Philatelic of birds

Jasmine Revolution

2012-01-14T18:46:00.006+08:00

Do you remember the Tunisian revolution in last year ? In the end of 2010, a Sidi Bouzid hawker Mohamed Bouazizi self-immolated as he protests the violence of local police. It caused many anti-government campaigns and try to overthrow Ben Ali, the president of Tunisia during 1987 to 2011. At last the campaigns became a national revolution. On 14 January, 2011, Ben Ali left Tunisia and his government collapsed.

Above stamp issued on March to commemorate this revolution, picture illustrated the clock-tower of Tunis and the campaigners.

From left to right :
600Dinars : Bab Bhar ; 1,000Dinars : Bab Saâdoun ; 250Dinars : Bab El Khadra
250Dinars : Bab Jedid ; 250Dinars : Dar Hsine ; 250Dinars : Dar Ben Abdallah
Monuments of the Medina of Tunis (突尼斯的麥地那古蹟)
Tunisia (2010)
6th September, 2011. Carthage, Tunis.

I was visited Tunisia in Spring, 2007, before the revolution. Of course visited many heritage sites and special museums, also not surprisingly sent a dozen of postcard myself. Although I felt the country do not have many freedom, even on internet or communicate, the people still open to tourist around the country.

Above cover features a set of monuments located in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. Most of them I have been visited so I specially interest on the stamps and wish to collect them. Below two pictures, are taken by me during the tour.

International Year of Biodiversity (10) - Serbia

2011-06-26T16:00:00.000+08:00

International Year of Biodiversity (國際生物多樣性年)
Serbia (2011)
27th May, 2011. Kanjiža

Is it the last one ? On April 2011, Serbia issued a stamp to commemorate International Year of Biodiversity. Not a big surprise the stamp feature human, marine life and animals ... elements. According to the issue tradition of ex-Yugoslavia countries, there has eight stamps with one label in one plate. Above cover affixed three stamps with a label, it features footprints of human, birds and other animals.

International Year of Biodiversity (9) - The Philippines

2011-04-29T00:03:00.001+08:00

International Year of Biodiversity (國際生物多樣性年)
The Philippines (2010)
25th March, 2010. Manila

Into 2011, the project of IYB is not ended. Although the United Nations proclaimed that this year is International Year of Forest, still have many countries issue stamps to commemorate IYB on late 2010 and 2011. Above cover, was sent from the Philippines features IYB issue and Biodiversity definitive stamps also issued on same year. The drawings of IYB issue was selected from the local competition of first and second prize, and the illustration of first day cover selected from third prize.

Unfortunately the Biodiversity definitive is related to marine life and I don't have any interest on that.

Marine life of Indonesia

2011-02-05T00:35:00.000+08:00

From left to right bottom :
Olive Ridley Turtle (麗龜) ; Green Sea Turtle (綠蠵龜)
Leatherback Turtle (棱皮龜) ; Indo-Pacific Hawksbill Turtle (太平洋玳瑁)
Indonesia (2010)
24th October, 2010. Jakarta
19th November, 2010. Semarang, Tanah Mas
30th November, 2010. Hongkong

Unfortunately, in the time of writing, the WWF International and Groth AG, the agency approves philatelic products with WWF Panda logo. Did not authorize post office of Indonesia issue above stamp set with their logo. It was sadly to see this situation as the beautiful stamps couldn't be a part of WWF series. 4 stamps illustrate variety turtle species with description as above. Those four turtles, now facing over-hunting, egg stolen or population of ocean etc. different poor situations, the population decrease quickly in recent years.

Railway service of Hongkong

2010-11-30T00:00:00.001+08:00

$1,40 : Stream locomotive (蒸汽火車)
$2,50 : MTR Metro-Cammell Train (地下鐵路都城嘉慕列車)
$5,00 : Airport Express (機場快線)
$1,80 : Sir Alexander diesel locomotive (亞歷山大爵士號柴油火車)
Hongkong (2010)
30th September, 2010. Maonshan

As the centenary anniversary of railway service of Hongkong, 6 locomotives and electric trains appear on stamps together. In maxicard section, there shown two maxicards related to two early locomotives of Hongkong. Here it is an envelope, which was carried cash for order stamps of Malta. The envelope affixed variety train stamps, two locomotives as well in Maxicards appear again but other two are new. MTR train is the earliest train serves Kwun Tong Line on 1978 which was built in England by Metro-Cammell and refreshed during late-90's years by Australia company ; another one is Airport Express train, which made in Spain together with Tung Chung Line train. They began on service on 1998 until now.

Elevators of Lisbon

2010-09-25T00:00:00.002+08:00

Ascensor da Glória

Portugal (2010)

17th May, 2010. Lisbon (first day cancellation)
30th June, 2010. Restauradores, Lisbon
(Praça dos Restauradores)

Few months ago, Portugal Post issued a set of six stamps features Portuguese funiculars. Although they appeared on stamps many times, here are the cover and maxicard I collected.

