Bamboo Grove in Early Summer

Bamboo Grove in Early Summer (竹林初夏)
Taiwan (2010)
9th August, 2010. Yuanshan P.O., Taipei (Jhongshan District)

Bamboo Grove in Early Summer, is a modern Taiwanese painting during early 20th century which was drawn by Tsai Yun-yan (1908-1977), and now is one of collections of the Taipei Fine Arts Museum.The painting illustrates multiple layers of bamboo grove and the lives in there during early summer period. A jay, be illustrated similar to Eurasian Jay (松鴉), even it is not exactly look like.

Birds of prey and SOAR of Ireland

From left to right :

Birds of prey

55c : Common Buzzard (鵟) ; 95c : Merlin (灰背隼)

82c : Peregrine Falcon (擬游隼) ; 55c : Golden Eagle (金雕)

Ireland (2010)

SOAR

5c : Green Tiger Beetle (虎甲蟲) ; 55c : Golden Eagle (金雕)

Ireland (2010)

29th September, 2010. Blackrock, Dublin

After the Ducks issue of 2004, An Post issued another new stamp set related to bird after 6 years, four stamps are Birds of prey but so pity that they seemed nothing surprise to bird lovers as the illustrations as well as bird guide. After few weeks of this issue, the post office presented new series of SOAR (Stamps On A Roll), which are 8 postage labels feature Irish animals and marine life, is a first part of new Biodiversity definitive series. One of label is a photograph of Golden Eagle as shown above.

The labels, are available same time to counter used system and self-kiosks all over the country, are manufactured by Wincor Nixdorf form mid-2008 as well as the ones using in UK (shown in last post) and Hongkong (see related post in Soapbox). Above two labels, one with photograph Green Tiger Beetle was printed in pilot centre Blackrock post office and bottom one shown Golden Eagle is pre-printed denomination sold by philatelic bureau. As the mail sent by registered mail, the 5c label specially indicated 'RegisteredPost' at the bottom. Together with this cover, shown as left side are the certificate and receipt of the mail, the receipt printed the purchase and mailing details while the certificate proofs this mail.

Meanwhile, I would kindly say thanks to Kevin of Clare, Ireland. Who sent me missing Buzzard mint stamp, and of course below cover.

Common Buzzard (鵟)

Ireland (2010)

6th September, 2010. Cork

Post & Go labels (I)

From left to right :
House Sparrow (家麻雀) ; Wood Pigeon (斑尾林鴿) ; Blue Tit (藍山雀)
Starling (椋鳥) ; European Robin (知更鳥) ; Goldfinch (紅額金翅雀)
Great Britain (2010)
17th September, 2010. Trafalgar Square, London

In 2007, Royal Mail and Post Office tried introduce self-service posting machines in selected branches, it will be more convenient to customer to post stuff. Following the machine, there has one specially designed label using on this system, and it was firstly appeared at Bristol. The label in golden coloured with queen head, similar with Machin definitive.

After 2 years, Post Office considered change the design of labels, the idea came from the election results of Big Garden Birdwatch by RSPB. 6 of 20 be selected in first series and more will be on further issues. Six birds are commonly and popular in nationwide are House Sparrow, Wood Pigeon, Goldfinch, Blue Tit, Starling and Robin, however only 5 labels in each strip, the sixth label will be provided on next strip.

Here are three different items which arranged on day of issue, thanks Yoram of London and Montse of Spain who done great help to me. The first one features whole set of labels, five are printed in worldwide up to 20g rate and one printed in national 100g rate total value £5,71 with made-up Machin stamps. It is correct registered postage under 40g to Hongkong. The labels were printed at Trafalgar Square. Second one just features one label which printed at City of London, ordinary machine postmark be acquired.

Starling (椋鳥)
Great Britain (2010)
17th September, 2010. Mount Pleasant, London

Also, a set of self-illustrated maxicards also arrange, it was the first set self-illustrations be produced as mass production. All illustrations similar as the backgrounds of this blog and 4 selected to show as below. The second series of Bird Post & Go labels is planned to be issued on January 2011.

Maxicards


From left to right :
Wood Pigeon (斑尾林鴿) ; Starling (椋鳥)
European Robin (知更鳥) ; Goldfinch (紅額金翅雀)
Great Britain (2010)
17th September, 2010. Bristol

Raptors of Algeria

L : Golden Eagle (金雕) ; R : Peregrine Falcon (擬游隼)
Algeria (2010)
13th March, 2010. Setif

Unfortunately, until now. I don't receive a formal copy of the raptors FDC from the Algerian friend, so I only show the covers even they not look like attractive, I think it is time to give up wait for this item. Although Golden Eagle is commonly in worldwide, it only lives in Northern Africa from Tunisia to Morocco and part of Sahara area of Morocco. Peregrine Falcon, it also a common raptor in worldwide. Only F. p. pelegrinoides to be found in northern Algeria.

