Wayneis
The picture did turn out lighter than the wood really looks. However this walnut is very light in color I do not know if the fact I microwave dried it is the reason, or if the Walnut they use at the nut orchard is just lighter. The wood you see is actually the heart wood, but their is some sapwood on the other side of the pen. I will have to say this pen never got to the wood donator, it was gone before I saw his daughter today. If you are interested in a trade e-mail me. I have a bunch of mixed sapwood heartwood blanks, they are still a little wet though