Wood Ducks, one of the artist's earliest remaining originals, is rare and unique in Dan's work in several respects. It is one of the no more than 4 known watercolors created in his lifetime. It is also one of only two of the smallest works he's ever done at a miniscule size of 5x7". Considering he's known for murals as large as 25' x 120' any Dan Terry work at this size is unusual. The subjects of wildlife and water rippling in gentle waves are themes that reoccur throughout his body of work, to this day. It was done with the intention of submission to the Duck Stamp Competition. Whether it was submitted and rejected or was not submitted is unknown, yet it remained in the artist's collection and inventory since it's creation, with few public showings.
An early work, it reflects the young artist's pursuit of precision and mastery of the brush with the eye of a naturalist's accuracy.