Above official first day cover shown the stamp of Ascensor da Glória, the funicular inaugurated on 24 October 1885 and now still servicing passengers and tourists. The cars run between Praça dos Restauradores and Bairro Alto area, only suspended the service during 2007 for extension work of Lisbon.

The cover illustrated Elevador de Santa Justa which is outdoor elevator services between Largo do Carmo and Rua do Ouro. It opens on 10 July 1902 and becomes important elevator to resident.

Ascensor da Bica

Portugal (2010)

29th June, 2010. D. Luis I, Lisbon

(Praça de Dom Luís I)

Ascensor da Bica is an historical funicular in Lisbon, it was opened on June 28 of 1892 links between Rua de São Paulo and Largo de Calhariz. A 245m funicular built in the middle of Rua da Bica de Duarte Belo. In 2002, it classified as National Monument of Portugal, together with Ascensor da Glória and Elevador de Santa Justa in Lisbon.

Dragonfly and yacht

2010-07-14T00:05:00.002+08:00

L : The Volvo Ocean Race (富豪環球海洋帆船賽) ; R : Banded Demoiselle (豆娘)
Ireland (2009)
25th November, 2009. Dublin (GPO)

Nothing special of this cover, but just want to say thanks to Yoram who sent it to me during a day trip to Dublin, the capital city of Ireland. Two stamps are split from two souvenir sheets respectively. The first one shown the Irish entry yacht named Green Dragon is one of boats in the Volvo Ocean Race, the game held on May 23 to June 6 started from the Spanish port Alicante via Galway, Ireland ; then turn west to America and finished at Saint Petersburg of Russia. The winner of this game is Ericsson 4, a entry yacht of Sweden. Banded Demoiselle is a species of damselfly, it often to be found in slow-flowing steams and rivers of European countries.

Above cover shown the different of postmarks of Ireland, the one in the main page is cancelled by roller-postmark while this one cancelled by regular postmark.

International Year of Biodiversity (3) - Belaurs

2010-06-08T20:20:00.002+08:00

International Year of Biodiversity (國際生物多樣性年)
Belarus (2010)
23rd April, 2010. Minsk

After the first two covers of the International Year of Biodiversity from Portugal and South Africa, Belarus Post continuous to release this joint theme issue in souvenir sheet form on April 23, thanks Alexander sent me this first day cover on the day of issue. Compare with last two issues, Belarus stamps do not show any species and is the first one illustrated pictorial animals, plants, marine life and the logotype of the International Year of Biodiversity, which is the second time to be found in stamp (first one is Great Britain which only shown in the frame of whole sheet). However, according to the official document, the logotype is wrong in style as using wrong fronts.

Peace and Freedom

2010-04-07T22:55:00.006+08:00

Europa - Peace and Freedom (和平與自由)

Isle of Man (1995)

26th January, 2010. Douglas

To return this maxicard, I found another stamp set for the postage, it is Europa series issued on 1995 to commemorate 50th anniversary of World War II. The stamps illustrate Peel Castle of Douglas and the broken fence respectively, but using doves for the same element. Actually I don't want to talk politics here and I am not super fan of Europa series - although I collected most issues of 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001. If just talk the stamps, they look beautiful and they can call bird stamps, even they are pictorial and decorated.

For me, I also collect pictorial or decorated bird stamps, mostly are dove. But they are not in priority order to collect as most of them meaningless or related to other themes. For this example, it more related to war or castle themes instead of bird theme.

Crabs of Cocos (Keeling) Islands

2010-03-11T22:05:00.001+08:00

From left to right :
5c : Little Nipper (葛氏陸方蟹) ; 5c : Purple Crab (兇狠圓軸蟹)
45c : Smooth-banded Ghost Crab (平掌沙蟹)
45c : Horn-eyed Ghost Crab (角眼沙蟹)
Cocos (Keeling) Islands (2000)
21st December, 2009. Cocos Keeling Island

These four crabs are widely to be found in west Pacific area, however they are not normally appear on Cocos (Keeling) Islands, where are the islands located in the east of Indian Ocean. Little Nipper widely to be found in Indian Ocean and west tropical Pacific Ocean, it looks puprle and black. Purple Crab is a large crab, mostly lives in the islands of Samoa, French Polynesia to East Africa, also to be found in Taiwan and Hoinam. It is in purple-reddish colour or purple-greyish colour. Smooth-banded Ghost Crab and Horn-eyed Ghost Crab widely live in the coastlines of east Asia, from southern-Japan to islands of south Pacific, they also live in Red Sea and South Africa.

Frangipani

2010-03-05T22:15:00.001+08:00

Vanuatu Frangipani (緬梔花)
Vanuatu (2009)
14th May, 2009. Port Vila

Frangipani originally planted in Latin America and West Indian, this shrub (灌木) with beautiful flowers in pink and milky outside and yellowish inside. As its look similar as egg, some people call it as 'Egg Flower'. Nowadays there have 50 different species planted in the world and the tree mostly to be found in backyard or garden for viewing. Or in medication or food additive.

