have been sinister
discoveries of mercury levels that are too high. Now, many knowledgeable people
tell us of the threat that salmon farming is having on this precious wild heritage.

Salmon are an essential element for nourishment of wildlife from grizzly bears to
birds to other aquatic life and insects to fertilize the giant west coast lowland forest.
Salmon rivers have much bigger trees than non-salmon rivers. This fish is so important
and integral to society and nature that many people think it shoould be the poster
creature for the Endangered Species Act instead of the spotted owl.

Although I have not shown a salmon in this painting, you know that they are there.
Some are in the quiet water above the falls and others are still fighting their way
upstream. This is why the grizzly bear and gulls are there. This is the banquet time
so important to these species and many others. It is a far -ranging crime against
nature and against us to jeopardize the spectacular wild salmon.”