Wealth of Latvian Forests - 2010

Continuing the previous released, Latvia Post has issued  a set of two stamps features the wealth of Latvian Forest  on 10 September 2010. The issue depicted species, Rubus idaeus (55)  and The birch bolete (120).

Raspberry or Rubus idaeus

Rubus idaeus or occasionally as European Raspberry to distinguish it from other raspberries is a red-fruited species of Rubus native to Europe and northern Asia and commonly cultivated in other temperate regions.

Rubus idaeus is grown primarily for its fruits, but occasionally for its leaves, roots, or other parts. The fruit is an important food crop, though most modern commercial raspberry cultivars derive from hybrids between of Rubus idaeus and Rubus  strigosus.The fruit is red, edible, and sweet but tart-flavoured, produced in summer or early autumn

Plants of Rubus idaeus are generally perennials which bear biennial stems  from a perennial root system. Its grows vigorously to its full height of 1.5-2.5 m. The flowers are produced in late spring on short racemes on the tips of these side shoots, each flower about 1 cm diameter with five white petals.

As a wild plant, Rubus idaeus typically grows in forests, forming open stands under a tree canopy, and denser stands in clearings. In the south of its range (southern Europe and central Asia), it only occurs at high altitudes in mountains.

The Swordfish

Swordfish are large , highly migratory, predatory fish characterized by a long, flat bill.  They have characteristics are elongated, round-bodied, and lose all teeth and scales by adulthood.

 

On April 7, 2003, Mayotte Post issued one stamp feature the Swordfish as part of their fauna stamp series. Swordfish found widely in tropical and temperate parts of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans, and can typically be found from near the surface to a depth of 550 m .They commonly reach 3 m  in length.

Mainly the swordfish relies on its great speed and agility in the water to catch its prey. Their  speed average of 60 mph .They are a popular sport fish of the billfish category, though elusive.

Swordfish are vigorous, powerful fighters. When hooked or harpooned, they have been known to dive so quickly that they have impaled their swords into the ocean bottom up to their eyes. Although there are no reports of unprovoked attacks on humans, swordfish can be very dangerous when harpooned. They have run their swords through the planking of small boats when hurt.

Birds of Mayotte

 

Mayotte Post  issued a set of four stamps features birds species on September 21, 2012. The issues are depicting birds of Mayotte , i.e: Souimanga, Drongo, Faudy,  and Oiseau-lunette.

Souimanga

The Souimanga Sunbird (Cinnyris sovimanga) is a small passerine bird of the sunbird family, Nectariniidae. 

 

The Souimanga Sunbird is 10 cm long with a wingspan of 13 cm.The black bill is long, thin and curved. It is native to the islands of the western Indian Ocean where it occurs on Madagascar, the Aldabra Group and the Glorioso Islands.

Males of the nominate subspecies have a metallic green head, back and throat. The breast is blackish with a more or less continuous red band while the belly is yellow and the wings and tail are brown. There are yellow tufts at the sides of the breast which become visible when the birds lift their wings in courtship display

Fiji's "Teri" Purple Swamp

Fiji Post Limited issued a special souvenir sheet stamp consist of two stamps that features the endemic bird of Fiji, Fiji's "Teri" Purple Swamp, or the Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) on July 20, 2006.

The Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio), is a large bird in the family Rallidae (rails).  This chicken-sized bird, with its huge feet, bright plumage and red bill and frontal shield is easily-recognizable in its native range.

This species is sedentary, nomadic or partially migratory, with many populations making local seasonal movements in response to changing habitat conditions .

The species is mainly crepuscular and forages in the early-morning and late-evening.It breeds in solitary territorial pairs (especially in pastures)  or in small communal groups containing several breeding males, breeding females and non-breeding helpers (especially in swamps) .

Latvian National Bird

To dedicate the Latvian  Bird, Latvia Post  pleased to issue one stamp feature the White Wagtail or Motacilla alba as their National  Bird on August   30, .2003.

Motacilla alba

 

The White Wagtail is the national bird of Latvia. This is a slender bird, 16.5–19 cm in length  with the characteristic long, constantly wagging tail of its genus. The  basic  appearance  is   grey above and white below, with a white face, black cap and black throat.

The White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) is a small passerine bird in the wagtail family Motacillidae which breeds in much of Europe and Asia and parts of north Africa. The major diet of White Wagtails are terrestrial and aquatic insects and other small invertebrates.

