SRI LANKA ~ Monkeys - Relaxing Time ~

... A bunch of playful monkeys... troops of monkeys are a common sight on the island and from the days of the Monkey King Hanuman who is believed to have come from India to Sri Lanka in search of Sita in the popular epic Ramayana, these animals have been a part of its people for generations blending in with their culture and history... with as always an interesting selection of stamps... Thanks a lot Ravindra!✿◕ ‿ ◕✿

© Lasantha Lakmal Sri Lanka has the greatest diversity of primates in South Asia. The island takes up only 1,5 % of the land area of South Asia countries where primates live. Still the island is home to 30% of all primates in South Asia with 13 or 14 subspecies.

The langurs are believed to be the descendants of the fire-wielding monkey god Hanuman, and are often treated as sacred beings. Hanuman langurs can be found across the Indian subcontinent, in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Stamps:

Moonstones, Guardstones & Balustrades
(Issued 12-12-2012)

World Kidney Day
Issued 08-03-2018)

National Independence Day
(Issued 04-02-2018)

Sustainable Energy for All
(Issued 20-03-2012)

INDIA ~ The Clipper Butterfly - Hikkim ~

... First of two really fantastic postcards... beautiful butterfly view... a large wingspan of around 10cm makes them strong fliers and gliders... they are mostly blue-green in color in the sub-continent of India... with great selection of stamps postmarked at the highest post office "Hikkim" in the world... Thanks a lot Dwai!!【ツ】

Photo: Praveen G Nair
The Clipper (Parthenos sylvia) is a species of nymphalid butterfly found in South and South-East Asia, mostly in forested areas. It is a fast flying butterfly and has a habit of flying with its wings flapping stiffly between the horizontal position and a few degrees below the horizontal. It may glide between spurts of flapping.

The Clipper butterfly mostly feeds on the nectar of the flowers of Adenia plant and the caterpillars feed on the young leaves of the plant.

Stamps:

1&3 Nature - Drawing Competition
(Issued 25-01-2017)

250th Year of Survey of India
(Issued 22-06-2017)

Central African Republic ~ Leopard with cub ~

... Fantastic new African country to add to my collection... situated deep in the heart of the African continent... it is one of the countries that offers the most diversity in wildlife and the wide expanse of natural resources... unfortunately after years of civil unrest CAR is a very poor country☹... most of the people are farmers, growing what they need to survive... the leopard populations are threatened  by losing critical habitat to deforestation and conversion for agriculture..... they are hunted illegally, and their body parts are smuggled in the wildlife trade for medicinal practises and decoration....Thanks a lot Matt!! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The Central African Republic (CAR)is a landlocked nation bordered by Cameroon, Chad, the Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Republic of Congo. The  capital city, Bangui is located in the southwestern part of the country.

The area that is now the Central African Republic has been settled for at least 8.000 years.

The country is mostly grassy savanna's, but also contains dense rainforests. More forest elephants and lowland gorillas live here than almost any other place in Africa.

 CAR gained its independence from France in 1960. Since then, the government has been in chaos.




Stamp:

Serie General Bozizé
(Issued 2004 )

CZECH REPUBLIC ~ The National Stud Farm in Kladruby nad Labem ~

... Amazing horse picture from one of the oldest horse breeds "the Old Kladruber" in the world... and also one of the oldest studs... I took part in a project of 9-10 years old kids who have been studying English just 7 months at school... they are learning how to describe animals... this one came from Radim♥  and I must say he did it very well... great handwriting and so lovely decorated... Big Thanks Radim!!¯\_(ツ)_/¯¯\_(ツ)_/¯

It covers an area of over 3,000 acres north of the river Elbe about 80 km east of Prague. The tradition of horse breeding in Kladruby nad Labem stretches back to at least the mid 14th century. For over 300 years (1579–1918) it was an imperial court stud providing horses for the royal and imperial court in Prague and Vienna.

Nowadays the National Stud keeps around 500 horses. 250 grey Old Kladrubers are bred in the historic site of Kladruby nad Labem and 250 black Old Kladrubers are bred in Slatiňany, a former stud of the princely family of Auersperg, located about 40 kilometres (25 miles) east of Kladruby nad Labem.

Kladrubers have always been bred to be a galakarossier - a heavy type of carriage horse for the court of the House of Habsburg.

