Greetings from Vanuatu

From left to right :
250v : Fairy Tern (長尾熱帶鳥) ; 130v : White-tailed Tropicbird (白尾熱帶鳥)
45v : Eastern Reef Heron (太平洋岩鷺) ; 100v : Greater Crested Tern (大鳳頭燕鷗)
Vanuatu (2009)
7th September, 2009. Port Vila

At the stamp exhibition of 2009, I had passed couple of covers to 8 postal administrations include Bhutan, Gibraltar, Singapore, Vietnam, Pitcairn Islands, New Caledonia, Greenland and Vanuatu. All of them are came back safety except Greenland one is lost. Here is the last one sent from Vanuatu franking with whole set of Greetings from Vanuatu, actually it is a redone cover as the first one without registered label and lost when sent back to Vanuatu. Unfortunately this one ruined by ball-pen during postal processing but it still looks fine.

Stamps are illustrated bird's-eye view of Vanuatu, and decorated with flower of Flamboyant (鳳凰木). The tree having reddish flowers during summer time of Vanuatu, when it is Christmas in there. Thus locals call the tree as Christmas Tree. Four sea birds shown on the stamp set are quite common in South Pacific, from Guam to New Caledonia and French Polynesia.

In a meantime, a postcard also receive from Vanuatu, it is a first and only underwater post office's postcard ! Officially it says it is waterproofed and specially cancelled in its underwater post office. However the postmark does not bear any date and hard to be observed.

Postcard

Madagascar Red Fody

Madagascar Red Fody (馬島福迪雀)
Mayotte (2009)
17th August, 2009. Mtzamboro

Madagascar Red Fody is a pretty reddish small bird, same as the name, it to be found in islands of Indian Ocean mainly range from Madagascar, La Réunion, Comoros, Mauritius and Seychelles ; and also some of them appear on St Helena of South Atlantic Ocean. Male looks red but with blackish wings, oppositely female in brownish colour of its body. The stamp, issued by Mayotte in this year illustrates a pair of bird in male and female respectively.

Mayotte is a group of few islands located in the middle of Madagascar and Union of Comoros, now is one of French overseas collectivities in South-east Africa, Union of Comoros says it is a part of its country. However Mahoran wants to keep its status until 2001 after voted in early 2009, and it to be become an overseas territory of France.

Biodiversity : Lakes of Azores

2,50 € : See below picture ; 0,32 € : Eurasian Woodcock (丘鷸)

From left to right :
Common Pochard (紅頭潛鴨), Eurasian Teal (綠翅鴨) and Grey Heron (蒼鷺)
Azores (2009)
17th September, 2009. Antero de Quental, Ponta Delgada
24th September, 2009. Hongkong

Yesterday has been shown the Bulgaria-Serbia joint issue which one of the species is Eurasian Woodcock. Today I receive back this cover from Azores, it also contains one stamp illustrated woodcock. Originally this is a first day cover of Azores issue in April, as some unexpected reasons, it delayed 5 months sent from there. Four stamps and two souvenir sheets of this stamp set, total amount in 8,80 € to show six biodiversity lakes of Azores, only one stamp and one souvenir sheet have birds shown as above.

0,32 € stamp illustrates Lagoa Comprida where located in Flores Island, in the farther north-western of São Miguel. The lake rounded by mountains and the highest point of this island - Morro alto, is not far from the north of the lake. 2,50 € souvenir sheet illustrates Lagoa das Furnas, it located in the parish of Furnas, São Miguel. Furnas was a stratovolcano with two calderas approximately 30,000 years ago and afterwards the calderas became crater lakes, Lagoa das Furnas is one of the lack. Now the lake full of hot springs and sometimes have stream come out from water.

So pity that the cover only sent from Ponta Delgada, the largest town of Azores. My plan is sent it from Furnas, the nearest town of Lagoa das Furnas. On the back of cover postmarked twice by Hongkong Post, perhaps the postman forgot to adjust the date of postmark.

Joint issue - Bulgaria and Serbia

22d : Eurasian Woodcock (丘鷸) ; 46d : Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush (白背磯鶇)
Serbia (2009)
4th September, 2009. Kanjiza

There have two joint issues I want to collect this year, one is Iran-Portugal joint issue and another one is Bulgaria-Serbia joint issue. Actually these four species may duplicate in my collection, but they seem interesting and the covers of these countries I didn't own before. Here is a pair of Bulgaria-Serbia covers sent from these two countries, the Serbia one is not easy to collect wheile two covers have been lost in journey.

In here I don't want to repeat introduce these two species - Eurasian Woodcock and Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush, they shown before in Belgium and Swiss issues. However, different than Swiss one, the Rock-Thrush in this issue illustrated as blue colour, as the birds may change their feather to blue in spring and back to white in winter.

The stamps, except two birds, illustration of backgrounds are vary in these two issues, it caused Bulgaria one looks oddly. Bulgaria also issued a same illustration pre-paid envelope for the series, left-side of envelope illustrated someone hunting a Marsh Harrier (白腹鷂) in rural area. Thanks Iajcsak from Majdan and Ivan from Sofia of their nice covers.