Also, I have been received two FDCs of this issue which sent by Ouari and Zinc, but what a shame that one of them damaged during mail processing. Only one stamp left on the cover.

Lanner Falcon (地中海隼)
Algeria (2010)
27th January, 2010. Setif
3rd March, 2010. Setif

20,00 Dinar : Peregrine Falcon (擬游隼) ; 15,00 Dinar : Golden Eagle (金雕)
20,00 Dinar : Lanner Falcon (地中海隼)
Algeria (2010)
27th January, 2010. Jijel
16th October, 2010. Jijel

Common birds of India

L : House Sparrow (家麻雀) ; R : Rock Pigeon (原鴿)
India (2010)
27th July, 2010. Kundapura Market, Udupi
6th August, 2010. Hongkong

Few days ago, in August 10, I receive a nice and interesting first day cover which was damaged ! It is the third damaged cover I receive in one week. Actually I dislike my post administration who always damages customers cover without reasonable apologies. Luckily the cover only injured bottom left area so the stamps still in fine situation. The species of stamps, not much special as the subject says Common birds, but the decoration seems beautiful in Indian old fashion style.

Chiffchaff and Great Spotted Woodpecker

Chiffchaff (嘰咋柳鶯)
Jersey (2010)
19th July, 2010. St Saviour, Jersey

Since 2007, Jersey Post issues a series of Birdlife stamp on each year with featuring 6 species of each set. The natural series Ducks and Swans was shown last week was successful illustrated by Nick Parlett and he drawn this series never finish. This time, two ordinary covers feature newest Woodland Birds series issued on April 1st of this year to be shown in here, the thanks for the arrangements by James. Same as before, I don't not have hope on the postmark as Jersey Post and its philatelic department is one of the most uncoordinated and unfriendly postal administration in the world.

Chiffchaff is a common migrated bird in European and Asian countries, mostly to be found in woodlands, when during migratory season they will move to southern Europe, Asia and northern Africa.

Great Spotted Woodpecker is a common woodpecker to be found in the woodlands of Europe, northern Asia and the most part of China. The woodpecker measures in middle size about 25cm long with a pair of 38-40cm width wings. The diet of bird is seeds of the plants.

This fourth series of Birdlife stamp set also features Jay (松鴉), Short-toed Treecreeper (短趾旋木雀), Long-tailed Tit (銀喉長尾山雀) and Turtle Dove (歐斑鳩).

Great Spotted Woodpecker (大斑啄木鳥)
Jersey (2010)
22nd September, 2010. St Saviour, Jersey

Waddenzee

See below picture for description

From left to bottom :
Eurasian Oystercatcher (蠣鴴) ; Eurasian Spoonbill (白琵鷺)
Common Eider (歐絨鴨) ; Common Seal (港海豹)
the Netherlands (2003)
1st July, 2010. Amsterdam
29th July, 2010. Zwolle

Waddenzee, in English is The Wadden Sea. Is a shallow inlet of south-east part of North Sea, it lies from the coast of the northern Netherlands, Germany and ends in the south-west of Denmark. Together with Frisian Islands, where are the group of islands in the bank of Waddenzee, it is the most important wetland and natural reserve of North Sea.

Above souvenir sheet with another sheet not shown in here issued by the Netherlands on 2003 illustrated 8 different species to be found in Frisian Islands, 6 are birds and other three are mammals and crab. They are commonly to be found in this reserve area.

Waddenzee listed as UNESCO world natural heritage site on 2009, while it was designated as a Ramsar wetland on 1987. Below is another cover bought in ebay few years ago which is an illustrated envelope sent to Jordan. The illustration shown the map of Frisian Islands and Waddenzee.

L : Eurasian Spoonbill (白琵鷺) ; R : Eurasian Oystercatcher (蠣鴴)
26th August, 2004. Sportlaan, Wolvega
30th August, 2004. Al-Jufa

Ducks of Jersey

Maxicard

Wigeon (赤頸鴨)
Jersey (2004)
16th June, 2010. Gorey

After the last stupid experience, this time I decided to send my request to sub-post office of Jersey, instead of philatelic bureau. Although the postmarks on both card and cover are not good enough, I still happy to see that they are really cancelled by postal used cancellation (not philatelic one). Gorey is in the easternmost of Jersey, where is a village with thousands of resident.

This time, I selected three Birds I stamps issued on 2004, for maxicard and postage. Wigeon, Pochard and Green-winged Teal are very common to be found in most European area.

L : Pochard (紅頭潛鴨) ; R : Eurasian Teal (綠翅鴨)
Jersey (2004)
16th June, 2010. Gorey