Stamp:

The Crown Jewels
(Issued 20-01-2017)

SRI LANKA ~ Crested Hawk Eagle - Bundala National Park - UNESCO ~

... First of a whole "bunch"ツ great postcards received from friend Ravindra... it will take a while to post them all... National Park nr13 from this paradise island full of stunning national parks crawling with animals... Bundala National Park is one of Sri Lanka’s foremost destinations for birdwatchers...  the Crested Hawk Eagle are known to sit on perches high up in the trees and scanning the forest floor for potential prey. ... Thanks a lot Ravindra  (✿ ♥‿♥)

Photo: Venura Ubayathilaka
The Crested Hawk-Eagle is a common raptor found throughout the dry lowlands. This bird is a medium-large raptor at about 60–72 cm in length.

Bundala NP  is situated in the southeast part of the country and spread an area of 6,216 hectares. It consists mainly of dry thorny scrublands, marshes and four brackish lagoons. The park is an internationally important wintering ground for migratory water birds.  Nearly 200 species of birds have been recorded within the park, out of which 58 species are migratory birds. Bundala was designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1969 and redesignated to a NP on 4 January 1993.

In 2005 the national park was designated as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, the fourth biosphere reserve in Sri Lanka.

Stamps:
The 100th Anniversary of Sri Lanka Girl Guides
(Issued 21-03-2017)

2017 Montague Jayewickreme 20. March
(Issued 20-03-2017)

KENYA ~ Leopard with cubs - Maasai Mara National Park ~

......Wonderful view of mother and "cute" cubs... this African country is synonymous with safaris and magnificent wildlife... found in regions all across Kenya, the leopard is the smallest of the big cats... they are still one of the major predators of the savannah grasslands... good swimmers, excellent climbers and hunt the widest variety of prey of any of the Mara's major predators.....and with  the highest concentration of predators anywhere in Africa it's no surprise that you can see many big cats there... Thanks a lot Douglas!!【ツ】

Maasai Mara is situated in south-west Kenya and is one of Africa’s Greatest Wildlife Reserves covering an area of 1.510 square km.

Together with the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania it forms Africa’s most diverse, incredible and most spectacular eco-systems and possibly the world’s top safari big game viewing eco-system.

Leopard cubs are born with barely visible spots. The mother hides her cubs and moves them from one safe location to the next until they are old enough to begin playing and learning to hunt. When the cubs are about two years old, they live on their own. But the maternal bonds are strong, and offspring sometimes have reunions with their mothers.

Leopards are solitary creatures. Males are almost entirely solitary and females only break their solitude when they are raising cubs.

Stamp:

Crops
(Issued 28-02-2001)

TANZANIA ~ Crocodile - Grumeti River - Serengeti National Park - UNESCO~

...Fantastic African National Park postcard... the best-known wildlife sanctuary in the world ...  the Great African Nile crocodiles are some of the most dangerous and the most powerful crocodiles in the world and  probably the most feared predator in Africa...
...This will be my third year in a row that I donated money to a charity called 'Hearts in Unity' (to buy school supplies) and then receiving a postcard written by a Tanzanian child as a thank you.... I couldn't resist this offer, and the money went to a good cause ♥...Thanks a lot Jenifa Festo a 14 year old girl going to the Seela Primary School...✿◕ ‿ ◕✿

Photo: © Javed Jafferji
The Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and the Maasai Mara Game Reserve across the border in Kenya, protect the greatest and most varied collection of terrestrial wildlife on earth, and one of the last great migratory systems still intact. It altogether make up some 14% of the country's land area.

This National Park was established in 1951 and is the  oldest national park in Tanzania. The name 'Serengeti' comes from the Maasai language and  means“endless plains”

The African crocodile lives in the Western Corridor of the Serengeti,  the black clay soil covers the swampy savannah of this region. The Grumeti River is home to Nile crocodiles, colobus monkeys, hippopotamus, and martial eagles. The migration passes through from May to July. Although the diet of the Nile Crocodile is normally made up of fish, in some areas such as the Serengeti, large mammals are frequently taken.

