SRI LANKA ~Yala National Park- Grey Langur ~

...More wildlife to enjoy of Yala National Park...and WOW just noticed this is my 100th postcard coming from "the pearl of the Indian Ocean"...most of them sent by my dear postcard friend Ravindra!! Thanks a lot!!

Langurs are a genus of Old World monkeys once thought to be a single species. Seven distinct species are now recognised, which are widespread throughout south Asia.

Grey langurs, with their black hands and face, are also known as Hanuman langurs after the monkey-god, and so are considered sacred in the Hindu religion.

Yala National Park is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka and one of 14 national parks.





Photo © Rukshan Jayewardene

Stamp:
Solar System - Uranus
(Issued 05-12-2014)

AUSTRALIA ~ Christmas Island-Robber crabs ~

Fantastic postcard showing the largest crab on land from a unique and remote island full of natural wonders... Thanks a million David for another great surprise...Love the stamp cancellation too!!

Photo Jorena Chan-Wong
Christmas Island is a territory of Australia located in the Indian Ocean,  1.565 km to the Australian mainland. Its closest neighbor is Java, 360 km away. Over 65% of Christmas Island is National Park.

The coconut crab also known as the robber crab or palm thief. It is the largest land-living arthropod in the world, and is probably at the upper size limit for terrestrial animals with exoskeletons in recent Earth atmosphere, with a weight of up to 4.1 kg (9.0 lb). It can grow to up to 1 m (3 ft 3 in) in length from leg to leg.

The robber crab is the only species in the genus Birgus and also the crab to have best evolved to life away from the sea or freshwater.


Stamps:
Australia Post celebrates the Year of the Goat
(Issued 8-01 2015)

Although Christmas Island was placed under Australian control in 1958, the island remained postal and philatelic independent until 1993 when Australia Post became the island's postal operator.

The island issued its own postage stamps from 1958. Those issued by Australia Post since 1993 are also valid in Australia, as are Australian stamps in Christmas Island.

AUSTRALIA ~MACQUARIE ISLAND -King Penguins-UNESCO~

...Another little gem to add to my collection...a heaven for wildlife, penguins everywhere..the landscape is shaped by water and wind...great stamps and awesome cancellation...Thanks a million Rod  for this fantastic and unique surprise!!

Photo Barend Becker From the backside:
King Penguins are the second largest penguin in the world and the largest on Macquarie Island. The breeding cycle takes approximately 14 months to complete, a successful pair will breed twice every 3 years.

World heritage listed Macquarie Island Nature Reserve, located approx. 1500km south-east of Tasmania is proudly managed by the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service, with support from the Australian Antarctic Program.

Stamps:
Bicentenary of Macquarie Island
Macquarie Island Cabbage Flower -Southern Elephant Seal
(Issued 26-10-2010)

1911-1914 Australian Antarctic Expedition
Arrival and exploration 1912
(Issued 04-09-2012)

BRAZIL ~Praia do Forte ~

Great postcard showing one of the most amazing and fascinating sea creatures....tiny turtles on their journey to the sea...unfortunately nearly all species of sea turtle are classified as endangered :( Thanks a lot Silvia!

Photo Christian Fehr Praia do Forte is a beach and a coastal village in the Brazilian state of Bahia. Praia do Forte is also famous for its nature reserves and  home to a number of successful ecotourism projects in Brazil.

The Tamar Turtle Project - Praia do Forte is the headquarters of the national turtle preservation program. Every year the project helps to release thousands of baby turtles into the sea up and down the coast. The Tamar Centre invites guests to learn about the 1,100 kilometres of beach that are being preserved as turtle breeding grounds.

Stamps:
Christmas stamp
(Issued 05-11-2014)
The 250th Anniversary of the Presbyterian Church of Rio de Janeiro
(Issued 12-01-2012)
Professions - Self-Adhesive
(Issued 30-12-2005)

TANZANIA ~Serengeti National Park - Elephants - UNESCO

..fantastic  postcard showing one of the most impressive, majestic animals on earth...with great matching stamps of this "gentle giants"...  I saw on facebook a request  about donating some money to a charity called 'Hearts in Unity' 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 anyway ♥...Thanks a lot Exaud-Amani... a 13 years old boy and a student in class six.