Motacilla alba is an insectivorous bird of open country, often near habitation and water. It prefers bare areas for feeding, where it can see and pursue its prey. In urban areas it has adapted to foraging on paved areas such as car parks. It nests in crevices in stone walls and similar natural and man-made structures.

Fiji's Endemic Fish–Siganus Uspi

 

Fiji Post Limited proudly to issue a set of four stamps feature their endemic fish, USP Rabbitfish or Siganus Uspi on August 2003.

 

USP Rabbitfish or Siganus uspi is known under several different names, Fiji Bicolor Foxface Rabbitfish. USP Rabbitfish lives in the Western Pacific and is considered endemic to the waters of Fiji. Occasional specimens have however been found in New Caledonia.

Classified(discovered) and named by Michael J. Gawel after USP (University of the South Pacific). Siganus uspi has not been evaluated for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Dolphins of the Pitcairn Islands

 

On April 26, 2012, Pitcairn Islands Post has been issued the stamp series feature dolphins which found in their islands. The dolphins species depicted on stamps are Fraser’s dolphin or Lagenodelphis hosei, Spinner dolphin or Stenella longirostris, Spotted dolphin or  Stenella attenuata, Spotted dolphin  or Stenella attenuata.

Passion Fruit of Fiji

Dedicated to the Passion Fruit plants, Fiji Post Limited issued a set of four stamps features these specific fruit on September 29, 2009. The species depicted on stamps are Passiflora foetida, Passiflora edulis, Passiflora maliformis.

The 20c stamp present fruit Passiflora foetida.

Passiflora foetida is a species of passion flower that is native to the southwestern United States , Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and much of South America. It has been introduced to tropical regions around the world

The stems are thin and wiry, covered with minute sticky yellow hairs. Older stems become woody. The leaves are three- to five-lobed and viscid-hairy. When crushed, these leaves give off a pungent odor that some people consider unpleasant.

The flowers are white to pale cream coloured, about 5–6 cm diameter. The fruit is globose, 2–3 cm diameter, yellowish-orange to red when ripe, and has numerous black seeds embedded in the pulp; the fruit are eaten and the seeds dispersed by birds

Passiflora foetida contains high levels of saponins and is used as a substitute for soap in the manufacture of (soap-free) detergents .

Unique flowers of Malaysia

Malaysia Post pleased to launch a set of four stamps feature the unique flowers on October 9, 2008.

The issue stamps depicts the unique flowers of Malaysia, Kembang Songsang or Gloriosa superba, Goniothalamus tapis  or Kenerak, Quisqualis indica  or Akar dani,  Michelia figo or Cempaka Pisang.

Kembang Songsang or Gloriosa superba is A scandent plant, climbing by leaftip tendrils. The perianth segments, which are accrescent during anthesis and become reflexed, are striking in color, yellow proximally and at margins and dark red in the median portion.

Gloriosa superba is the national flower of Zimbabwe and it is also the state flower of Tamil Nadu state in India, and was the national flower of Tamil Eelam. This is a species of the genus Gloriosa.

Gloriosa is a genus of ten species in the plant family Colchicaceae.They are native in tropical and southern Africa to Asia. They are tender, tuberous rooted deciduous perennials, adapted to summer rainfall with a dormant dry season.

The Penny Bun of Iceland

In the early November 2012, Iceland Post  released one stamp  following the sixth of  Wild Mushroom stamp series. 

The issue stamp depicts the penny bun (Boletus edulis). Boletus edulis, commonly known as penny bun, is a basidiomycete fungus, and the type species of the genus Boletus.

The penny bun (Boletus edulis) is a large and fleshy pipe mushroom with a brown cap and white stem. It has a mild smell and a smooth nutty taste. The penny bun can often be found in old sunny birch woods or bushes.

It was first found in Vaglaskógur in the north of Iceland in 1960 and has since then been dicovered all over the country. The penny bun is among the most popular wild mushrooms in the world and is widely gathered in great quantities.

Murex Shells of Fiji

 

Fiji Post Limited pleased to issue a set of four postage stamps feature Fiji’s murex shells on August 20, 2002. The issue stamps are depicting murex shells species : Saul’s murex or Chicoreus saulii, Murex tribulus or Caltrop Murex, Purple Pacific Droop or Drupa morvum , and Ramose Murex or chicoreus ramosus.

