'Owl' by William Service with drawings by Walter Richards

   
     Throughout his career, Wally used Animals for subjects in his fine art and illustrations.   Popular choices included cats, dogs, bears, birds of all kinds, dear, fish; and much more.  You name it, chances are, he drew it.  In this case he made several drawings of an owl for the book 'Owl' written by William Service.   The (very short) novel was published in 1969, and its charm reminds me of Gavin Maxwell's autobiographical novel about his relationship with an adopted Iraqi-born Sea Otter in 'Ring Of Bright Water.'   

     These illustrations are fantastic examples of the enthusiasm Walter DuBois Richards had for drawing wildlife, even if that wildlife was in the form of a pet, such is the case in Owl.  

Boys' Life Magazine, June 1965: "The Image"

     Many of Walter DuBois Richards' illustrations were composed in black and white, like the one below.  This may be a lithograph, or at least drawn in lithographic crayon.  However, it is probably done in pen and ink or even pencil.    
     In this illustration, Wally does a good job finding the essence of the harrowing experience of the hunter that this short story is based on: escaping a forest fire.  

Boys' Life, June 1965.  Story "The Image" by A.B. Guthrie Jr.  

     The story seems rather fanciful.  A hunter in Lolo Forest outside Missoula, Montana finds himself running from a raging forest fire, only to discover he is being followed by a trail of wildlife; a grizzly, a bull elk, two black bears, a mule deer, a snowshoe rabbit, and two fool hens.  
     Whether or not it is true, the short story is entertaining enough to keep the reader reading on.  Written by A.B. Guthrie Jr..