In Pacific countries and islands, Frangipani is used for making leis and in modern Polynesian culture, women often wear the flower circle or accessories to show their relationship. Also decoration is another popular usage in the countries and islands.

Kōrakuen, Okayama

2010-02-17T21:00:00.005+08:00

Kōrakuen (岡山後樂園)
Japan (2000)
17th November, 2008. Okayama (Tenjincho)

Kōrakuen is located in Okayama-shi of Okayama, which founded in 1700 by Ikeda Tsunamasa. It also is one of the three greatest gardens in Japan, total area 133,000m². In 1687, the daimyo Ikeda Tsunamasa ordered Tsuda Nagatada to begin construction of the Korakuen, and finished in 1700. Afterwards in 1863, it turned to modern form until present time. It opened to public at 1884 when the owner of the garden transferred the ownership to Okayama Prefecture. During the flooding of 1934 and World War II, the garden suffered severe damage, it restored Edo period paintings and diagrams after the destroyed.

Lubrapex 2009

2009-12-31T00:00:00.004+08:00

Cork industry (軟木工業)
Portugal (2007)
28th November, 2007. Lisbon (First day postmark)
10th October, 2009. Évora (Special postmark)
15th October, 2009. Évora
21st October, 2009. Hongkong

In 2nd to 11th of October, the year's largest philatelic exhibition of Portugal was held on Évora, one of main city in the Alentejo area. This event was the 20th philatelic exhibition between Portuguese and Brazilian, in the meantime 2 Portuguese postal administrations Cape Verde and Macao had participated in the exhibition. In these 10 days, Portugal Post designed couple of special postmarks in different themes and the postmark used on 10th of October is Dia do Alentejo (Day of Alentejo / 阿連特茹日). It illustrated a cork tree grows in the field of Alentejo area.

The above first day cover and stamp originally issued on 2007, to illustrate cork industry of Portugal. Cork industry is one of the main industry in Alentejo area. Also Portugal is the world's largest producer and exporter of cork, most of corks are using on plug of wire bottle in worldwide or local souvenirs. This stamp specially printed on thinned cork, it was the first cork stamp in the world, only 23,000 copies were produced and sold out already.

The cover re-postmarked the special cancellation Dia do Alentejo and sent by registered mail to Hongkong on 15th October, the back side of cover affixed two more definitive stamps and postmarked on the day of sending.

Lest we forget - summer

2009-12-23T00:20:00.006+08:00

Today is the shortest daytime in the northern part of the world and also it is a traditional big festival in Chinese cultural called Midwinter (冬至). However I more prefer summer as it is more comfortable than cold and wet weather in winter, in here I would show two maxicards which came from Guam and French Polynesia. These cards are same photograph but the stamps are different, first one is dawn of Hagåtña, Guam. Hagåtña is the capital city of Guam located in the west coastline of Guam, there chose as an actress of 2007 airmail definitive stamp of the United States. Another one is a famous vacation island in the world called Tahiti, it is the largest island of French Polynesia, its capital Papeete located on the north-west of the island.

Hagåtña, Guam (關島阿加尼亞)
United States (2007)
26th May, 2009. Hagåtña Station, Guam

Tourist activity (旅遊活動)
French Polynesia (1992)
30th June, 2009. Papeete Central, Tahiti

Børglum Kloster

2009-11-23T00:00:00.003+08:00

Børglum Kloster (波格蘭修道院)
Denmark (1980)
16th October, 2007. Sydjyllands

An interesting mail with one corner block of four and one of oldest world definitive stamp from Denmark, two stamps are old enough and used them on mail after 27 years ! The pretty block illustrated Børgium Kloster is one of famous abbey in Denmark, it originally was a royal farm since 1000. In 1180, Premonstratensian established there as a daughter house of Steinfeld Abbey and it was dissolved in October 30th of 1536, when Denmark became officially Lutheran country. Nowadays, part of the former abbey became museum to show the history of the heritage site and other as the local parish church.

Udawalawe National Park

2009-11-10T21:05:00.009+08:00

Rs. 5,00 : Water Buffaloes (水牛) ; Rs. 15,00 : Sri Lankan Elephant (亞洲象)
Sri Lanka (2007)
31st October, 2007. Battaramulla (Camp post office first day postmark)
31st October, 2007. Colombo (Headquarters)

This card stored in my collection and I forgotten its exist near two years, before I viewed an elephant collection by Thomas. I think it still a maxicard, although cancellation on the picture side near unclear and unreadable. This stamp set, featuring four manuals Water Buffalo, Sri Lankan Elephant, Ceylon Ruddy Mongoose (赤獴) and Grey Langur (長尾葉猴) are common species to be found in Udawalawe National Park. The national park has 30,812 hectares established in 1972, where located in Moneragala of Uva Province and Ratnapura of the Sabaragamuwa Province.

The elephant stamp named as herd of elephants, however designer only drawn three elephants, it feels oddly to use herd of the stamp. Compare with postcard, the photograph seems more look like a herd of elephants - couple of visitors observing the elephants drinking water in the river.