Stamps:

Wild Animals of Africa
(Issued 28-10-2010)

FALKLAND ISLANDS ~ Penguins ~

 ...Fantastic and my first postcard coming from the Falkland Islands...I always imagine penguins to be polar creatures, on ice and snow and not on sandy beaches o͜͡o ...it is said that most of the pictures of penguins you will see were photographed in the Falklands... a wildlife lovers paradise... and with great "tiny" matching penguin stamp... Thanks a million Som!! \_(♥‿♥)_/

The Falklands are a compact group of 740 islands (also known as Malvinas in Argentina) and located in the South Atlantic Ocean, just 300 miles off the coast of East Patagonia in the southernmost part of Argentina. The region consists of 2 main islands, West Falkland and East Falkland, and over 700 other smaller islands. Many of the smaller islands are nature reserves.

They are an independent overseas territory of the UK since 1833, a status the Argentines have fought and still contest.

The Falklands are one of the world’s great penguin capitals: as many as a million penguins nest in the Falklands every summer. There are five penguin species breeding on the islands, Gentoo penguins, Macaroni penguins, King penguins, Rockhopper penguins and  Magellanic penguins. For the Gentoo, the Falklands are home to the largest population on Earth.

Stamp:

Penguins
(Issued 21-11-2013)

SLOVAKIA ~ High Tatras National Park ~

...My first National Park postcard of Slovakia and the oldest one in the country... only 8 more to go ◔͜͡◔...with lovely views of the chamois... symbol of both the Slovak and Polish Tatra National Park... and under strict protection... Thanks a lot Vladimir! ㋡

Photo © Ladislav Janiga
Tatra(s) National Park is situated in North Central Slovakia in the Tatra Mountains on the border with Poland. The park is important for protecting a diverse variety of flora and fauna, with many endemic species, including the Tatra chamois.

This National Park  protected area was founded in 1949. High Tatras Mountains are one of the smallest mountain ranges in the world, nevertheless, they are the highest and the only mountain range of alpine system in Slovakia.

The chamois is one of the most precious species, as it developed in isolation since the glacial age. This is the reason why it differs from its relatives living in the Alps or Apennines. Its protection is extremely strict because only ± 1300 animals survive at present.

Stamp:

The 450th Anniversary of the Birth of Jan Jessenius, 1566–1621 - Joint Issue with Czech Republic, Hungary & Poland
(Issued 22-06-2016)

COSTA RICA ~ Pura Vida ~

...Sweet frog postcard...Costa Rica seems to be the happiest and greenest nation on earth and with there slogan "Pura Vida", Spanish for “pure or simple life” what means living your life to the fullest, no worries, no regrets, enjoying all the little things in life that make life great... I for sure believe it 【ツ】... and more wonderful news... last year Costa Rica became the first nation in the world to source 100% of its electricity from renewable energy - for 75 days straight...Well done❗❗ ... also with great stamps and postmark...
Thanks a lot Randall Elizondo!! (✿ ♥‿♥)

Photo: Rodolfo Castillo
Costa Rica  literally meaning "Rich Coast"  is a country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua, Panama, the Pacific Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and Ecuador. The capital and largest city is San José.

Glass frogs are generally small, ranging from 3 to 7.5 centimeters (1.2 to 3.0 in) in length, semi-translucent, and has a leaf-green color. They are similar to tree frogs, except that the eyes of this frog are oriented forward, whereas the eyes of a tree frog oriented to the sides.

They live along rivers and streams during the breeding season, and are particularly diverse in montane cloud forests of Central and South America, 13 species can be found here in different types of tropical forest.

Stamps:

The 80th Anniversary of the Ministry of Labour & Social Security
(26-08-2008)

BELGIUM ~ The New Zwin - Greylag Goose ~

...Wonderful goose postcard...Belgium issued a few new stamps in June...and thanks to Johan I got two of them with special first day cancellations on a  matching postcard... Thanks a lot Johan !【ツ】

Photo: © Christophe Potigny
The Zwin Nature Park is a beautiful nature reserve at the Belgian coast, an ‘international bird airport’, but also a dream for plant lovers. On the 10th of June the new visitor centre as well as in the nature park opened its doors to the general public. It is a unique and varied top attraction where you experience nature to the full.


The greylag goose (Anser anser) is one of the species which can almost always be observed in the area.

The greylag goose  is a bird in the waterfowl family Anatidae. It has mottled and barred grey and white plumage and an orange beak and legs. A large bird, it measures between 74 and 91 cm(29 and 36 in) in length, with an average weight of 3.3 kg (7.3 lb). It is the type species of the genus Anser and is the ancestor of the domestic goose, having been domesticated at least as early as 1360 BC.

