South Georgia Petrels Stamps

There are 125 species of tubenose birds, which include the petrels and albatrosses. The four species illustrated on this set of stamps represent three species of fulmarine petrel and one species of diving petrel. These birds inhabit an oceanic environment, feeding on the abundant food supply present in the Southern Ocean. They nest and breed on many islands in the Southern Ocean, including South Georgia, the three species of fulmarine petrel also breed on the South Sandwich Islands.
60p – The southern giant petrel Macronectes giganteus along with the northern giant petrel Macronectes halli is the largest of the fulmarine petrels. It is an exceedingly powerful and aggressive bird, but none the less beautiful. The vulture of the region, the males feed on the carcasses of seals and penguins and it is a truly remarkable site watching them feed in large numbers. Dominant birds will repeatedly fight and knock other birds out of the way in order to get access to a carcass. Meanwhile, smaller skuas patiently wait at a safe distance sneaking any opportunity to dive in and grab a morsel of food while the giant petrels are squabbling. While drawing a dead giant petrel found on South Georgia examination of its bill revealed how incredibly sharp and powerful the cutting edge is, the perfect instrument for tearing flesh.
70p – The snow petrel Pagodroma nivea is perhaps one of the most beautiful Antarctic birds. Called ‘the fairy of the south’ by Apsley Cherry-Garrard, they can frequently be seen associated with icebergs and pack-ice. They nest and breed amongst boulders and small rocky crevices as shown here on the stamp, often high up on cliff faces.
95p - These birds feed on crustaceans, particularly krill, sometimes brought to the surface by the movement of the ship and one can always get stunning views as they glide back and forth in the wake occasionally dropping down to feed. Also known as the pintado petrel, they have a beautiful chequered feather pattern on their upperparts as depicted here.
£1.15p – South Georgia diving petrels Pelecanoides georgicus are small birds and are always difficult to observe well at sea. With perseverance however, positioned on the bow of a ship one may eventually get some reasonable fleeting glimpses. They fly very fast and will suddenly disappear into a wave never to be seen again. Discriminating between common and South Georgia diving petrels is difficult as the individual features are very subtle. The pale braces on the back of the bird are a good feature to look for. While I was working on cruise ships I would patrol the decks at night looking for seabirds attracted to the ships lights. Birds that were found were put in a safe box and released in the morning. Diving petrels would always be present and I was amazed how incredibly strong these little bird were; very gentle all the same.
Three of the original paintings making up this set of stamps will be on display at the ‘Artists for Albatrosses’ exhibition, at the Air Gallery, Dover Street, London, 5-15th October 2011. The exhibition is raising funds and awareness for albatross and petrel conservation.
Technical Details
Artist: John Gale
Printer: BDT International
Process: Stochastic lithography
Perforation: 14 per 2cms
Stamp size: 27.94 x 44.45mm
Sheet Layout: 50 (2 x 25)
Release date: 10 August 2011
Production Co-ordination: Creative Direction (Worldwide) Ltd

INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF FORESTS

Did you know that more than 1.6 billion of the world’s people depend on forests for their livelihood? Or that worldwide, the forest industry is responsible for $270 billion in trade, annually? In Canada, forests are among the largest and most diverse in the world—and have long been central to their economy.
Canadian forests cover 41% of the country’s land mass, which amount to roughly 10% of the world’s forest. In addition to moderating climate and filtering the air we breathe, they also provide a home for countless wildlife species.
Given the importance of forests to their economy, their environment and their well-being, the essential role they play in countries around the world and the way in which issues surrounding the future of the forest unite us globally, it comes as no surprise that the United Nations has declared 2011 as International Year of Forests. This global initiative, launched in February during the 9th session of the United Nation’s forum on forests, seeks to “raise awareness and strengthen the sustainable forest management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests for the benefit of current and future generations.”
In honour of the U.N.’s International Year of Forests, Canada Post has released a two-stamp issue that speaks to both the diversity and intrinsic value of Canada’s forests. Designed by Vancouver’s Subplot Design, the stamps offer two views of the contemporary forest; one showing the marvel of life found in the forest floor and the other depicting the sheer strength and lush fecundity of a new growth North American rainforest through a close-up of new trees that culminates in a fresh canopy of green leaves.
Matthew Clarke, creative director and senior designer at Subplot explains, “One of the challenges with a topic this broad is to bring it down to a single image that is sufficiently complex to encompass the topic, and yet simple enough to be iconic and compelling. IYF isn’t just about ‘trees,’ it’s about complex ecosystems of flora and fauna that make up what we know as a ‘forest’.”
Clarke continues, “We created a vertical panorama that could visually depict the layers of the forest. While a traditional forest landscape would be a horizontal image, we chose to create a view that pans down from the sky, down the canopy, down a central tree and onto the forest floor. This gave us not only an opportunity to show these vertical layers, but then to create two distinct images once the stamps are separated from the souvenir sheet.”
According to Danielle Trottier, Stamp Design Manager for the issue, “Forests in Canada was such an all-encompassing topic that there was a risk of over-utilizing the factual information and environmental warnings to the point that we literally could no longer see the forests for the trees. This design provided not only an intellectual reminder of the importance, economically, culturally and environmentally, of the forest riches they are privileged to have, but is also a moving and dramatic vision of the natural wonder of the Canadian forest.”
Stamp Specifications
Product #: 413796111
Layout: Booklet of 8 stamps
Price: $4.72
Denomination: 2 x PERMANENT™ domestic rate
Design/Illustration: Subplot Design Inc.
Dimensions: 30 mm x 40 mm (vertical)
Gum Type: Pressure sensitive
Illustration: S. Gibson / M. Clark
Paper Type: Tullis Russell
Perforations: Simulated perforation
Photography: Anthony Redpath
Printer: Lowe-Martin
Printing Process: Lithography in 8 colours
Tagging: Lithography in 8 colours
Quantity: 2,700,000
Source: Canada Post
published June 25th, 2011

Happy to received this stamps for exchange....

IRELAND'S NATIONAL PARKS STAMP ISSUE

An Post celebrates six of the best today with the launch of a stamp series themed around Ireland’s National Parks.

The stamps, designed by Steve Simpson, feature Connemara, The Burren, Glenveigh, Killarney, Wicklow and Ballycroy (Mayo) National Parks and are based on photographs by well known international photographer Walter Pfeiffer.

Also issued to accompany the stamp set are three first day covers, two sets of mini sheets and a prestige booklet featuring the stamps and a wealth of background information about Ireland’s National Parks. Each of these beautiful items is available from www.irishstamps.ie also from main post offices and from the Irish Stamps Shop in Dublin’s GPO (Tel: 01-7057400).

The entire set celebrates Ireland’s top national parks, unrivalled in their beauty and home to a range of wonderful wildlife and flora. The Burren, Connemara and Ballycroy feature on 55c stamps with Glenveigh, Killarney and Wicklow each shown on 82c stamps.

Glenveagh National Park in Co. Donegal was opened to the public in 1984 and continues to attract visitors from all over the world. The park is home to a successful re-introduction programme for the once extinct golden eagle.

Ballycroy National Park in Mayo, established in 1998, is a vast, unspoilt wilderness dominated by the Nephin Beg mountains. The park also includes the Owenduff bog, one of the last intact blanket bog systems in Western Europe. Opened in 1980, Connemara National Park in Galway includes the Twelve Pins mountain range.

The Burren National Park in Co. Clare is internationally famous and features a unique diversity of plants in 1,500 hectares of rocky landscape. Killarney National Park in the heart of County Kerry is home to Muckross House, glorious oak woods and red deer. Wicklow Mountains National Park includes Glendalough, the ancient monastic settlement of St. Kevin.

WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS ISSUE. IF ANYONE INTERESTED TO EXCHANGE THIS PLEASE LET ME KNOW.