Stanley Harris was a wildlife professor at Humboldt State University in Arcata, CA, for nearly 40 years. When "Doc" passed away in December 2019 at age 91, his son Michael decided to create an artistic tribute to his dad: 133 handcrafted ceramic teapots in the shape of Stan's beloved waterfowl. Each teapot took about 7 hours to craft.

Michael has donated 31 of those teapots to Friends of the Arcata Marsh, to auction off to support the wildlife sanctuary where he and his dad birded nearly every day post-retirement (1992).

You can bid online to own one of these beautiful creations -- which also work as tea-brewing vessels! -- with 100% of the proceeds going to support FOAM's environmental education and community outreach activities.

Species up for bid are teal (blue-winged, green-winged, and cinnamon), merganser (common, red-breasted, and hooded), pintail (four different color treatments of females), canvasback, ruddy duck, redhead, common goldeneye, long-tailed duck, and black duck. There's even a Disney-esque "Fantastic Flying Fowl" and two swans from another donor.

Winning bidders will receive a species name card signed by Michael Harris. Winners will either need to pick up their ducks at the Arcata Marsh Interpretive Center or pay to have them shipped. Initial information about payment and pick up appears in the individual item listings; final instructions will be e-mailed to the winners after the auction ends.

Don't miss this opportunity to own a unique remembrance of Doc Harris AND support FOAM! Questions should be directed to info@arcatamarshfriends.org.

Friends of the Arcata Marsh (FOAM) is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is "to stimulate understanding of the Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary, its relationship with the City of Arcata's integrated wastewater treatment system, the surrounding watersheds and Humboldt Bay, and their link with the Earth's water cycle." Information about FOAM educational programs and publications can be found at www.arcatamarshfriends.org.