Stamp:

The New Zwin
(Issued 16-06-2016) with First Day Special Postmark

SRI LANKA ~ Chundikulam National Park ~

...Wonderful card nr2 from the series celebrating the World Wetlands Day 2016 showing a flock of pink flamingos against the most beautiful sky......with great matching stamp.. this National Park  is a famous haven for migrant birds... Thank sooo much Ravindra for a great new postcard for my National Parks collection!! ツ

Chundikkulam National Park is situated in northern Sri Lanka, Chundikkulam Lagoon and its surrounding area was designated as a bird sanctuary on 25 February 1938 and  became a national park on 22 June 2015 with an area of 19,565 ha.

The greater flamingo  is the most widespread species of the flamingo family. It is found in Africa, Indian subcontinent, the Middle East and southern Europe.This is the largest species of flamingo.


Stamps:
World Wetlands Day 2016
(Issued 02-02-2016)

Sirimavo Bandaranaike - Birth Centenary
(Issued 07-04-2016)

SRI LANKA ~ Adam’s Bridge Marine National Park

...Fantastic new national Park for my collection...according to Ravindra is this the first of a series of 4 cards celebrating  the World Wetlands Day 2016...with great matching stamp...Thanks a lot for once more making my mailbox and me happy!! ♥‿♥

Adam's Bridge Marine National Park  is a national park surrounding Adam's Bridge (Rama's Bridge) in northern Sri Lanka. It became a national park on 22 June 2015 with an area of 18,990 ha.

Many migratory birds follow the Pamban Island-Adam's Bridge-Mannar Island route when flying to/from Sri Lanka.The sand dunes of Adam's Bridge are also used as breeding grounds by birds. Numerous varieties of fish and sea grasses thrive in the shallow waters Adam's Bridge. Sea life found around Adam's Bridge include dolphin, dugong and turtle.

The Caspian Tern is the largest tern in the world. Its large coral red bill makes it one of the most easily identified terns throughout its worldwide range.

Stamp:

World Wetlands Day
(Issued 02-02-2016)

SRI LANKA ~Yala National Park - Leopards ~

...Beautiful animal in its natural habitat...this park is one of the most famous places in the world to spot leopards in the wild... a safari  here must be awesome (although I read that is is a bit overcrowded due to is popularity)... but would love to go anyway(◕‿-)... with great matching leopard stamp....
✺Ayubowan  Ravindra and thanks a lot!!✺

Photo: Chitral Jayatilake
Photo is from a book : "Â Moments of Truth in the Wilderness" and  is an exciting journey through the dry zone forests of Sri Lanka.

Yala National Park is one of the largest national parks in the country located on Sri lanka's South Eastern Coast where you are surrounded by plains, forests, lagoons, coastline, a diverse range of animals and an abundance of bird life.

 With over 35 leopards, Yala West has one of the world’s densest leopard populations.

Stamp:

Kumana National Park, leopard
(Issued 26-01-2016)

CANADA ~Hello from Ontario's Wildlife ~

...a great variety of wildlife...must be a fantastic place for animal and nature lovers... big Thanks Andron for this lovely surprise in my mailbox!(✿◠‿◠)

Photos: ©Travelpic Ontario is one of the ten provinces of Canada. It  is bordered by the province of Manitoba to the west, Hudson Bay and James Bay to the north, Quebec to the east, and to the south by the US states.  It is home to the nation's capital city, Ottawa, and the most populous city, Toronto.

Ontario's varied climate and geography support habitat for more than 3,600 species of plants, 154 species of fish, 50 species of amphibians and reptiles, 483 species of birds, and more than 81 species of mammals.

Stamps:

Canadian Photography
(Issued 13-04-2016)

MALAYSIA ~Silver Leaf Langur - Borneo ~

...More cute mother and baby monkey theme today ღ... unfortunately as so many animals also listed as Endangered due to disappearance of suitable lowland habitat (especially for oil palm plantations) and forest fires....with great matching Year of the Monkey stamp and special cancellation...Thanks a lot Erica!!

The  silvered leaf monkey or the silvery langur, is an Old World monkey. It is arboreal, living in coastal, mangrove, and riverine forests in Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo.

Langur monkeys are also known as the ‘leaf monkeys’ in light of the fact that they feed mainly on leaves. They are also known for eating fruits, grass, and flowers.