Orchids (1)

2009-10-23T21:45:00.006+08:00

70c : Laeliacattleya (蕾麗亞嘉德麗雅蘭) ; $1,40 : Phalaenopsis (Kathy Saegert 蝴蝶蘭)
55c : Epidendrum (哥斯大黎加樹蘭) ; 65c : Cattleya Guttaca (虎斑嘉德麗雅蘭)
Barbados (1992)
13th May, 2009. General Post Office

Actually, this cover scanned for a long time but haven't show to public, the reason is this stamp set is not bird theme. After launch this sub-page, it is a good place to show this one, or more frequency to post other frozen cover files from my hard disk. But anyway, original page have the most priority of update.

Above stamp set issued on 1992 which used watercolour method to illustrate four local subspecies or variety orchids. Flower names are shown on the stamps as above, it is not easy to find their Chinese translation names from internet thus they may have some mistake.

The traditional steel cancellation on above envelope seems attractive, I hope I can plan another cover with bird stamps send from Barbados again in future.

Tourist mail (2)

2009-09-02T22:44:00.003+08:00

4,00 ptcs. : Cake mold (餅模) ; 2,50 ptcs. : Whetstone (磨刀石)
1,50 ptcs. : Sand basin (鑿炮沙盆) ; 3,50 ptcs. : Stone mill (石磨)
Macao (2009)
17th August, 2009. Coloane

Few weeks ago, I had a day trip to Macao and then go Zhongshan for one night. Actually I only stayed in Coloane but no other places as I have been visited there many times. Of course I didn't forget to send letter for myself during visiting. Most of stamps after 1999 are selling in post offices normally, they are attractive for tourist and have rich historian value, I selected two sets for the mails, they are traditional instruments and heritage sites of Macao respectively.

The first one features 4 traditional instruments issued on 2009, those instruments are important tools of different workshops, nowadays some of them still in used in produce mooncake or refuse sharpen knife. Another issue released on 2005 to celebrate Macao's heritage city area listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site successfully, the area includes more than 20 buildings and plazas, their different styles came from Chinese, Portuguese, Indian and Arabic. In 2008, a set of definitive stamps features 8 sights issued by post office and it has been shown here.

Unfortunately, until now Macao doesn't produce any animal or bird stamps after 1999. So pity that here will not have any new cover can be shown in short period.

2,00 ptcs. : Casa da Cheang (鄭家大屋) ; 3,50 ptcs : Teatro de Pedro V (伯多祿五世劇院)
1,50 ptcs. : Seminário e Igreja de São José (聖若瑟修院大樓及聖堂)
1,00 ptc. : Templo de A-Má (媽閣廟) ; 8,00 ptcs. : Ruínas de São Paulo (大三巴牌坊)
Macao (2005)
17th August, 2009. Largo do Senado

Endangered animals under water

2009-07-24T23:15:00.002+08:00

Base on many reasons, population of some species may decreasing in recent years. Below species except Green Tree Monitor, are listed as endangered species according to IUCN Red List. The same features of below species are they living in land or under water.

Green Tree Monitor (翡翠巨蜥) ; Sea Otter (海獺)
United Nations (Geneva) (2000)
2nd March, 2008. Geneva (Switzerland)

Sea Otter widely lives in seashore of Pacific Ocean, from the north of Japan to California, subspecies are California Sea Otter (加州海獺) and Alaskan Sea Otter (阿拉斯加海獺) separately. From 18th century to the first ten years of 20th century, population of Sea Otter were decreased over 75%. Afterward the population increased back after prohibit hunting but they decrease again. Until 2000, only 1,700 Sea Otters still alive.

Mediterranean Monk Seal (地中海僧海豹) ; Loggerhead Sea Turtle (赤蠵龜)
Madeira (2007)
15th July, 2008. Loures Shopping, Odivelas (Portugal)

Mediterranean Monk Seal mainly lives in Mediterranean, Black Sea and eastern area of Atlantic Ocean, only 350 to 400 seals still live in these water area. Since 15th century, illegal hunting were killed many monk seals, include Hawaiian Monk Seal (夏威夷僧海豹) and Caribbean Monk Seal (加勒比僧海豹). Unfortunately Caribbean Monk Seal have been declared extinct on 50's year of last century and Hawaiian Monk Seal remains not over 1,200.

Same as Mediterranean Monk Seal, Loggerhead Sea Turtle also facing extinct problem, it also lives in Mediterranean. As the inhabit area over developed by human, turtles do not have enough suitable beaches to bleed their eggs, or eggs be stolen by people. Moreover illegal fishing or not suitable fishing nets cause the population decreasing.

Butterflies of Hongkong

2009-06-30T21:25:00.002+08:00

$1,40 : Large Faun (串珠環蝶) ; $1,80 : Red-spot Sawtooth (紅肩鋸粉蝶)
$2,40 : Shan Nawa (忘憂尾蛺蝶) ; $3,00 : Spotted Royal (豹斑雙尾灰蝶)
$5,00 : Yellow Coster (苧麻珍蝶)
Hongkong (2007)
14th June, 2007. Cheungshawan

Yesterday shown two butterfly stamps issued by Hongkong, they come from the second series of Hongkong Butterflies, the first one features with three stamps issued on 1979. Here is the first day cover of the second series of Hongkong Butterflies. In Hongkong, only three places are paradises of butterflies, they are Taipo Au, Fung Yuen of Taipo and Siu Lang Shui of Tuenmun. There are more than 200 species butterfly can be found in Hongkong, some of them are endemic to its place.