 

 

The 69c stamp present Saul’s Murex or Chicoreus saulii. Chicoreus saulii is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Muricidae, the murex snails or rock snails.

The shell size varies between 60 mm and 142 mm.This species is distributed in the Indian Ocean along the Mascarene Basin; in the Pacific Ocean along Japan and Papua New Guinea.

Chicoreus saulii is found almost exclusively on the seaward reef, either under rocks during the day or in ledges and small caves at night. It is nearly always found covered with its red sponge coat, although it can wear off on some older specimens. The shells with the sponge rarely have any kind of calcareous growths on the shell, but shells that lose the protective red covering quickly become encrusted.

Coral Reef Shrimps of Fiji

 

Fiji Post Limited  released a set of 4 postage stamps feature the Fiji’s Coral reef shrimps on  June 30, 2004 . The shrimp species depicted on stamps are Boxer shrimp or Stenopus tenuirostris, Bumblebee shrimp  or Gnathophyllum americanum, Mantis shrimp  or Odontodactylus scyllarus, Anemone shrimp or Peroclimenes brevicarpalls.

 

The 58 c stamp presents Blue Coral Shrimp, or Blue Boxing Shrimp , also known as Stenopus tenuirostris . Blue Coral Shrimp,  are also sometimes referred to as "Boxing Shrimp". Both males and females have very large front claws that can be close to their entire body length in size. They also have long, whisker-like antennae.

This tough and hardy critter is frequently seen cleaning parasites off of fish but is also capable of eating them as it grows larger. It is best known for wiping out complete populations of bristle worms. It will likely attack other shrimps and crustaceans; including snails.

Tree Top Walk

To dedicated the  Care for Nature, Singapore Post issued a set of four stamps feature the “Tree Top Walk” species on October 19, 2005 . The species depicted on stamps are Red-crowned Barbet, Singapore Adenia, Colugo,  and Common Tree Nymph.

Red-crowned Barbet

The Red-crowned Barbet (Megalaima rafflesii) is a species of bird in the Ramphastidae family. It is found in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, and Thailand. 

Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and plantations. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Singapore Adenia  or Adenia macrophylla var. singaporeana

The Singapore Adenia is a botanical variety of the species Adenia macrophylla. This variety occurs only in Johor and Singapore. Here, this nationally rare forest-edge species is found in Chek Jawa and along the pipeline in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve.

 

 

Wealth of Latvian Forest - 2008

Latvia Post released  a set of two stamps feature the Wealth of Latvian Forest on September 6, 2008.

The issue stamps depict flora species, Vaccinum myrtillus or  Blueberry, Leccinum Aurantiacum.

The 22 stamp present fruit species, Vaccinium myrtillus.

Vaccinium myrtillus is a species of shrub with edible fruit of blue color, commonly called  "European blueberry". It is more precisely called Common Bilberry or Blue Whortleberry, to distinguish it from other Vaccinium relatives. Vaccinium myrtillus is found natively in Europe, northern Asia, Greenland, Western Canada, and the Western United States. It occurs in the wild on heathlands and acidic soils. It is one of the wild origins and predecessors of the North American blueberry.

Vaccinium myrtillus has been used for nearly 1,000 years in traditional European medicine. Herbal supplements of Vaccinium myrtillus (bilberry) on the market are used for circulatory problems, as vision aids, and to treat diarrhea and other conditions.

Since bilberries are more fragrant, and have more concentrated flavor and vitamins (like all more natural wild fruit varieties), they are especially well suited for making cough syrups and bilberry wine.In traditional medicine, Bilberry leaf is used for different conditions, including diabetes.

The Stone crayfish of Slovenia - 2011

 

Slovenia Post has collaborated with WWF organization issued the stamp set features the specific species  of Slovenia, Stone crayfish. The issue comprises of 4 postage stamps and one local official first day cover. All stamp depicted this species in their environment and have marked of WWF logo .

The Local WWF Cover of this stamp series  presented in the other blogs  “Stone crayfish” . This official FDC released together with the issue of  stamps.

Three species of crayfish live in fresh water in Slovenia: the noble crayfish, the stone crayfish and white-clawed crayfish.

The stone crayfish or  Austropotamobius torrentium,  is a European species of freshwater crayfish in the family Astacidae.

