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.

Insects and spiders of Iceland

 

The fifth stamp series of insects and spiders   has issued by Iceland Post on  January 29,2009. The issue consist of two stamps designed by Arnar Snorrason and depict two species are  Moth flies (psychodidae) and Field spider (Gnaphosidae)

Moth flies (Psychodidae) are common around farms and outhouses.  These are strange little flies with a short hairy torso and hairy wings.   At least two species of moth flies can be found in Iceland.

Moth flies (Psychodidae) are small true flies (Diptera) with short, hairy bodies and wings giving them a "furry" moth-like appearance.Adult Psychodidae are typically nocturnal , mostly active at night and prefer wetlands and other moist places.

SEAL III of Iceland

On September 13, 2012,  Iceland Post issued the third stamp series of Seal. The issue comprises of two postage stamps features the Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) and the Hooded seal (Cystophora cristata).

Seals are an aquatic carnivorous mammal of the families Otariidae and Phocidae (sometimes placed in a separate order, the Pinnipedia). The eared seals or sea lions (Otariidae) have small external ears, unlike the true seals (Phocidae). Seals have a streamlined body with thick blubber for insulation, and front and hind flippers.

The walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) is a large pinniped with distribution in the Arctic and sub-Arctic seas. Adult males reach a length of approx. 3 meters and weigh 800-1000 kg. The females are smaller than the males.

The most prominent feature of the walrus is its long tusks which can reach a length of 100 cm. The walrus occasionally catches fish but it grazes mainly along the sea bottom. Its only natural enemies are humans, killer whales and polar bears.

Walrus can reach an age of around 50 years. In current times they are rare around Icelandic coasts but were much more frequent up until the 19th century.

Mushroom 6th series of Iceland

Iceland Post issued the regularly stamp set features mushroom series. The sixth series has issued  only one stamp and  one FDC on July 02, 2012. The species depicted is The crab brittlegill or Russula xerampelina. It is edible mushroom.

Russula xerampelina, also commonly known as the crab brittlegill or the shrimp mushroom, is a basidiomycete mushroom of the brittlegill genus Russula.Older mushroom smell of shellfish or herring. This mushroom grows in grassy woodlands and peaty soil. It it common in Iceland. The species is mainly characterized by its odour and is often called "herring russula". The crab brittlegill is the main species.

Seals of Iceland–Part I

On 28th day of  January 2010, Iceland Post issued the first series of stamp set features fauna mammal, seal animal. The issue stamps contain of two postage stamps that depicted Harbour seal and Harp Seal.

Harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) is the most common seal species in Icelandic waters. They are found in coastal waters of the North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans as well as those of the Baltic Sea. Only the harbour seal and the grey seal bear pups in near shore costal terrain in Iceland. The entire harbour seal population is estimated at 400- 500.000 individuals. These are social animals and can be seen in shoals off coasts.

Sheep gathering in Iceland

Iceland Post issued the stamp series of agriculture animal, Sheep , on September 16, 2009. The stamp set comprised of two stamps.Sheep is agriculture animals which has high economical value.

Icelandic sheep roam freely on extensive pastures during the summer. In spring and autumn they graze on cultivated land. In autumn the sheep are rounded up and herded back to sheep cotes to be sorted by their owners. The number of sheep in the Iceland country in 2006 exceeded 455.000 and registered sheep-owners that year numbered 2.435.

The Icelandic sheep has earned world renown for the quality of its wool while in Iceland sheep are bred mostly for the meat. More than 80% of the income of sheep breeding comes from the meat. The lambs are very small when they are born but they grow quickly and in good pastures they can reach a weight of 36-40 kilos in 4-5 months. These lambs are not fed with artificial feed. After the summer grazing period they are slaughtered. The meat is delicate and very tasty and their products, wool and skins, are of the highest quality.