 Langurs, which have black fur with silvered tips as adults, are born with bright orange fur.





Photo: S C Chee
published by The Farmers' Brand Sdn. Bhd.

Stamp:

The Year of the Monkey -  ‘Primates of Malaysia Series 2’
( Issued 22-01-2016)

INDONESIA ~ Oerangutan Mother and Baby ~

...A wonderful orangutans postcard...Although we share 97% of our DNA with these gentle creatures they are close to extinction due to the systematic destruction of the rainforest, primarily for palm oil production... with beautiful matching stamps featuring Chinese Zodiac Sign – The Monkey...Thank you very much Shinta♥

From backside card:
Orangutans are among the most intelligent primates, they use a variety of sophisticated tools and construct elaborate sleeping nests each night from branches and foliage. Native to Indonesia and Malaysia, orangutans are currently found in only the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra.

Babies stay with their mother until they are about 8 or 9 years old and have a long childhood compared to other apes.

Stamps:

2016 Chinese Lunar New Year
Year of the Monkey
(Issued 24-01-2016)

SRI LANKA ~Blue Magpie - Sinharaja Rain Forest - UNESCO~

...One of Sri Lanka most beautiful birds...for bird watching the island is the best country in the world... a birds paradise... Thanks once again Ravindra!!

Photo: Venura Ubayathilaka
The Sri Lanka blue magpie or Ceylon magpie is a member of the crow family living in the hill forests of Sri Lanka, where it is endemic.

It is declining due to loss of this habitat. Sri Lanka Blue Magpie is usually found in small groups of up to six or seven birds. It is largely carnivorous, eating small frogs, lizards, insects and other invertebrates, but will eat fruit. Their nest, usually situated on a tree or shrub, is made of sticks and is somewhat similar to the crow’s nest.

The Sinharaja Rainforest has been part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1978 and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988.

Stamps:

Moonstone
(Issued 12-12-2012)

Visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to Sri Lanka
(Issued 13-01-2015)

Solar System - Earth
(Issued 05-12-2014)

DR Congo ~Garamba National Park - UNESCO ~

...No better way to start the week than with this little gem ♥...new country! new national park! new UNESCO site!...just an amazing view... but so sad to read on the Internet that civil war, unrest and the prevalence of highly militarised terrorist groups within the park have placed it under immense pressure, with rampant ivory and bushmeat poaching having a devastating impact on wildlife population...
Thanks a million Maick!!☺ (A Journey of Postcards )

Garamba National Park, located in the north-eastern corner of the DR of Congo was established in 1938. One of Africa's oldest National parks, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. Garamba is (or at least was) the home to the world's last known wild population of Northern White Rhinoceros. Due to poaching of the rhinos within the park, it was added to the list of World Heritage in Danger in 1996.

From backside postcard:
The park's immense Savannah's, grasslands and woodlands interspersed with gallery forests along the river banks and the swampy depressions, are home to four large mammals: the elephant, giraffe, hippopotamus and above all the white rhinoceros. Though much larger than the black rhino, it is harmless; only some 30 individuals remain...

Stamp:

Joseph Kabila
(Issued 25-10-2002)

ITALY ~Nature Park Alta Valle Pesio and Tanaro - Chamois ~

... Great new addition for my Nature Parks collection...Thanks a lot Gian Luca!!

Established in 1978, the Alta Valle Pesio and Tanaro Nature Park was one of the first protected areas in Piedmonte  and occupies an area of ​​6,770 hectares. The park is formed by the two valleys of the Upper Pesio and Tanaro, which originate from opposite sides of the highest peak of the Ligurian Alps, Mount Marguareis (2,651 m.)
.
The Pesio valley is lush and green, covered by a dense forest that goes all the way up to the feet of the Marguareisn,  the Tanaro valley side of the park, on the other hand, is very dry.
The park supports a very rich and varied fauna, that includes a large presence of ungulates (chamois, deer, roe deer, wild boars).

The chamois is a goat-antelope species native to mountains in Europe, including the Carpathian Mountains of Romania, the Pyrenees, the European Alps, the Tatra Mountains, the Balkans, parts of Turkey, and the Caucasus. Some subspecies of chamois are strictly protected in the EU under the European Habitats Directive.

Stamps:

Posta Italiana
(Issued 10-08-2013)

Posta Italiana:
(Issued 01-07-2010)