Stamp releasesFind the latest stamp releasesStamp ReleasesUnited Kingdom – Celebrating 50 Years of PrideJune 24, 2022Celebrating 50 Years of Pride Royal Mail today revealed images of a new set of eight, vibrantly illustrated stamps, being issued to mark the 50thĀ anniversary of the UKās first Pride rally that took place on 1 July 1972.Ā Issued exactly 50 years to the day, the stamps celebrate the march that took place from Trafalgar Square to Hyde Park, which was the first to bear the name āGay Pride Rallyā.Ā The march was inspired by events in the USA, where the first Pride events had taken place to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York. The stamps, specially commissioned by Royal Mail, were art directed by NB Studio and illustrated by award-winning artist Sofie Birkin. Her illustrations have featured in campaigns for brands such as Nike and Apple.Royal Mail worked with journalist and published author Amelia Abraham on the stamp issue andalso consulted with Royal Mailās internal LGBT & Friends Network. Beginning in 1972, the stamps tell a story of Pride over time. They depict the first āGay Pride rallyā and early Pride events where participants shouted slogans such as, āGay is fun! Gay is proud! Gay is beautiful!ā,Ā to the more recentĀ update on the traditional rainbow flag, its design encompassing the flags of trans and intersex people, while also referencing the inclusion of LGBTQ+ people of colour.David Gold, Director External Affairs & Policy, Royal MailĀ said: āThe vibrant, colourful Pride events that take place in towns and cities across the UK today trace their origins to a small number of people who marched through central London half a century ago to raise awareness of discrimination and inequality. There have been huge changes in laws and social attitudes, but Pride events continue to play a key role in raising awareness of discrimination, as well as celebrating diversity and individualism.ā Pride animation:Ā The designers of the stamps, NB Studio, have, in collaboration with animation studio, Animade, created a film using the illustrations featured in the stamp issue. The film builds on the diverse and beautiful characters featured on the stamps and draws them together using rich storytelling throughout – which uses complex hand-drawn, frame by frame animation. NB Studio selected Animade to bring Sofie Birkin’s illustrations to life – assisted by NB Studioās writer Dan Radley, sound engineers Box of Toys and voice actor Layton Williams. Alan Dye, Creative Director at and owner of NB Studio, said āIt was a real honour to be asked to design this iconic series for The Royal Mail, as they represent such an important part of British LGBTQ+ history. It was an absolute joy to work with Sofie Birkin whoās work weāve admired for some time. Watching these beautiful illustrations come to life you could easily imagine yourself as part of the āMarch Through Timeā¦ā. Jennifer Judd, co-founder and Managing Director at Animade, said: āThis was a joyous project for Animade to be part of and gave us an opportunity as part of our creative industry to do something beautiful to celebrate Pride and the diverse LGBTQ+ community. Animation adds an extra narrative dimension, which helped to bring this important project for Royal Mail to life. Pride in the UK from 1972 to the present: On 1 July 1972, a crowd of people gathered in Londonās Trafalgar Square before marching to Hyde Park. This was not the first march for LGBTQ+ rights in the UK; similar protests had taken place in Highbury Fields, Islington, in 1970, and another in Trafalgar Square in 1971. But it was the first with the name āGay Pride Rallyā. The inspiration came from the USA, where the first Pride events had taken place to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall riots, the 1969 clash between the LGBTQ+ community and police in New York City. The spirit of Pride was one of defiant visibility. At Londonās first event there was even a ākiss-inā ā a mass display of same-sex affection, while people at early Pride events chanted slogans such as, āGay is fun! Gay is proud! Gay is beautiful!ā One of their demands was greater legal equality for gay people. Homosexuality was partially decriminalised in England and Wales in 1967, yet police arrests of gay and bisexual men remained common in the years following. Over the course of the first decade of Pride events, calls for basic safety and freedom were a priority; during Gay Pride Week in 1978, pamphlets were distributed to raise awareness of violent assaults on the LGBTQ+ community, such as the National Frontās then recent attack on the popular South London LGBTQ+ venue the Royal Vauxhall Tavern. During the 1980s, an increased climate of homophobia in the wake of the AIDS epidemic meant that attacks on LGBTQ+ people in the UK continued. The health crisis also sparked new Pride events, such as Manchester Pride, which began as an AIDS fundraiser. Throughout the 1990s, Pride spread across the UK. Pride Scotia launched in Scotland, with annual marches alternating between Edinburgh and Glasgow, and the first Cardiff Pride followed in 1999. In the 2000s, attendance at Pride in London grew alongside increasing support for LGBTQ+ rights, and more events were launched under the Pride banner. In 2002, same-sex couples won the right to adopt; two years later, same-sex civil partnerships were legalised. In 2013, an even more historic shift took place when the law was changed to allow same-sex marriage. The following year, Pride began to attract large corporate sponsorships, signalling its increased mainstream acceptance. By 2015, Pride in London, as it was now known, attracted a million people, and it continued to grow in the years following, until Pride celebrations had to be cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Today, Pride in London remains the main event in the UK, though many others are flourishing across the country. The stamps are available to pre-order from today (23 June)Ā www.royalmail.com/pride,Ā by phone on 03457 641 641 and at 7,000 Post Offices across the UK. They go on general sale on 1 July. A Presentation Pack, containing all eight stamps, is priced at Ā£12.96 Freddie Mercuryās childhood stamp album to be displayed at Londonās Postal Museum: The Postal Museum in London is to display one of Freddie Mercuryās childhood possessions – his stamp album – for the first time.The album will be on display in the museum from 13 July until 30 October this year and is part of the celebrations to mark the 50thĀ anniversary of the UK Pride movement.