Sea Anemones - Flowers of the Sea

 

On February 20, 2012,  Faroe Islands Post issued the stamp set feature Sea Anemone , Flower of the sea. The issues consist of 4 postage stamps depicted colorful sea anemone and designed by Ingi Sørensen . Sea anemone are related to jellyfish and corals, all of which have a relatively simple circular body shape with numerous tentacles surrounding a mouth at one end of the organism

Marine biologists consider difficult to determine the species of sea anemones. Conservation of this animal group requires special methods and specialist knowledge is required to ensure correct identification. Although the sea anemone fauna in the Faroese area is not yet completely documented, Thirty species of sea anemone have been identified in the Faroes, but the total number of species is presumably higher.

Since the anemone lacks a skeleton, the contractile cells pull against the gastrovascular cavity, which acts as a hydrostatic skeleton. The anemone stabilizes itself by shutting its mouth, which keeps the gastrovascular cavity at a constant volume, making it more rigid.

Orchids of Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein Post  issued the orchid stamp set on the first of June 2004. The issue comprised of 3 postage stamps feature Bee Orchid, Burnt Orchid, and Violet Helleborine.

Bee Orchid

The Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera) is an herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the family Orchidaceae.The Bee Orchid grows to a height of 15–50 centimetres .This hardy orchid develops small rosettes of leaves in autumn. They slowly continue to grow during winter.The plant blooms from mid-April to July producing a spike composed from one to twelve flowers. The flowers have large sepals, with a central green rib and their color varies from white to pink, while petals are short, pubescent, yellow to greenish.

New Zealand Native Wildlife

 

New Zealand is famous as a country that has a diverse array of unique flora and fauna that are not owned by other countries. Some native animals are classified as endangered and use as a state icon of New Zealand. On March 7, 2007 , New Zealand Post celebrates the uniqueness  is by issuing the five vibrant stamps featuring  species Tuatara, Kiwi, Hamilton's frog, Yellow-eyed penguin, and Hector’s dolphin.

Tuatara

European Brown Hare

Estonia Post issued one stamp  feature European Brown Hare species on May 19, 2011.  In Estonia, European Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus ) is a species that settled in the area from the south about 200-300 years ago when a part of their forest habitats had been replaced by fields. 

The European hare (Lepus europaeus),  is a species of hare native to northern, central, and western Europe and western Asia.The European hare has a head and body length ranging from 600-750 mm with a tail length of 72–110 mm.

Pigeon bird (Dove) – Botswana

In relation with the celebration of Christmas season,  Botswana Post issued stamp set feature Dove bird on December 20, 2005. The species depicted are Namaqua dove, Red-eyed dove, Laughing dove, and Green Pigeon. The issue consist of 4 postage stamp with non uniform face value.

The Namaqua Dove is a tiny sparrow-sized pigeon, typically 22 cm in length with a 28–33 cm wingspan, and weighing 40g. It has a very long black tapered tail.The plumage is mostly grey apart from a white belly, and chestnut primary feathers which are visible in flight.The adult male has a black face, throat and breast, and a yellow and red beak. The adult female lacks the black and has a red-based grey bill.

The Namaqua Dove (Oena capensis) is a small pigeon. It is the only species in the genus Oena.The dove is a widespread resident breeding bird in Sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar with its range extending into the Arabian Peninsula southern Israel, Jordan and as far north as Turkey.The dove is quite terrestrial, and usually forages on open ground and roadsides. The food is almost exclusively minute seeds, such as those of grasses, sedges and weeds.

Tornjak - Bosnian Herzegovinian Croatian shepherd dog

Bosnia  & Herzegovina  Croatian Post Mostar  issued stamp set composed  of 4 postage stamps, features the endemic species of Bosnia & Herzegovina and Croatia, Tornjak on February 22, 2007.

The Tornjak is a mountain sheep dog native to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia and is a very healthy breed. They  do not need so much proteins in the food. For feeding Tornjaks a low protein diet is suitable. Too high a protein content can lead to the development of coat problems.

Tornjaks are large and powerful dogs, with well proportioned, almost square bodied features and agile movements. The bodies of these dogs are strong and well built, with harmonious and dignified movements. They have long and thick double coat which a thick undercoat for  adequately protects  against poor weather conditions. The dogs typically possess shaggy tails, kept high like a flag.

Summer flowers

Summer flowers have very rich of color ( reds, blues, violets, oranges, yellows, pinks, purple and whites ) and beautiful. The beginning of summer starts out with perennial flowers that began to grow late in spring.Some popular perennials for early summer are Irises and Peonies.

As summer starts to really heat up, there are many flowers that cannot continue to grow in the hottest days of summer. Unfortunately there are not too many colorful plants that can last in the heat. Some good annuals to plant in the hot days of summer are Cosmos and zinnias.The important things are giving them the proper care in order to have surviving plants.

Monkeys of Burundi

Burundi Post issued the stamp series feature monkey species on March 15, 2011. The issues are consist of three single postage stamps and one gorillas-shaped souvenir sheet.

The uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel-wood, coupled with agricultural clearing and grazing lands has resulted in nearly complete deforestation of this country . The serious loss of land has effected wildlife severely.


Widespread ethnic civil war and the subsequent collapse of government conservation efforts further reduced forest areas and resulted in increased poaching of wildlife. 

Due to habitat destruction, gorillas and elephants are extinct in Burundi and virtually all wildlife is threatened.

Rowan Tree

The rowans or mountain-ashes are shrubs or small trees in genus Sorbus of family Rosaceae and  native throughout the cool temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with the highest species diversity in the mountains of western China and the Himalaya.

On 25 April 2007 , B & H Croatian Post Mostar has issued stamp feature Rowan tree in a souvenir sheet . This issue depict rowan tree on stamp and the rowan’s fruit as part of  background picture.

Wildlife of Luxembourg - 2002

On September 14, 2002 , the second stamp set , dedicated to animals living in Luxembourg fields and forests, was issued by Luxembourg Post. The stamps depict the following species, painted by Belgian wildlife artist André Buzin such as : Red Fox, Pheasant, Hedgehog, and Deer.

 

The red fox (Fuuss)

The red fox (Fuuss) has a long history of association with humans, having been extensively hunted as a pest and furbearer for centuries, as well as being prominently represented in human folklore and mythology. Because of its widespread distribution and large population, the red fox is one of the most important furbearing animals harvested for the fur trade .

Winterberries- Denmark

 

Denmark Post regularly issue the stamp series with topic of flora fauna. On November 7, 2008, they issued stamps feature flora series , fruit of Winterberries European Holly, White Christmas Rose, Snowberry, and Yew Tree. The stamps series composed of 4 postage stamp with different face value.

 

European Holly/Ilex aquifolium

European holly or  Ilex aquifolium, also called  holly,  is a species of holly native to western and southern Europe, northwest Africa and southwest Asia. Holly is a very ancient species.The habitat of Holly today is in addition to humid Mediterranean areas, the Atlantic temperate zones of Europe and North Africa mountain.

 

 

Native in the countries of the Mediterranean, it is now a protected species in some parts of Europe due to wild predation as Christmas decoration.

Wildflowers of Zimbabwe–2nd series

Zimbabwe Post has issued the second series of wild flower on October 22, 2002. The issued stamps  feature Dissotis princeps,Leonotis Nepetifolia,Hibiscus Vitifolius,Boophane Disticha and Pyconostachys urticifolia.

Dissotis Princeps

Dissotis princeps occurs in marshy places, along streambanks and at the fringe of forests in KwaZulu-Natal, Swaziland, Limpopo, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi.

Dissotis princeps is an outstanding garden plant with magnificent flowers and decorative foliage. It is easy to grow, and is ideal for the water or vlei (marsh) garden, or for that difficult, permanently damp spot.

Dissotis princeps is a soft, herbaceous shrub, 1.5 to 3 m tall. Young stems are angular and the whole plant is covered in short, bristly hairs. The leaves are large, 30-145 x 10-55 mm, egg-shaped to lance-shaped, and velvety, dark green above and paler to whitish underneath with 5 conspicuous veins from the base. Old leaves turn red.

This species is used in traditional medicine, probably in the same way as Dissotis canescens which is also eaten in times of famine, and the leaves, stems and roots are used to make a brew to prevent the development of certain unpleasant symptoms caused by drinking beer made from the new season's mealies, and the leaves are used to treat dysentery and diarrhoea.

Flora Fauna of Uruguay - 2010

The Uruguay Post issued the stamp of spring  series, features flora fauna on September 30, 2010.The species depicted are Pata de Vaca, Hornero, Pirincho, and Mburucuya which are found in Uruguay.

Bauhinia forficata, commonly known as Pata de Vaca, is a species of flowering tree in the pea family, Fabaceae, that is native to Brazil and Peru..Pata de vaca is a small tree that grows 5-9 m tall. Its leaves are 7-10 cm long and shaped like a cow’s hoof, which is distinctive to the Bauhinia genus.

It produces large, drooping white flowers and a brown seed pod resembling that of mimosa. It can be found in the rainforests and tropical parts of Peru and Brazil, as well as in tropical zones of Asia, eastern Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina.

Tropical Fruit of New Caledonia

The Post of New Caledonia  has issued the fruit stamp series depicted Citrus nobilis, Mangifera indica, Carica papaya in year 2008. he issue stamp consist of three postage stamp with different nominal value.

Citrus is believed to have originated in the part of Southeast Asia bordered by Northeastern India, Myanmar (Burma) and the Yunnan province of China.Citrus fruit has been cultivated in an ever-widening area since ancient times.

Citrus juice also has medical uses; lemon juice is used to relieve the pain of bee stings. Oranges were historically used for their high content of vitamin C, which prevents scurvy. Scurvy is caused by vitamin C deficiency, and can be prevented by having 10 milligrams of vitamin C a day. An early sign of scurvy is fatigue.