However, as the slacked protection policy held by the government, the places around Fung Yuen and Siu Lang Shui are facing development procedure for resident area and the paradises to be endangered.

White Wagtail

2009-06-29T18:50:00.002+08:00

White Wagtail (白鶺鴒)
Hongkong (2006)
7th February, 2009. Leimukshui

White Wagtail is very common migrating bird in Hongkong, mostly can be found in parks located in New Territories, of course many of birds are live in Maipo and rounded wetlands. This species commonly breeds in Eurasia area and flies to south like south-east Asia or Africa for winter time.

Above cover is come from a parcel so the postmarks are not clear enough, the cover also featured five Large Faun (串珠環蝶) butterfly stamps issued on 2007. Below mail franked with another butterfly stamp from the same stamp set, this butterfly called Spotted Royal.

Spotted Royal (豹斑雙尾灰蝶)
Hongkong (2007)
11th February, 2009. Kwai Fong
12th February, 2009. Shatin Central

Protect our children

2009-05-31T14:40:00.002+08:00

Protect our children (保護我們的兒童)
Jordan (2005)
12th November, 2007. Jabel al webdeh, Amman
13th November, 2007. Amman

Many countries have been issued children stamps to commemorated children's day or charity event about children in its countries. Here shown one cover franked with a set of children stamps issued by Jordan in 2005, an arab country in middle-east. Three stamps are designed in dutone colours with same theme photograph an adult how to protect a child. However, until now still have many children don't have suitable education and protection, this situation does not only appear in some poor countries, sometimes we can heard bad news of children came from developed countries. To let their resident to remember they should protect their children, some countries celebrate their children's day on 1st June.

Preserve the Polar Regions and Glaciers

2009-05-17T16:55:00.002+08:00

Arctic Tern (北極燕鷗)
Canada (2009)
27th April, 2009. Semans, Saskatchewan

In late-2008, two postal admissions Finland and Chile decided to cooperate hold a project of preserve polar regions and glaciers issue, facing the environment problem of glaciers in polar regions and high mountains are disappearing in recent years, two postal admissions known that stamp is the best media to promote this affair to each people in different corners. More than 40 countries joined this campaign and will be issued the same theme stamps in this year, here shown two of them, Canada and Algeria, different designs telling what species live in two polar regions or artist illustration of this affair.

Canadian stamps shown three species : Arctic Tern originally lives and breeds in wide range of North Pole area, after summer the bird migrates to another pole - Antarctica, for finding food until the autumn of Antarctica is coming, it flies over 38,000 km approximately between two poles in each year. Adélie Penguin (阿德利企鵝) and Emperor Penguin (皇帝企鵝), which shown in the lower part of souvenir sheet's frame are live in Antarctica.

Preserve the Polar Regions and Glaciers (保護極地與冰川)
Algeria (2009)
28th March, 2009. M'Sila (First day special postmark)
2nd April, 2009. Sétif
4th May, 2009. Hongkong

Fijian Monkey-faced Bat

2009-05-03T21:15:00.002+08:00

Fijian Monkey-faced Bat (斐濟尖齒狐蝠)
Fiji (1997)
2nd March, 2009. Suva
6th March, 2009. Registration office, Fiji

Fijian Monkey-faced Bat is endemic to Fiji now listed as critically endangered species, it only can be found in mountain area of Taveuni, the third large island of Fiji. In wild area, only a pair to five bats have been recorded in recent years and it being extinct in the wild.

The above cover is part of request of Fijian Dove issue, thus the cancellation is same as other two shown in here. Two extra definitive stamps illustrate Striated Heron (綠鷺) and Island Thrush (白頭鶇) were made-up for the enough postage, issued on 1995 and 2003 separately but overprinted with new value in unknown day.

Seastars of Indian Ocean

2009-04-11T23:00:00.002+08:00

34p : Crown-of-Thorns (棘冠星魚) ; 15p : Cushion Star (饅頭海星)
26p : Azure Sea Star (藍指海星) ; 56p : Banded Bubble Star (赤麗棘海星)
British Indian Ocean Territory (2001)
18th February, 2009. Diego Garcia, Chagos

This is the first mail sent from BIOT, I felt disappoint as not bird stamps, cover franking with first WWF issue of BIOT illustrated four different sea stars, anyway it still looks nice and hope will receive bird stamps in next mail. Four seastars are seem common in Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean, as this area like Seychelles, Maldives and Mauritius are popular for diving, some visitors caught them as souvenir caused the quantity of them are decreasing.

British Indian Ocean Territory is in the middle of Indian Ocean, same far away from east bank of Africa and Indonesia, wihich occupied by Great Britain for military facility used by the country and United States.