It is mostly found in tributaries of the Danube, having originated in the northern part of the Balkan Peninsula..

Its range extends throughout central and southern Europe. In Slovenia it is widespread mainly in the Sava and Drava watersheds, and is less present in the Primorska and Pomurje regions.

Barred-winged Rail

Fiji Post dedicated to the extinct bird species  by issuing a set of two stamps series which represented in one beautiful miniature sheet on  December 3,  2007. The species featured on stamps is the Barred-winged Rail (Nesoclopeus poecilopterus).

 

The Barred-winged Rail (Nesoclopeus poecilopterus) was a species of bird in the Rallidae family. It was endemic to Fiji. It has not been recorded since 1973 and is now Extinct.

Nesoclopeus poecilopterus was a flightless island ground-nesting forest/freshwater swamp dweller and is believed to have disappeared after the introduction of the mongoose and cats to the islands.

Birds of Latvia - 2012

 

Following to the previous issues of Birds of Latvia series, Latvia Post issued two stamps with pictures of traditional Latvian birds:  the Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) and the Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis).

The denomination of Barn Swallow is LVL 0.35 and  the denomination of Goldfinch is LVL 0.98. The stamps have been designed by artist Ģirts Grīva.

 

The Barn Swallow is the most widespread species of swallow. It is a bird of open country and builds nests in closed, man-made structures protected from precipitation and wind. 

The Barn Swallow is renowned for its skill of catching insects in flight. To many nations, the Barn Swallow is a symbol of hope, luck, and the coming of spring; Latvian beliefs about swallows relate to the weather, money and happiness.

 

The release of the stamps is accompanied by two first-day covers and two special cancellations. The covers are adorned by pictures of the barn swallow and the goldfinch in their natural environment, while the cancellation depicts each bird in graphical form.

The Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) is the most widespread species of swallow in the world. It is a distinctive passerine bird with blue upperparts, a long, deeply forked tail and curved, pointed wings. It is found in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas.

Vegetable Blossoms

On March 08, 2012, Switzerland-La Poste pleased to launch a set of three stamps feature vegetable blossoms.  The issued stamps depict tomato’s flower, runner bean’s flower, onion’s flower.

The 140 stamp present Tomato flower. Tomato plants are dicots, and grow as a series of branching stems, with a terminal bud at the tip that does the actual growing. Most tomato plants have compound leaves, and are called regular leaf (RL) plants.

Their flowers, appearing on the apical meristem, have the anthers fused along the edges, forming a column surrounding the pistil's style. Flowers in domestic cultivars tend to be self-fertilizing. The flowers are 1–2 centimetres  across, yellow, with five pointed lobes on the corolla; they are borne in a cyme of three to 12 together.

Birds of Latvia - 2011

Latvia Post has issued a set of two stamps series feature Latvian Birds, following the previous  series “Birds of Latvia  2010” on September 23, 2011. The issued stamps depict Icterine Warbler and Snake Eagle, design by  artist Ģirts Grīva .

Hippolais icterina

The Icterine Warbler (Hippolais icterina) is a small songbird, found in the territory of Latvia from early spring to fall. The bird is most frequently found in bushes of woodland, as well as in parks and gardens; it loves being near water. The Icterine Warbler is insectivorous, but also takes other food items, such as berries. The Icterine Warbler's song sounds like a fast murmur.

The Icterine Warbler (Hippolais icterina) is an Old World warbler in the tree warbler genus Hippolais. The term icterine refers to its yellowish colouration. It breeds in mainland Europe except the southwest.It is migratory, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa.

The stamps are accompanied by a release of two first-day envelopes and special cancellations. The envelopes show the Icterine Warbler and the Snake Eagle in their typical environment, while the cancellation depicts each bird graphically.

Snails of Algerie

Algerie Poste pleased to release a set of two stamps feature snails, Rumina decollata and Helix aspersa, on May 21, 2003.

Rumina decollata is a medium-sized predatory land snail, and feeds readily upon common garden snails and slugs and their eggs.

Rumina decollata, or  Decollate snail,   is  a species of terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Subulinidae. It is a European species that has been introduced in a number of areas worldwide.Decollate snails are tolerant of dry and cold conditions, during which they burrow deep into the soil. They are most active during the night and during rainfall.