Photo © Javed Jaffarji The Serengeti is Tanzania's oldest and most popular national park, also a world heritage site and recently proclaimed a 7th world wide wonder. It is a wilderness area in Africa with a unique ecosystem and  its name meaning “endless plains” in the Maasai indigenous language, Maa. The Serengeti is best known for being home to the largest terrestrial mammal migration in the world, which has been called one of the natural travel wonders of the world.

The African elephant is the largest mammal on earth. Elephants live in woodlands, forests, deserts and savanna, spread across 37 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Today, there are an estimated 450,000 - 700,000 African elephants.

With over 2000 elephants living in the Serengeti National Park, you are almost sure to see them while on safari.


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

SRI LANKA~ Male and female leopard cubs - Yala National Park~

One more fantastic postcard from Yala National Park showing leopards cubs... Thank you very much Ravindra...so nice to hear from you again! ^__^

Photograph © Rukshan Jayewardene Yala National Park is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka and one of 14 national parks. Yala West has one of the world’s densest leopard populations (there are estimated to be around 35 leopards in the park.) and is renowned as one of the best places in which to see one of these stunning cats.

With great stamps and cancellations.

CROATIA ~ Dalmatian dog ~

For a dog lover a fantastic card...one of my favorites out of the postcards I received lately...a dalmatian dog overlooking the deep blue see...maybe one of the 101 dalmatian dogs that ran away from dalmatia into one of the most famous disney's cartoons^__^...Big Thaaaaaaanks to my postcard friend-blogger Agi!!

With lovely stamps too:
Children's world-Pets, Chinchila
(Issued 21-02-2014)
400 Years of the Theatre in Hvar
(Issued 25-09-2012)

Photo A. Carli Dalmatia is a historical region on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea. It stretches from the island of Rab in the northwest to the Bay of Kotor in the southeast. The hinterland, the Dalmatian Zagora, ranges from fifty kilometers in width in the north to just a few kilometers in the south.

The Dalmatian is a breed of dog whose roots trace back to Croatia and its historical region of Dalmatia. The Dalmatian is noted for its unique black or liver spotted coat and was mainly used as a carriage dog in its early days.

SRI LANKA ~Male Leopard - Yala National Park ~

First card of another series of Yala National Park....fantastic and imposing sight of this majestic big cat...looking forward to a lot of wonderful new animal postcards...Thanks a lot Ravindra^__^


six stamps are selected with animals living in the Yala National Park (Issued 28-07- 2013) to coincide with the completion of seventy five years of the network of Wild Life Reserves in Sri Lanka.
Hawks-bill Turtle-Swamp Crocodile-Elephant-Black-necked Stork-
Wild Boar and Spotted Deer.

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 and is renowned as one of the best places in which to see one of these stunning cats.





Photograph © Rukshan Jayewardene

USA ~Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge- Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument-UNESCO ~

Wonderful postcard showing one of the most amazing and fascinating sea creatures...unfortunately nearly all species of sea turtle are classified as endangered :(...Thanks a lot Judy!!

With great stamps especially the Johny Cash stamp!!

 

Photographer-Pete Leary Located on the far northern end of the Hawaiian archipelago, Midway Atoll is located within the country's largest conservation area, the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. It is one the oldest atoll formations in the world. Midway Atoll is the remote, unincorporated U.S. territory where the Battle of Midway occurred in 1942. This ring of volcanic islands and reefs is now home to millions of birds (including the world's largest Laysan albatross colony) as well as seals, turtles, dolphins, and myriad fish species.

From back of the card:
Green sea turtles are spotted frequently in the lagoon on Midway Atoll. They take 20 to 50 years to reach maturity and will weigh an average of 440 pounds (200kg). The turtles enjoy sunning themselves on the beaches after swim.

The Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument is a World Heritage listed, U.S. national monument encompassing 140,000 square miles (360,000 km2) (an area larger than the country of Greece) of ocean waters, including ten islands and atolls of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, internationally recognized for both its cultural and natural values.

SRI LANKA ~COLLAGE YALA NATIONAL PARK

This collage I made shows all 12 fabulous  animal postcards from the "Yala National Park" series!! ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ Thank you sooooo much Ravindra♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

SRI LANKA ~Elephants - Yala National Park ~

...Today I received my last card from the series "Yala National Park"...another one  showing elephants... it was always such a great pleasure to find a new animal postcard  in my mailbox...I will miss it!...(received first one in August 2013)^^I got this whole set of amazing  postcards thanks to postcard friend Ravindra!!