Anonymous letter

2009-04-06T18:50:00.002+08:00

International Year of Planet Earth (國際行星地球年)
Malta (2008)
11th February, 2009. Marsa

When I was sent my request to one post office in Malta on January, I hope that it will help me cancel nice postmarks on my mail - of course for philatelist. My mail franked with a set of seahorse stamps originally issued on 2002, which their face values are in old currency of Malta while the country begins to use Euro since 2008, so I worried it may be bounced back to me. After a month, I received above mail, it included the request mail without any cancellation, one message without signature and no sender address. The message only says the stamps are not valid on postage, quite interesting.

UNESCO was held International Year of Planet Earth on 2008, many countries issued related stamps and most of them illustrated space, trees and ocean, seem boring as all stamps are look same. This anonymous letter franked with one of this issue, a tree grows in the grassland. But I checked Malta Post website where doesn't have any detail of this photograph.

Giant Panda in three places

2009-03-26T23:40:00.002+08:00

Here I would show some Giant Panda (大熊貓) issues from three places - Hongkong, Taiwan and China. Giant Panda is endemic to Sichuan of China, It is a cute animal with white and black colours live in mountain area. Not only in China, the species is very famous in the world and it may be on behalf of China. The World Wild Fund is using Panda be its organisation logo, one reason is the cute image and popular in the world.

China (1985)
8th March, 2009. Wolong, Sichuan
25th March, 2009. Hongkong

Government of China had set up a conservation area in Wolong. Wolong National Natural Reserve is in the west of Sichuan but damaged by earthquake last year, most of Giant Pandas moved to Yaan and now the original reserve area is rebuilding. Above cover was sent from Wolong, Sichuan.

To celebrate 10th anniversary of Hongkong appropriated by China, the central government presented a pair of Giant Panda to Hongkong and they named Ying Ying and Le Le. They live in Ocean Park with An An and Jie Jie, which where also presented by same government ten years ago. Stamps shown four different life photographs of Ying Ying and Le Le.

Hongkong (2008)
1st July, 2008. Aberdeen

Taiwan (2009)
20th January, 2009. Muzha, Taipei
(features first day special postmark)

The central government also presented a pair of Giant Panda to Taiwan, however as many reasons, these two pandas held in Sichuan few years but afterward they travelled to Taiwan last late-December, and they got an ugly name Tuan Tuan and Yuen Yuen and live in The Taipei Zoo, Muzha. Thanks James sent me couple of first day covers of the stamps, those stamps designed in Taiwan, perhaps designer used too much computer effect, stamps look boring and not near natural.

Folk implements

2009-03-20T15:10:00.002+08:00

There have more than ten thousands year history of human and each ethnic have their own history. Although their implements in each ethnic have same use method, they only look similar due to different culture. Here are three different places of implements stamps, which are Macao, Taiwan and Tunisia respectively.

Macao

3,50 ptcs. : Woodcarving (木雕) ; 2,50 ptcs. : Rattan articles (藤器)
2,00 ptcs. : Decorative porcelain (彩瓷) ; 1,50 ptcs : Ivory carving (牙雕)
Macao (2008)
12th March, 2009. Quiosque (Ruínas de São Paulo)

After 300 years of Portuguese occupation, most of implements mixed with Chinese and Portuguese styles. Those folk implements are famous in western market, especially ceramics vase, wooden drawer and rattan basket. Stamps shown four Macao made artistic implements and craft products, and craftsmen of these implements.

Taiwan

From left to right :

NT$5,00 : Gift basket (謝籃) ; NT$5,00 : Wooden carrying box (木盛)
NT$12,00 : Bridal sedan chair (花轎) ; NT$12,00 : Candle sticks (燭臺)
Taiwan (2009)
10th February, 2009. Ai 3rd Road, Keelung
(features first day special postmark)

Four ceremonial objects are used by local ethnic groups, all of them are made with wood or rattan. Those Taiwan ethnic groups have their own culture and history, which very different than China, its neighourhood country. The line-art drawings show how to use these implements.

Tunisia

The toilet ewer (洗手間用水壺)
Tunisia (2004)
11th March, 2008. El Manar, Tunis
25th March, 2008. Hongkong

This traditional copper ewer used in toilet, to carry water for washing hand after used. In arabic, only left hand can be used in toilet and will not use toilet paper. Stamp designed in triangle format, and the above cover franked with an invert pair of this stamp and Lavender (熏衣草).

At last, thanks Macao Post of the great help, and the covers from David of Keelung and Faten of Tunis.

Navigators

2009-03-08T19:05:00.002+08:00

Alvise Cadamosto (1432-1488)

Luís de Cadamosto (路易斯德卡達莫斯托)

Cape Verde (2007)

13th August, 2008. Santa Maria, Ilha do Sal

Alvis Cadamosto, as known as Luís de Cadamosto in Portuguese, is an experienced Italian sailor who hired by Portuguese Prince Henry in 15th century. In 1455, Prince Henry chose he be a captain of voyage who towards south and arrived Gambia, Madeira, Canary Islands, Senegal and Cape Verde. The stamp is commemorated him arrive Cape Verde 550th anniversary.