Its shell  is long and roughly cone-shaped. Rumina decollata grows to approximately 40 mm in length, and upon reaching mature size, grinds or chips off the end of its own shell by moving its body roughly against hard surfaces, so that the shell takes on a decollate shape, tapering to a blunt end.

Garden Flowers of Liechtenstein

After succeed  three part Definitive series “Butterflies”, Liechtenstein Post issued the 2012 definitive stamps with the theme  "flower garden". In the first, again designed by Stefan Erne issue the peony, dahlia and zinnia are shown.

The  CHF 0.85 stamp present "Dahlia" , Dahlia hortensis , which originally from Central America and Mexico native and from the beginning of the 19th century introduced in Europe. This species  belongs to the daisy family and is another common ornamental plant that blooms from July to October. The approximately 20,000 different varieties of dahlias are divided into 10 groups of species. On a semi-permanent mark Cactus Dahlia (variety "kumquat") is shown.

Popular Flower on Stamps – Rose

On March 25, 2011, to mark the coming of the spring, Latvia Post has released a new stamp in the Popular Flowers series - the Rose designed artist Lilija Dinere. The flower motif in stamps is very popular among clients, ”Rose is a very beautiful, bright, summery stamp “. Therefore  Latvia Post has chosen, Rose as part of  a special series dedicated to popular flowers.

A rose is a woody perennial of the genus Rosa, within the family Rosaceae. There are over 100 species. They form a group of plants that can be erect shrubs, climbing or trailing with stems that are often armed with sharp prickles.

Flowers vary in size and shape and are usually large and showy, in colours ranging from white through yellows and reds.

Most species are native to Asia, with smaller numbers native to Europe, North America, and northwest Africa. Species, cultivars and hybrids are all widely grown for their beauty and often are fragrant.

Dragonflies of Vanuatu

The  dragonflies appeared over long time ago and  they have developed into many different sub species. There are more than 5000 species of dragonflies existing in the world today. Now dragonflies have  been included   in the  Vanuatu’s ecosystem as  the  valuable predators that eat mosquitoes, and other small insects like flies, ants and wasps .

Vanuatu Post pleased to launch a set of four stamps and one unique souvenir sheet features the species of Dragonflies which found in Vanuatu on February 22, 2012. The stamp set designed by Sue Wickison from Wellington, New Zealand. The depicted species are Yellow striped Flutterer Rhyothemis Phyllis , Globe Skimmer Pantala flavescens , Fiery Skimmer Orthetrum villosovittatum,  and Painted Grasshawk Neurothemis stigmatizans.

Flower Growing - Beauty of Orchids

Orchids are easily distinguished from other plants, as they share some very evident apomorphies. Among these are: bilateral symmetry (zygomorphism), many resupinate flowers, a nearly always highly modified petal (labellum), fused stamens and carpels, and extremely small seeds.

All orchids are perennial herbs, lack any permanent woody structure, and can grow in monopodial and sympodial patterns.

The world's richest concentration of orchid varieties is found in the tropics, mostly Asia, South America and Central America.

To dedicated the beauty of orchids, Czech  Post  pleased to launch a set of four stamps which composed in one beautiful miniature sheet.

 

The species depicted on stamps  are Dendrobium peguanum, Stanhopea tigrina, Cattleya aclandiae and Paphiopedilum charlesworthii.

Popular Flower on Stamps – Peony

On March 26, 2010, Latvia Post  pleased to issue one stamp depicts Peony flower as part of their programs featuring the popular flower on stamps.  Peonies are  native to Asia, Southern Europe and Western North America. Each flower type becomes more complex in its arrangement of petals.

Peonies are also extensively grown as ornamental plants for their very large, often scented flowers. Peonies tend to attract ants to the flower buds. This is due to the nectar that forms on the outside of the flower buds, and is not required for the plants' own pollination or other growth.

Hidden Beauties of Larch Flower

Service des Postes de Saint Pierre et Miquelon launched  one stamp features the hidden beauty of  Flower on February 9, 2011. This stamp depicts Larch flower with face value of  1.05 Euro.

Larches are conifers in the genus Larix, in the family Pinaceae. Growing from 20 to 45 m tall, they are native to much of the cooler temperate northern hemisphere, on lowlands in the north and high on mountains further south. Larch are among the dominant plants in the immense boreal forests of Russia and Canada.