 With as always great stamps!!

Yala Natinal Park is one of the best places for sightings of wild Elephants and is important for the conservation of Sri Lankan Elephants.

The elephant herd of Yala contains 300–350 individuals. Asian elephants, also known as Indian elephants are known to be one of the most gentle and intelligent mammals. They can be identified by their small, rounded ears and are quite a bit smaller than their cousins, the African elephants.

KENYA ~ Wildlife ~

And as extra bonus... here is fantastic postcard nr2 of Kenya...for me "Kenya" is synonymous with safaris and magnificent wildlife...I think the opportunity to see wild animals in their natural habitat is a dream for a lot of us and certainly for me!^__^
Thanks a million David for sharing your amazing African journey through your blog and sending wonderful postcards with great stamps!!



Also two more interesting stamps from the set of hundred new stamps for Kenya's 50th anniversary of independence.
(Issued 11-12- 2013)

@Mount Kenyas Sundries Limited - Photo Jonathan and Angie Scott
The diversity of Kenya's wildlife has garnered international fame, especially for its populations of large mammals. Its species of mammals include: East African lions, hippopotami, African buffaloes, wildebeests, African elephants, zebras, giraffes, and rhinos.

Kenya has a very diverse population of birds, including flamingos and Masai ostriches.

SRI LANKA ~Elephant - Yala National Park ~

Second great postcard from Yala National Park showing  elephants, this time an elephant family...
..."the gentle giants of the jungle" ...Many Thanks Ravindra!!!

 With nice matching elephant stamp.

(one of the six stamps of animals living in the park)
(Issued 28-07-2013

Yala National Park (also known as Ruhunu National Park) is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka. Actually it consists of five blocks, two of which are now open to the public; and also adjoining parks. It is situated in the southeast region of the country.

 Yala was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900, and, along with Wilpattu it was one of the first two national parks in Sri Lanka, having been designated in 1938.

 Yala Natinal Park is one of the best places for sightings of wild Elephants and is important for the conservation of Sri Lankan Elephants. The elephant herd of Yala contains 300–350 individuals.

Asian elephants, also known as Indian elephants are known to be one of the most gentle and intelligent mammals. They can be identified by their small, rounded ears and are quite a bit smaller than their cousins, the African elephants.

SRI LANKA ~ Indian Peacock - Yala National Park

...Today a beautiful male Indian Peacock showing its feathers ...probably one of the most recognizable birds of the world...wonderful metallic colored greens and blues...
Thanks Ravindra and  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too ^^!

With lovely bright stamp:
The 23rd Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) (Issued 14-11-2013)

Indian Peafowl are a common sight in the dry zone jungles of Sri Lanka and are probably one of the most easily recognisable birds in the area.

The male's tail is fully developed after it reaches the 4 year mark. The males are known for raising their train in the shape of a fan and quivering them as part of a courtship display. Their diet consists of berries, grain, snakes, lizards and small rodents.

They are most active at dawn and dusk and tend to stay hidden during the heat of the day. When disturbed they prefer to run through the undergrowth and will avoid taking flight.

SRI LANKA ~ Leopard - Yala National Park ~

..My two last Sri lankan postcards waiting to be post here ...both wonderful animals from Yala National Park (postcards nr 7 and 8 in my collection)...Thanks Ravindra!!

With many nice stamps used.

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 and is renowned as one of the best places in which to see one of these stunning cats.

SRI LANKA ~Greater Flamingo - Yala National Park ~

A beautiful sight... these huge birds fly with such elegance...Thanks Ravindra!!

Yala National Park is one of the 70 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Sri Lanka.Of 215 bird species of the park, six are endemic to Sri Lanka.

This is the largest species of flamingo, averaging 110–150 cm (43–60 in) tall and weighing 2–4 kg (4.4–8.8 lbs). Most of the plumage is pinkish-white, but the wing coverts are red and the primary and secondary flight feathers are black. The bill is pink with a restricted black tip, and the legs are entirely pink.  Sub-adult flamingos are whitish-grey and only attain the pink coloration several years into their adult life. The bird resides in mudflats and shallow coastal lagoons with salt water.