Nicolas Baudin (1754-1803)

Bicentenary of the Baudin Expedition (尼古拉斯鮑定旅程 200 週年紀念)

Mauritius (2001)

18th December, 2008. Port Louis

Nicolas Baudin was a French voyager, he is the leader of Baudin Expedition who began the voyage in October 1800. He arrived Encounter Bay of Australia on April 1801, afterward he pointed to Sydney and then back home but stopped at Mauritius, as he died of tuberculosis.

His voyage team brought many new species back to France, included extinct King Island Emu (王島鴯鶓) from King Island, Australia and Mascarene Martin (馬島原燕) from Mauritius. One stamp in this set is illustrated Mascarene Martin however not shown in the above envelope.

At last, thanks Mr Antures of Lisbon and Miss Tegally of Mauritius for the great help of the envelopes.

Extended WWF collection (2)

2009-02-28T10:05:00.003+08:00

Left : Common Viper (極北蝰) ; Right : Fire Salamander (火蠑螈)

Belgium (2000)

21st January, 2009. Mechelen

A pair of envelope contain a set of WWF stamps issued by Belgium on nine years ago, stamps are illustrated four european Amphibians (兩棲類) and Reptiles (爬蟲類) separately. Stamps designed simply without any background, as it issued on 2000, face values are indicated in two currencies - Belgian Franc and Euro.

Fire Salamander and Sand Lizard are being popular pets nowadays, although whole skin of Fire Salamander is poisonous. Many websites teach people how to pet those species at home or bleeding juvenile. As like as most species, wild lived habitants are decreasing in recent years, especially in Europe.

Covers feature extra Buzin stamps issued on 2005, it is Marsh Tit (泥澤山雀). It is very common in Europe except Spain and Portugal, and can be found in forest of north-east China. In China, it is traditional pet as they can sing a nice sound, thus they are facing illegal hunting and trading in its place for a long time.

Left : Sand Lizard (捷蜥蜴) ; Right : Common Tree Frog (歐洲樹蟾)

Belgium (2000)

21st January, 2009. Mechelen

Geum River

2009-02-27T13:31:00.002+08:00

Geum River (錦江)

Korea, Republic of (2009)

10th February, 2009. Seoul (features first day special postmark)

Geum River is in the north-east part of South Korea, totally 401 km long makes it is the third longest river in this country. It originates in Jangsu-eub, North Jeolla Province and emptying into the Yellow Sea near Gunsan city. Estuary of Geum river is located in Chungnam and Jeonbuk, which a place for migratory birds especially Eurasian Oystercatcher (蠣鴴) and Saunders's Gull (黑嘴鷗).

It is the third set of Korean rivers series issued by Korea Post, beautiful illustrations of four seasons are used on each stamp, thanks Jung Min the nice first day cover. On the cover features a Tawny Owl (灰林鴞) stamp which is a definitive stamp issued on 2005, certainly I like the owl stamp more than the river stamp set. Tawny Owl is widely live in Europe and Far East, as its sound and habitation, people always think it related to accidents and dead.

Extended WWF collection (1)

2009-02-27T13:01:00.002+08:00

Chinese White Dolphin (中華白海豚)

Hongkong (1999)

14th November, 1999. Maonshan

On today and tomorrow, I would like to show three groups of cover which are not related to birds, they are responsible to my swap partners. First one is a posted first day cover of Chinese White Dolphin issued by Hongkong in 1999, it is the only one and first WWF issue of Hongkong, and only two WWF sets have been issued in great Chinese area - other one is Chinese Pangolin (穿山甲) issued by Macao in 1995.

Most of dolphins are live in offshore of Cheklapkok Airport, southern Lantau and Tai O. People begin to pay attention to them since the location of new airport confirmed at Cheklapkok on 1992. Before the reclamation of airport, Cheklapkok and Tung Chung, north Lantau was a natural environment and wetland for different species, included endemic species Romer's Tree Frog (盧文氏樹蛙) which only be found in there and Lamma Island. Nowadays, only the dolphins can be seen in original offshore area but frogs are moved to other places.

As the licensing problem, only stamps, pre-paid postcards and first day cover carry WWF logo. The beautiful souvenir sheet which shown continuing actions of dolphins is without logo. After a year, Hongkong Post reprinted the $5 stamp on one sheetlet to commemorate stamp exhibition held on 2001.

