During his celebrated 65-year career as a wildlife artist who arguably captured waterfowl on the wing better than anyone in the world, Harry Adamson never cared about entering duck stamp competitions. Requirements for duck stamp art seemed too constrained for his taste.

"It's true, I don't care for doing duck stamps, usually," said Adamson, 92, who lives in Lafayette. "I don't like to do just two birds. By the time the birds are reduced to stamp size, I can't put in a big field. My paintings are usually 24 by 36 inches."

Hardly stuck on his old ways, Adamson changed his mind this year, much to the delight of state officials. On Saturday in Sacramento, he unveiled a commissioned painting by the California Department of Fish and Game that will be used for the 2008-2009 State Duck Stamp. The oil on canvas of mallard ducks was completed earlier this year by Adamson who donated the use of the image for the stamp.

"(The DFG) talked me into it," he said. "I will keep the original, but the state will make money on the sales of duck stamps that are required for hunting waterfowl in California and sell them to stamp collectors. In addition, the stamp image will be reproduced as limited edition prints, signed and numbered, that will also generate money for wetlands habitat."

DFG spokeswoman Lorna Bernard said since the state duck stamp program was initiated in 1971, more than $22 million in revenues have been collected for waterfowl conservation activities. But she confessed interest had waned over the years.

"The money is used strictly for wetlands and is spent after consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service," Bernard said. "We felt that a Harry Adamson original work of art would help bring attention to our program and inspire other artists to enter a competition beginning next year. Selecting him for the commissioned work was a natural and a way to energize the program."

The DFG had asked Adamson if it could use one of his images for the state duck stamp but got a response that was far beyond what they expected.

In his understated style, Adamson replied, "How about if I create you an original image?"

Adamson gained prominence for his stunning landscapes awash with mallards and pintail that are sought by art collectors worldwide. His credits include being selected "artist of the year" by Ducks Unlimited and the California Waterfowl Association, and having his paintings exhibited nationally and internationally, including in the White House at the behest of President Ronald Reagan.

During his long career, he has created more than 500 works of art. Currently, Adamson is doing a commissioned painting of Indians on horseback.

Adamson is proud that his images have raised critical dollars for waterfowl conservation and has gone as far afield as to help protect the rain forest in South America and the white rhinoceros in Africa.

"What drove me in the first place was some inner thing that makes me want to draw and paint," said Adamson, who has an affinity for creating landscapes with wildfowl and promoting funds for conservation.

In fact, his generosity and self-effacing demeanor often meant his wife Betty, was the bread winner of the family.

"For many years Betty brought home the bacon," Adamson said of his wife of 63 years. "I didn't really make any money until prints became fashionable for collectors to buy and sold like hotcakes. That trend is anything but true today."

In 1949, Adamson began giving away original paintings to support conservation efforts while Betty worked for the University of California. She finally told him, "You know Harry, I work long and hard for a salary, and I think it is time that we don't give originals anymore."

Then, she laughed.

"You know Harry's paintings and limited edition prints have raised at least $1.5 million for conservation, and that's conservative," Betty said.

"You know, we're getting old. It's satisfying to know people still enjoy his work.

"We hope his image of mallards for the state duck stamp will promote the stamps and prints to a wider audience and generate more money protect our wetlands."

His images may be seen online at harryadamson.com.

Contact outdoors columnist Peter Ottesen at pottesen@recordnet.com.