I'm Flora Lichtenen, and you're listening to Science Friday.

Later on the show, when an ultra-rare flower disappeared, some volunteers took matters into their own hands.

They were really excited to see this flower, and they get there, and they can't find it.

But first, we're turning our attention to a brutal cutthroat competition, complete with

infighting on social media, favorites and underdogs, and above all, participants obsessed

with their craft.

I would compare it to American Idol, right?

It launches you on a career path that you maybe never thought possible.

It's always been kind of like a secret society.

I'm really nervous. This has been a part of my life since I was 11.

Most kids are into football or baseball.

This was my sport.

It's an addiction, but it's like the best kind of addiction.

The addiction is painting ducks. You may have missed it, but around a week ago, artists convened

for the splashiest event in the wildlife art world, the federal duck stamp art contest. Here to explain why artists take this competition so

seriously, why this program is one of the most successful conservation efforts in the U.S.

And the question on everybody's minds, will the person who's won six times take the crown again?

Here to explain is our digital producer Emma Gomez, who is at the contest this year.

Hi, Emma. Hi, Flora. Let's start with the basics. What is the federal duck stamp art contest?

Yes. So the federal duck stamp art contest is the only juries art competition that is run by the federal government.

And the idea is artists from across the country have a limited number of huntable waterfowl that they paint as they naturally would appear in the wild.

They paint it on a canvas and that image must be strictly seven by ten

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