Black Swan on new stamp from New Zealand

 

Date of Issue : 2 February 2015

New Zealand Post launched a special stamp to mark World Wetlands Day. This year, the stamp features the black swan. The issue was released on the 2nd of February.

The black swan (Cygnus atratus), also known as the kakīānau, is one of the most common waterfowl found in New Zealand, with a population of approximately 50,000 across the country. Mainly found on lakes, estuaries, harbours and freshwater ponds, black swans are a legal game bird in most parts of New Zealand.

The black swan is covered in jet black feathers, with striking white feathers visible beneath the wings of adult swans The black swan has a bright red bill with a white band, red eyes and light grey legs. There is little difference between the male and female birds, though the females tend to be smaller. Black swans are slow, yet graceful swimmers on the water and tend to be territorial on land.

The nesting season for black swans generally occurs in the winter months from around July, with colonial nesting beginning around September through to November. Black swans are mostly monogamous and pair for life, usually nesting in the same spot each year, tending and rebuilding their nest as necessary. A typical breeding season will yield between four and eight eggs, with an incubation period of around 40 days. Black swans defend their nests, aggressively attacking any intruder with their wings and beaks.

The Game Bird Habitat Stamp programme was set up to raise funds – from the sale of the game bird hunting licences, stamp collection and related products – for projects aimed at protecting and enhancing wetlands and game bird and other wildlife habitat.

My Recent Cover

Cover from Germany

 

 

to Mr Wolfgang Beyer of Germany for this nice cover with fish cancellation.

Cover from Chauri Chaura

Chauri Chaura is situated at State Highway between Gorakhpur and Deoria, 30.5 kilometres  from Gorakhpur. Chauri Chaura came into prominence in 1922 when its inhabitants whole-heartedly participated in the Non-co-operation movement started by Gandhi and was scene of famous Chauri Chaura incident, when, after the police had shot and killed several demonstrators, a police chowki (station) was set on fire by a mob of angry citizens, killing 22 policemen inside. The incident took place on 4th Feb 1922.

  to Mr Ashwani Dubey, Gorakhpur for cover from Chauri Chaura posted on 4th Feb 2015.

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New stamps from Germany

 

Christmas 2014

Date of Issue : 3 November 2014

1. Star of Bethlehem - stamp from  sheetlet with perforation  2. Star of Bethlehem -stamp  from booklet : imperf.

German Post issued new stamps on 3rd November 2014 featuring Star of Bethlehem and a beautiful Snowman stamp for winter festive season.These stamps are available in perforate and imperforate self sticking forms.

 

Winter Holiday stamps 

3. Snowman – stamp from sheetlet with perforation  4. Snowman – stamp  from booklet : Imperf.

Courtesy -  Shrikant Parikh , Ahmedabad

Sea Trout

Date of Issue : 4 December 2014

Here is another new postage issued by German Post under the name “Sea Trout”. The stamp contains image of sea trout – one of the most popular fish species in Europe. The issue was released on the 4^th of December.

The sea trout, also widely known as ‘white trout’ or ‘Breac Geal’ in Gaelic, can be found in rivers, loughs and estuaries throughout Ireland. Sea trout are, in fact, brown trout that have developed a taste for going to sea because of the increased availability of food. Adult sea trout are hard fighting sporting fish which can be caught by all methods in rivers and in loughs, but give particularly exciting sport to the fly fisher.

They range in size from small fish of three quarters of a pound known locally as ‘finnock’, to specimens weighing six pounds and over. They are popular with anglers because of their strong fighting qualities and the fact that they fight tenaciously all the way to the landing net. In most fisheries the first sea trout of the season are the larger individual fish which arrive in April. As the season progresses they are followed by shoals of smaller fish.

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fishermen boats on stamps

 

 

 

Date of Issue - 19 November 2014

Aruba Post has released a set of stamps depicting fishermen boats. A fishing boat is used to catch fish in the sea, or on a lake or river. Many different kinds of vessels are used in commercial, artisanal and recreational fishing. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) at the end of 2004, the world fishing fleet consisted of about 4 million vessels, of which 2.7 million were undecked (open) boats. While nearly all decked vessels were mechanized, only one-third of the undecked fishing boats were powered, usually with outboard engines. The remaining 1.8 million boats were traditional craft of various types, operated by sail and oars.

Prior to the 1950s there was little standardization of fishing boats. Designs could vary between ports and boatyards. Traditionally boats were built of wood, but wood is not often used now because it has higher maintenance costs and lower durability. Fiberglass is used increasingly in smaller fishing vessels up to 25 meters, while steel is usually used on vessels over 25 meters.

Recreational fishermen usually fish either from a boat or from a shoreline or river bank. When fishing from a boat, pretty much any fishing technique can be used, from nets to fish traps, but some form of angling is by far the most common. Compared to fishing from land, fishing from a boat allows more access to different fishing grounds and different species of fish.

My Recent Covers

150 Years Eden Gardens

Courtesy – Shri Dipok Dey, Kolkata

Courtesy – Wolfgang Beyer , Germany

Club News

Philatelic Exhibition on AIDS

 

One day Philately Exhibition on AIDS was held at L.N.M.Railway Hospital,Gorakhpur by Sandeep Chaurasia
Dr.R.K.Sharma.Medical director,L.N.M.Railway Hospital, Sri.B.P.Yadaw,Pharmacy Officer,and Sri.Sunil Singh,Accounts Officer and patient  observed  the Exhibition.

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New Stamps from Poland

 

 

Date of Issue : 10 October 2014

Polish Post issued a set of 8 stamps on the occasion of XXI Warsaw National Philatelic Exhibition 2014 featuring sea life with colorful fishes. The stamps have been issued in separate  magnificent sheets and the First Day Covers have been issued in 4 different designs. Thematic Collectors would love to have these items in their collection.

 

 

 

 

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