TAAF ~ Crozet - Île des Pingouins et le Marion Dufresne ~

Today a bit of mystery postcard...but such a fabulous surprise to find in my mailbox...I think I have to thank my friend Johan for this "again" amazing^_^ surprise...I don't know about the link with Antwerp???

With fantastic matching stamp and cancellation:
TAAF stamp featuring Gentoo penguins
(Issued 15 June 2011)

©Taaf François Lepage

The Territory of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (T.A.A.F.) is an overseas territory of France.

 The Crozet Islands are a sub-antarctic archipelago divided into two groups: L'Ocidental and L'Oriental in the southern Indian Ocean. They form one of the five administrative districts of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands.

The Crozets has one of the highest concentrations of breeding seabirds anywhere in the world, they are home to seven species of albatros and half of the world's king penguins.

 The highest point is MT Marion-Dufresne at 1050m. There are no glaciers and they have been a National Park since 1938.

SRI LANKA ~Toque Macaque - Yala National Park ~

Animal postcard nr 6 from Yala National Park...a funny looking monkey... Thanks sooo much Ravindra for this set of beautiful cards!!

 With many wonderful stamps:
 World Children's and Tourism Day Day 2013

The toque macaque is a reddish-brown-coloured and live only in Sri Lanka, where it is locally known as the rilewa or rilawa. It lives in troops, sometimes numbering up to 20, and has developed into three subspecies. Toque macaques are omnivores and like to eat fruit, seeds, nuts, mushrooms, tubers, invertebrates and occasionally animals, including reptiles and birds.Wild cats (leopards and fishing cats) and python snakes are the main predators of this species.

 Unfortunately, the toque macaque is endangered; their rainforest home is being cut down for logging and for farming.

BAHRAIN ~ Sunset in the Desert - Camels ~

...Fourth and last card from a fantastic set...beautiful sunset with a herd of camels...Edwin wrote that summer is about to end in Bahrain with still temperatures about 42°C...in the worst, temperatures the past months were as high as 50°C...I'm already sweating by reading it!^^ Thanks so much Edwin for card nr4!!


With nice stamps showing Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa,
 the King of Bahrain and butterflies of Bahrain

Bahrain consists of mostly desert, making it the ideal habitat for camels.
Interesting facts about camels:
-A camel stands from 1.8 to just over 2 meters tall at the shoulders, and weighs from 250 to 680
kilograms. Its rope like tail is over 50 centimeters long.
-Camels can go for up to two months without water.
-Camel milk is lower in fat and sugar than cow’s milk.
-Camels can drink up to 40 gallons of water at a time.
-Camel’s don’t start sweating until 41 degrees Celsius.
-Camels have a double row of long, curly eyelashes to keep out sand and dust.
-A camel’s hump does not store water, it stores fat.
-Camels can kick in all four directions with all four of their legs.
-Camel pee can be as thick as syrup because they retain water.

AUSTRALIA ~Kangaroo~

Most of us when we see kangaroos think  of Australia...or on TV series as 'Skippy the Bush Kangaroo', (for the older ones^^) or the sweet "Kanga" friend of Winnie the Pooh... bouncing around the countryside... but kangaroos are not as cute and cuddly as they look...Thanks again Tiffany!!

With 4 nice stamps:
-Fishes of the Reef
(Issued 21-06-2010)
-Celebrating Chinese New Year
(Issued 10-01-2012)
-Ferries in Sydney
(Issued 21-02-2012)
-small dog breeds
(Issued 15-02-2013)

A kangaroo mother and her joey.

Kangaroos are native to Australia. They're good at adapting so they can live in a variety of habitats.
Kangaroos are herbivores, and they eat a wide variety of plants, including grasses, shrubs, tree leaves and shoots. Ecologically, kangaroos are Australia's equivalent of bison, deer and cattle in North America.

 Kangaroos get much of the moisture they need from their diet, which means they can go for long periods of time without drinking water. Speaking of hopping, kangaroos are the only large animals that hop as a primary means of locomotion. A male's jump can be 10 feet (3 m) high and 30 feet (9 m) long, and it can reach speeds of up to 40 mph (60 kph).

Kangaroos are highly social. They often live in groups known as mobs or troops, which can range in size from 10 to more than 100 kangaroos.