The migratory birds in Pakistan

From top left to bottom right :
White Stork (白鸛) : Northern Shoveler (琵嘴鴨)
Snow Goose (雪雁) ; Siberian Crane (西伯利亞白鶴)
Pakistan (2012)
27th September, 2012. Karachi

Finally, I receive first but not the very first mail from Pakistan. The very first one, is an Afghanistan postcard, sent from Pakistan. But unfortunately the stamp on the card was missing, and I am sure that mail from these countries are not safety even sent by registered mail. Anyway it is the nice first day cover I received this year.

Not surprisingly, as Pakistan stands in the migratory route from northern Asia to southern Asia or Africa, it is easy to find variety birds around the country. Above four, except Siberian Crane is very common birds in summer while they will migrate to southern Asia, Oceania or Africa.

ATM labels of Denmark (2)

From top left to bottom right :
Eurasian Bullfinch (紅腹灰雀) ; Hawfinch (錫嘴雀) ; Greenfinch (金翅雀)
Denmark (2012)
5th September, 2012. Copenhagen

After the first bird theme of last year, Denmark Post continues to choose bird be the main theme in 2012 ATM label. Three garden birds are selected and they are commonly to be found in Europe, thanks Denmark Post of the great help on the postmarking. The cover I chose as first day cover is issued by Jersey Post for Threatened Birds which released on 2012.

Below maxicards, so pity that can't be cancelled by special postmark according to the postmarking policy, however they haven't lost their value.

From left to right :
Eurasian Bullfinch (紅腹灰雀) ; Hawfinch (錫嘴雀) ; Greenfinch (金翅雀)
Denmark (2012)

5th September, 2012. Copenhagen

Singapore 2015

L : White-bellied Sea-Eagle (白腹海鵰) ; R : Olive-backed Sunbird (黃腹花蜜鳥)
Singapore (2012)
26th September, 2012. Singapore Post Centre

In 2015, it is 50th anniversary of independence of Singapore. To celebrate this event, numbers of association to hold a lot of activities in the year. In August of 2015, a worldwide classed stamp exhibition to be held in Singapore, which is one of activity for the celebration. From 2012, Singapore Post to be issued 4 series of the stamps to promote the exhibition. All of them are retro-published to early independent period of Singapore issues. The first one is 1962 Definitive issue.

White-bellied Sea-Eagle and Olive-backed Sunbird are common species to southern Asia. But, nevertheless, it is rarely to see Olive-backed Sunbird in the stamp of southern countries.

The front cover affixed another issue Giant Panda which is celebrate the arrival of a pair of Giant Pandas, Kai Kai and Jia Jia. Which presented by China.

Giant Panda (大熊貓)
Singapore (2012)

Cinderella?

Purple Heron (紫鷺)
Guinea-Bissau (2008)
21st August, 2012. Bissau

In these few years, some countries like Mozambique, Solomon Islands, Burundi or Guinea-Bissau happy to issuehuge of stamps illustrate variety sport theme, world affairs, natural and movie pop stars. However most of them are not related to these poor countries. Checked those stamps seem produced by a stamp dealer which located in Northern Europe. The dealer beside controls what themes to issue, it also has a production house to design all the artwork. Thus, all the stamps look similar if compare variety countries' issues. Anyway, still have some stamps have some collectable value, if the stamp related to the country.

Grey Crowned-Crane (灰冠鶴)
Guinea-Bissau (2008)
21st August, 2012. Bissau

Examples are two stamps issued by Guinea-Bissau. The first one is Purple Heron and second one is Grey Crowned-Crane. Unfortunately for the maxicard of Grey Crowned-Crane, except cancelled with poor postmark, the species also does not find in Western Africa.

Laughing Gull

Laughing Gull (笑鷗)
Kiribati (2008)
7th August, 2011. Bairiki, Tarawa

It is, the laughing gull seem is very normal gull species in the Caribbean Sea, however it is not normal to South Pacific. Anyway, it really have record to find the gull in South Pacific and seashore of Europe, perhaps as they migrate to there during winter seasons.

Only Kiribati issued Laughing Gull stamp in the South Pacific area, which is one of the latest definitive stamp set of the country.

Tourism in Falkland Islands

Gentoo Penguin (巴布亞企鵝)
Falkland Islands (2011)
5th July, 2011. Fox Bay

It is the summer of Falkland Islands now, in this moment is the best time to there for the tour. Not surprisingly, the most attracted activity is bird watching, especially there is kingdom of penguin. Half of penguin species to be found in Falklands and rounded islands. If you have time and not afraid the terrible joinery of the ship travelling, you can visit South George to find more seabirds include albatross and beautiful iceberg or glaciers.

Fox Bay is a second large settlement in Falklands, however it just a very small village if compare with Great Britain. You can send a postcard to your friend there as a post office also operating in Fox Bay.

King Penguin (國王企鵝)
Falkland Islands (2006)
5th July, 2011. Fox Bay

Gentoo Penguin (巴布亞企鵝)
Falkland Islands (2006)
5th July, 2011. Fox Bay