Crested Iguana of Fiji

Fiji Post Limited is proud to commemorate the magnificent creature, Brachylophus vitiensis and to bring attention to its protection and ongoing survival. By collaborating  with the WWF organization, Fiji Post Limited issued a set of four stamps feature Brachylophus vitiensis in their habitat on October 2010.

The issue stamps presented in many forms, single stamps, miniature sheet which composed of two set stamps, and local First Day Cover .

The Fiji crested iguana (Brachylophus vitiensis) is a critically endangered species of iguana native to some of the northwestern islands of the Fijiian archipelago, where it is found in dry forest. They are only found in Fiji on the dry leeward islands off Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. They have been found in the Mamanucas, Yasawas, Mali and Macuata Islands.

The Fiji crested iguana is a large stocky lizard distinguished from the Fiji banded iguana by the presence of three narrow, cream to white colored bands on males, rather than the broader bluish bands of the latter species. These whitish bands often have chevrons of black scales close to them.

Mammals of Latvia - 2007

In yearly Latvia Post released the stamp series feature the wild mammals which found in their country. On November 16, 2007, a set of two stamps was issued and the wild mammals depicted on stamps are Red fox or vulpes vulpes and Alces alces   or Moose.

Vulpes vulpes  or Red Fox

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is the largest of the true foxes and live around the world in many diverse habitats including forests, grasslands, mountains, and deserts. They also adapt well to human environments such as farms, suburban areas, and even large communities. The red fox's resourcefulness has earned it a legendary reputation for intelligence and cunning.

Red foxes has a long history of association with humans, having been extensively hunted as a pest and furbearer for centuries, as well as being prominently represented in human folklore and mythology. 

Because of its widespread distribution and large population, the red fox is one of the most important furbearing animals harvested for the fur trade. Because of these factors, it is listed as Least Concern for extinction by the IUCN. It is included among the IUCN's list of the "world's 100 worst invasive species".

Red foxes are solitary hunters who feed on rodents, rabbits, birds, and other small game birds—but their diet can be as flexible as their home habitat. On occasionally, Red foxes will eat fruit and vegetables, fish, frogs, and even worms.  The average life span ranges 2 to 4 years.

The Giant Sea Fan of Niue

 
 

To pay  tribute to the giant sea fan (Annella mollis),  Niue  Post  pleased to issue the special stamp series that   feature  a coral found throughout Niue’s picturesque coral reefs. It has been released as part of the WWF Conservation Stamp Collection on September 5, 2012.

 

Each of the four gummed stamps in this issue features the official WWF logo and they are presented together on the miniature sheet. The background of the miniature sheet gives a close-up view of a giant sea fan, and is a beautiful addition to the stamp collection.

 
 

The giant sea fan is a soft coral (Octocorallia) and belongs to the class of flower animals (Anthozoa). Its fans measure up to two metres. In this case, the ramifications are braided together and adopt the appearance of a network, whose peaks are barely distinct.Colonies are colored red to shades of pale yellow, but when the polyps are open, it seems tinged with orange-red. The ramifications are issued in a single plane.

Paeonia officinalis – Common Peony

 

To dedicated the Europe Nature Protection,  Serbia Post has issued one miniature sheet consist of two stamps feature the Paeonia officinalis on February 10, 2010. Paeonia officinalis, or European peony, Common peony, is the common peony cultivated in Europe for five hundred years.

Fruits of Fiji

Fiji Post Limited proudly to issue a set of five stamps feature the Fiji’s edible fruits on December 02, 2010.  

The issue stamps are depicting fruit species, Moli kana or Citrus maxima (20c) , Vutu kana or Barringtonia edulis (40c), Dawa or Pometia pinnata (65c), Fei ( banana) or Musa troglodytarium ($1.20), Kavika or Syzgium malaccense ($10).


There are more then 18 native tree species with edible fruits in Fiji. The majority of these species are thought to be of aboriginal introduction, brought in by early indigenous settlers to Fiji.

Moli kana or Citrus maxima   flowers and fruits throughout the year. The scraped root is used as an internal remedy for hemorrhoids in the island of Taveuni. The fruit is eaten as a dessert fruit and also used for marmalade. This native tree can grow up to 12 m tall bearing edible fruits 10-30 cm wide. The fruit is very thick peel and pale yellow or pink pulp.

Flowers of the Bahamas Garden

Bahamas Postal Administration issued a set of four stamps feature the flower of Bahamas Garden on May 25, 2004. The flower species shown on stamps are Cattleya, Hibiscus, Canna, and Thunbergia.

Cattleyas are widely known for their large, showy flowers, and were used extensively in hybridization for the cut-flower trade  when pot plants became more popular.The flowers of the hybrids can vary in size from 5 cm to 15 cm or more. Cattleya is a genus of 113 species of orchids from Costa Rica to tropical South America. Cattleya presents in all colors except true blue and black.

The typical charateristic of  this  flower has three rather narrow sepals and three usually broader petals: two petals are similar to each other, and the third is the quite different conspicuous lip. Cattleyas have been hybridized both within the genus and with related genera for more than a century.

2012 Children's Health: New Zealand Sea Lion

 
 

New Zealand Post is proud to continue to support Te Puna Whaiora as  The New Zealand Foundation for Child and Family Health and Development with its annual Children’s Health stamp issue.

Therefore New Zealand Post issued the 2012 Children’s Health stamp issue features the New Zealand sea lion on the first of August 2012. The mother of sea lion (as shown in above miniature sheet) is shown sniffing her pup for recognition before taking her for feeding. Just like children, pups are dependent on their mothers for protection, and this unique product portrays the close relationship they share.

 

The 70c gummed stamp presents a New Zealand sea lion pup in the Sub-Antarctic Islands.

Sea lions live all over the world whether in the wild, in marine parks, and sometimes even in cities. However, the New Zealand sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri) or whakahao lives only in New Zealand and is sadly listed as nationally critical.

It is monotypic of its genus.The primary habitat of New Zealand Sea Lions is several sub-Antarctic islands south of New Zealand and their surrounding waters. The breeding pattern of sea lions is very similar to that of fur seals, with males arriving in November to set up territories. Females give birth to single pups every one or two years, and pups are born in December and January each year. 

Endemic Palm of Fiji – Balaka Palm

Balaka is a genus of about seven species in the palm family, Arecaceae or Palmae. Five species are native to the islands of Fiji and two to Samoa. Endemic to Fiji. They are widely distributed throughout rainforest areas in Vanua Levu and Taveuni Islands with high rainfall from 140 meters and more in elevation.

Post Fiji Limited  broadcast this plant by issuing one miniature sheet consist of two stamps, features Balaka Palm , Balaka seemannii on April 29, 2002.

Fiji Goshawk

Post Fiji Limited  proudly to release a set of four stamps feature the endemic bird of prey on  September  10, 2002.  The issued stamps depict the Fiji Goshawk as endemic bird to Fiji, presenting the chicks to the adult bird. These are beautiful bird stamps.

 

The Fiji Goshawk (Accipiter rufitorques) is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family. It is endemic to Fiji, where it occurs on the larger islands of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Kadavu, Gau and Ovalau.

Their habitat is  a range of wooded habitats in Fiji, from natural rainforest to coconut plantations and urban gardens and parks.