Heritage sites of Macao

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5,00 ptcs : Greja de Santo António (聖安多尼教堂)

4,50 ptcs : Quartel dos Mouros (港務局大樓)

1,50 ptcs : Fortaleza do Monte (大炮台)

3,00 ptcs : Largo do Senado (議事亭前地)

3,50 ptcs : Sam Kai Vui Kun (三街會館)

Macao (2008)

8th August, 2008. Largo do Senado

Since Portuguese arrived Macao on 1557 and many events afterward, Macao became a colony of Portugal, it was the first European enclave in Asia, many monuments have been built in these year. In 2005, those historical monuments listed as UNESCO world cultural heritage sites. To propose these sites, Macao Post issued a set of definitive stamps on last year, which includes 8 different Chinese or Portuguese style monuments. The above envelope included 5 of them are majority located at central area of Macao, sent from the oldest post office in central area after a week of issue day. The maxicard presented as below, is a famous Ruins of St Paul Catholic Church. The church damaged after three times of fire accidents and only front side has been kept until now. The card show bird-eyes view of the church and inner harbour in 50's years of last century and the stamp issued on 2003 to show a painting collection of Museum of Macao.

Maxicard

Ruínas de São Paulo (大三巴牌坊)

Macao (2003)

8th August, 2008. Largo do Senado

COMESA

2009-02-13T13:10:00.002+08:00

COMESA (東南非共同市場)

Eritrea (1995)

7th April, 2008. Asmara

The stamp set was issued by Eritrea in 1995 but not related to birds or natural. Full name of COMESA is Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, which formed in 1994. It is a trading bloc between 23 countries in Africa when it was formed, stamps in the bottom and the top shown these countries and their flags separately.

Those stamps can't be used on regular mail nowadays since the currency of Eritrea changed from Birr to Nakfa. However philatelic bureau of Eritrea kindly helped me cancel the stamps carefully and explained this information, also attached purchase form for me.

Landscapes of Netherlands Antilles

2009-02-06T20:35:00.003+08:00

40c : Sunset with palm trees (place not indicated) ; 110c : Spinner Dolphin (飛旋海豚)

Netherlands Antilles (2001)

10th April, 2008. Curaçao

Time to show other stamps beside bird. As I said before, I also collect stamps and covers other than bird, however as not enough space of my home, I mostly suggest friends send me cover with bird stamps. Of course, I understand some countries and places shall have problem, I don't mind to receive cover with natural stamps.

Above cover bearing two different design five stamps are issued on 2001 to commemorate stamp exhibition in Hongkong, There are totally 3 stamps on the set, I only keep one illustrated birds and others were sent back Netherlands Antilles for cancellations. The dolphin one, is Spinner Dolphin, can be found in eastern Pacific and shores of western Africa.

Río Manuripi

2009-01-25T18:10:00.002+08:00

Río Manuripi, Beni (貝尼省馬內貝河)

Bolivia (2007)

30th June, 2008. Miraflores, La Paz

Río Manuripi is located in the north of Bolivia, starts from Andes of Peru and passes through Pendo and Beni departments from west to east of Bolivia. Manuripi National Amazon Wildlife Reserve is inside south-eastern part of Pando, 7,470km2 of the protected area can be found 1,400 species of wildlife. The common animals are the jaguar, puma, tigrecillo and the famous Black Cayman.

African Buffalo

2009-01-10T13:10:00.002+08:00

African Buffalo (非洲水牛)

Guinea-Bissau (2002)

2nd December, 2008. Bissau

A WWF issue again, this buffalo is different than Asian species which is domestic animal, they can't be eat or make cheese from their milk. African Buffalo can be found in grasslands and floodplains located south of Sahara and Namibia. This envelope I sent on August of 2007 and just came back few days ago, it spent near 1.5 years.

7 wonders of Portugal

2009-01-02T22:31:00.003+08:00

In 2007, I visited Portugal and Spain for three weeks, this was a great and exciting trip. I sent and find many postcard when I visiting each village, town or special sights. In the meantime of my visiting, Portugal Post issues 21 stamps which called '7 wonders of Portugal', actually on the same day of my arrival. I hadn't arrange any First Day Cover, however I made some maxicards after the visit.

Here are some of them which the places I visited.

Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, Lisbon (聖哲羅姆派修道院)
Portugal (2007)

14th June, 2007. Belém

A cool catholic in the west of Lisbon main business area, located in Belém district. It is cool, as the room temperature is lower than outside, perhaps as it was rainy day when I visited.

Portugal (2007)
14th June, 2007. Sintra

Palácio Nacional da Pena, Sintra (辛特拉佩納宮)
Portugal (2007)

22nd September, 2008. Vila da Sintra, Sintra

The castle built on the top of the hill, a colourful castle and interesting place. I were quite stupid to climb up the hill to save bus fare. An experience of hiking in Portugal.

Templo romano de Évora, Évora (埃武拉羅馬神殿)
Portugal (2007)

14th June, 2007. Évora

A day trip to Évora. The place full of tourists, most of them are European and not easy to find Asian. Afterward I found two Japanese in Estromez.

Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra (科英布拉大學)
Portugal (2007)

19th December, 2008. Universidad, Coimbra

I haven't plan visit Coimbra in this trip. When I arranging the schedule in Porto, I found that the way from Porto to Lisbon via Aveiro and Coimbra is cheaper than go Porto to Lisbon directly. So I decided visit these two places. I can't forget these cities - Estromez, Aveiro and Coimbra are relax enough. They are good places for holiday.

Thanks António in Coimbra and Portugal Post of their great help. And beautiful stamps on the return envelopes.