0,60l : Eurasian Woodcock (丘鷸) ; 1,00l : Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush (白背磯鶇)
Bulgaria (2009)
28th May, 2009. Sofia

Akohekohe and Cardinal Myzomela

L : Akohekohe (冠旋蜜鳥) ; R : Cardinal Honeyeater (深紅攝蜜鳥)
United States (1998)
11th August, 2009. Kansas City (Stamp Fulfillment Service), Missouri

Akohekohe is an endemic species to Hawaii, now the population are estimated to 1.200 and being endanger, most of them live in East Maui Watershed. Same as most endemic species of Honeyeater in Hawaii, it also faces over-hunting and the change of resident area but luckily it still remains. Cardinal Honeyeater to be found in Hawaii to Guam, and islands of South Pacific located in Fiji, Micronesia and Samoa. Now it listed as an endangered species and its subspecies Guam Cardinal Honeyeater (關島深紅攝蜜鳥) has been extinct since 1984.

This cover originally sent from Guam which attached a cancelled maxicard, however it gone to Stamp Fulfillment Service of Kansas City.

Joint issue - France and India

L : Gallic Rooster (高盧雄雞) ; R : India Peafowl (藍孔雀)
France (2003)
24th August, 2009. Forum-des-halles, Paris

It is the second time to post joint issue stamps here, the first one was Hongkong, which cooperated with Sweden on 2003. This stamp set, designer illustrated the emblems of these two countries by decorative method - Gallic Rooster (La coq gaulois) of France and India Peafowl of India, and stamps printed in multi-coloured intaglio.

Gallia is the old name of France area which named by Roman Empire (27 BC-395), and also the word gallia means rooster in Latin language. Gallic Rosster became an emblem since the first republic era while it appears on the national flag. India Peafowl is a national bird of India, different then Green Peafowl (綠孔雀), the body is in blue colour. It mainly lives in Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka. Nowadays, same as Green Peafowl, many of peafowls fed by zoos or peoples.

At last, I would say thanks to François who sent me couple of covers from France, they are very attractive.

Wetland birds of Thailand

Upper : Black-winged Stilt (黑翅長腳鷸) ; Lower : Painted Stork (彩鸛)
Thailand (1997)
22nd August, 2009. Samsennai, Bangkok

Thanks Terdsak for this mail, the stamps on the cover issued more than 10 years ago and I collected them in block of 4 and mini-sheet after the issue day. The post office issued many beautiful bird stamps in the past 30 years include ducks, parrots and hornbills, unfortunately it hasn't continuous to issue bird stamps after 2001 and latest issue is Green Peafowl (綠孔雀), which issued on 2008.

This stamp set illustrates 4 species quite common to be found in wetland of Thailand. They also like appear on field and waterfront. Stamps shown the Black-winged Stilt in field and Painted Stork in wetland.

Birds of Nicaragua (2)

From left to right :
Keel-billed Toucan (彩虹巨嘴鳥) ; Bananaquit (蕉森鶯)
Golden-olive Woodpecker (高原啄木鳥) ; Painted Bunting (麗色彩鵐)
Black-collared Hawk (黑領鷹)
Nicaragua (2000)
10th August, 2009. León

Here is lower part of Nicaraguan bird stamp sheet, the upper part has been shown here few days ago. Same as upper part, these 5 stamps drawn colourful species in Nicaragua, and the range of Latin America to Amazon Forest. However some of species live and breed in high mountain area.

Specially descriptive Keel-billed Toucan, it is a national bird of Belize, and also famous and popular pet bird in the world as its attractive colourful and big bill. But it is not easy to feed, due to their diet require a lot of fruit and is sensitive to haemochromatosis.

Helmeted Guineafowl

Helmeted Guineafowl (頭盔珠雞)
Namibia (1997)
10th August, 2009. Windhoek Central
22nd August, 2009. Hongkong

Helmet Guineafowl is a most common guineafowl in Africa, it mainly breeds in the south of Sahara but except high mountain area. Helmeted Guineafowl looks funny while it has large body and small helmeted head, which coloured in red and blue with sharp yellowed bill. This Namibian stamp illustrates a guineafowl in Kalahari Desert where is one of the largest arid to semi-arid sandy area in this country, it also covered south-west of Botswana and north part of South Africa.

Summer birds

23p : Dartford Warbler (波紋林鶯) ; 17p : Short-toed Treecreeper (短趾旋木雀)
Jersey (1993)
26th August, 2009. St Saviour (Philatelic Bureau)

Basically it is not a good mail which original sent by registered mail, unfortunately Jersey Post did not cooperate due to the unreasonable reason of some stamps gone to back side of envelope and they are too tight for cancellation. It only done the front side for me without any regret. It is first time to meet such poor post office when I send the mails over the world.

Above stamps issued on 1992 and 1993, illustrated winter bird Firecrest (火冠戴菊) and summer birds to be found in Jersey, they seem very common in Channel Islands, Ireland and England. And also west Europe and north-west of Africa.

