Ward Burton Foundation auctioning duck collection

Fans can now bid on a one-of-a-kind, life-size three-piece Mallard Duck Family specially commissioned and designed for The Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation. The 100 percent Northern Basswood ducks are hand carved and beautifully detailed with a hand-painted finish. The male and female ducks measure approximately 15 inches long x 6 inches wide x 4.5 inches tall, with the duckling in the same scale.

Bidding closes Nov. 16.

The originals will be used to create the mold for the Gold Signature Series. The series will be numbered, signed by the artist Patrick F. Radford and Ward Burton, and limited to 100. Each of the three pieces in the Gold Signature Series set sells for $250. The models are replicas of a male mallard drake and a female mallard hen and will be available for Christmas delivery. The duckling will be released in the spring 2008 in time for Easter delivery.

The picture shown here is of the male duck during the beginning stages of carving. Photos of the duck's progress will be posted on The Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation's Web site at www.twbwf.org in the Photo Gallery.

Patrick has been carving for almost 30 years. The first birds he carved came as a result of wanting decoys for duck hunting, but not being able to afford them. So using lumber scraps, he roughed out a dozen mallards. To learn more about Patrick and his carvings visit www.jenningsdecoycompany.com.

All of the proceeds raised from the auction of this item will benefit the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation through The NASCAR Foundation. The Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation seeks to promote education and awareness of wildlife conservation, habitat enhancement and natural resource stewardship.

Click to visit The NASCAR Foundation to bid on the Mallard Duck Family.