Definitive stamps of Canada

$1 : Great Northern Diver (普通潛鳥) ; $2 : Peregrine Falcon (擬游隼)
Canada (1998, 2005)
24th June, 2008. Semans, Saskatchewan

In last century of post-90's years, Canada Post begins issue new designed high value definitive stamps feature animals and birds, which to replace architecture series. Denominations include the highest value stamp in Canada from $1 to $8. Here is two of them, thanks Eve of her nice cover. Great Northern Diver widely to be found in Canada or northern America, also some of birds live in Iceland, same as other loons, it can dive as deep as 60m for finding foods. The bird also appears on the $1 coin and $20 notes of Canada.

Peregrine Falcon is a common prey in the world, and there have many subspecies live in different area. Only northern and north-west of Canada can be seen the appearances. The stamp, issued on 2005, to replace same denomination illustrated Polar Bear, was issued on the same day of Great Northern Diver stamp.

Birds of Nicaragua (1)

From left to right :
Scarlet Macaw (緋紅金剛鸚鵡) ; Double Yellow-headed Amazon (雙黃頭亞馬遜鸚鵡)
Green Kingfisher (綠魚狗) ; Ruby-throated Hummingbird (紅喉北蜂鳥)
Resplendent Quetzal (鳳尾綠咬鵑)
Nicaragua (2000)
10th August, 2009. León

Some of Latin American countries always issue many stamps are colourfully and attractive, however they are not popular and welcome in philatelic market, many collector's thought they are commercial issues and mostly not for postal use. It is so pity that some of species only appear on these stamps and no other replacement. Above Nicaragua sheet which divided into two seems one of them, but now it stamped full of postmarks and found it in my mailbox last month, thanks Jean-Michel his covers.

In past, both five birds are quite common in Latin America to Amazon area, unfortunately as many reasons like they became popular pet in the world, folk teals in locals or illegal hunting and trading, some of population were decreasing. Now Double Yellow-headed Amazon listed endangered species and Resplendent Quetzal nears danger.

Razorbill and Bonelli's Eagle

L : Razorbill (刀嘴海雀) ; R : Bonelli's Eagle (白腹山鵰)
Gibraltar (2008)
15th February, 2009. Gibraltar (first day postmark)

In last year, when I posted an envelope from Gibraltar, I also say that I have been sent one IRC to Gibraltar post office, for exchange some stamps. It returned few days ago, thanks Gibraltar Philatelic Bureau for the nice stamps and cancellation. Once again, it franked with newest definitive stamps issued on 2008. This excellent illustrated bird definitive set contains 14 stamps and there to be continued issue three more stamps on 15th September of 2009.

These two species, are very common in southern Europe and northern Africa, here has been written their description in different Portugal issues. Gibraltar located next to Spain's south boundary and opposites of Morocco, conjunction of Mediterranean and Atlantic, it also not far away from Portugal.

Bonelli's Eagle (白腹山鵰)
Portugal (2007)
12th June, 2009. Lisbon (Philatelic Bureau)

Migratory birds of Malaysia

30 sen : Crested Honey Buzzard (鳳頭蜂鷹) ; 50 sen : Purple Heron (紫鷺)
RM 1 : Lesser Crested Tern (小鳳頭燕鷗)
Malaysia (2005)
6th August, 2009. Muar, Johor

In last month, I participated an envelope swapping group in postcrossing forum, here is one from Malaysia with whole set of attractive bird stamps on coloured envelope, thanks newrule of this nice cover. This stamp set issued on 4 years ago illustrated three Malaysian migratory birds, Crested Honey Buzzard breeds in Asia, from central Siberia to Japan and migrates to tropical Asian countries like the Philippines, Malaya Peninsula and Island of Borneo. Purple Heron widely breeds in Eurasia, southern Europe, Africa, Madagascar and mainland China. It also migrates to topical areas and can be found in field and wetlands. Lesser Crested Tern is a seabird, it looks like Chinese Crested Tern (黑嘴端鳳頭燕鷗) but its bill in orange colour. However it is more common than Chinese Crested Tern as it can be found in offshore from Red Sea to western Pacific Ocean and Australia.

Griffon Vulture

FrontGriffon Vulture (黑白禿鷲)
Andorra (France)(1992)
10th August, 2009. La Vella
20th August, 2009. Hongkong

Griffon Vulture has been shown in last Israel postage label cover, and have detailed description, here is another cover come from Andorra. The Griffon Vulture is very common in southern Europe, northern Africa and Asia, especially in mountain area. Mostly they are resident prey but some of them may move to other places due to lack of food availability, the Griffon Vulture lives in the Pyrenees is one example, some of them have been vagrant to Netherlands and Belgium.

The Pyrenees is a natural border between France and Spain, also these two countries bordered Andorra as the country located inside the mountain, it elevated 11.168 ft and extended more than 400 km for separate Iberian Peninsula and continental Europe.

The cover franked full of them on both sides and looks busy, there have one Common Brimstone (鼠素粉蝶) stamp issued on 1995 and two Europa blocks issued on 2001 and 2002 respectively.

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