Ā The 54-page album consists predominately of stamps from the British Commonwealth and reveals not only Freddieās early life in Zanzibar, but also his artistic talent. For more information on the exhibition, visit www.postalmuseum.org/visit-us/ available on ebay... Read more...Netherlands – 250th birthday of the first king of the House of Orange-Nassau: Willem IJune 21, 2022Students design stamps for King Willem I The Hague, 20 June 2022. Today PostNL issues a new stamp sheetlet to commemorate the 250th birthday of the first king of the House of Orange-Nassau: Willem I (1772-1843). Prince Willem Frederik was born 250 years ago in The Hague. In 1815 he was proclaimed King William I of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. The stamps for 250 years of King William I show portraits of him and his wife Wilhelmina of Prussia, next to an image of the city palace in Fulda. Prince Willem Frederik reigned as FĆ¼rst over this German principality from 1802 to 1806. Students ArtEZ The design of the stamps was made by Graphic Design students of ArtEZ, University of the Arts in Zwolle. A total of 40 students took part in the project, each with their own contribution to the final result. Work was done individually and in groups of varying composition, with guidance from ArtEZ teachers. Nassau blue Like the photo of the city palace, the portraits of Willem I and Wilhelmina have been radically edited by the students. For example, monochrome Nassau blue was chosen as the classic color that suits our royal family. āA texture with a pastel-like effect has also been added to the images, as a reference to King William I’s great interest in the arts,ā said Lois Barendse, one of the students in the project. āThis structure also brings more depth to the image. The lighter blue makes it look like the subjects are in a spotlight. That gives it something sublime.ā Military Order of William The stamps show the official monogram of King Willem I, but also a festive pattern of crosses in the colors red, white, blue and orange. The shape of the cross is derived from the Military Order of William, the highest knighthood in the Netherlands. This order was established by King William I himself for deeds that testify to courage, policy and loyalty. Design & Dynasty This year, from June 18 to August 28, the exhibition Design & Dynasty, 250 Jahre Hofleben Oranien-Nassau can be seen in Fulda, Germany. The exhibition was curated by curator Nicole Uniquole. She combined contemporary design with objects from the Royal Collections. The exhibition covers the period of seven Dutch royal couples, from King Willem I and his wife Queen Wilhelmina to King Willem-Alexander and Queen MĆ”xima. During the opening of the exhibition, the stamp was officially presented by PostNL to Dr. Thomas Heiler, head of the Fulda City Archives and, since 2011, also head of the city’s cultural office. About King William II The reign of William I was characterized by the maintenance of the reforms from the French period and by large investments in industry, trade and in the construction of many canals and roads. In 1840 William I abdicated and he was succeeded by his eldest son, King Willem II. Availability The stamp sheetlet 250 years King William I has 6 stamps in 3 different designs, with the value indication Nederland 1, intended for mail up to and including 20 grams with a destination within the Netherlands. The stamps will be available from 20 June at the Bruna stores and via the webshop. Available at ebay... Read more...Canada – Chief Marie-Anne Day Walker-PelletierJune 17, 2022New stamp commemorates extraordinary leadership of Chief Marie-Anne Day Walker-Pelletier The champion of social reform served the most consecutive terms by an elected First Nations chief in Canada FORT QUāAPPELLE, SASKATCHEWANĀ ā Today, at an event in Fort QuāAppelle, Sask., Canada Post unveiled its commemorative stamp recognizing the incredible 39-year leadership of Chief Marie-Anne Day Walker-Pelletier. As leader of the Okanese First Nation in Saskatchewan, she served the most consecutive terms ever by an elected First Nations chief in Canada. A committed advocate of social reform, Day Walker-Pelletier was part of the Indigenous delegation that met with Pope Francis at the Vatican earlier this year to discuss the Catholic Churchās role in the residential school system. This is one of three Indigenous Leaders stamps that will officially be released on June 21 ā National Indigenous Peoples Day ā in recognition of the contributions each Indigenous leader has made to their communities. About Chief Marie-Anne Day Walker-Pelletier During her nearly 40 years as leader of the Okanese First Nation, on Treaty 4 territory near Fort QuāAppelle, Sask., Day Walker-Pelletier ā who was born in 1954 in Regina ā forged her reputation as a matriarch and champion of her people. She led numerous projects related to education, wellness and social reform, while also working to preserve the culture, language and traditions of her people. In 1981, Day Walker-Pelletier ran for and took office as Chief of the Okanese First Nation. Initially, she intended to serve a single term. However, the community repeatedly asked that she retain her position and she ended up serving 15 two-year terms along with three three-year terms. After her last term ended in 2020, she did not seek re-election. Throughout her leadership, she fought to improve the quality of life of the Okanese and to protect the culture, rights and traditions of all First Nations people through her involvement in numerous tribal, provincial and national initiatives on social reform, health and wellness, and education. She was an advocate of many important issues including violence against women, drug abuse, economic development, housing, health and education. A survivor of the residential school system, Day Walker-Pelletier was particularly passionate about improving the lives of women and children. In 2021, a year after she retired, her decade-long dream to reintegrate Indigenous foster children into their families culminated in the opening of the Day walker Home Fire Family Centre. Day Walker-Pelletier was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 2018 and invested in 2019. She also received the Saskatchewan Order of Merit in 2021. About the Indigenous Leaders stamp series This stamp set is the inaugural release of Canada Postās new multi-year Indigenous Leaders series.Ā On June 21 ā National Indigenous Peoples Day ā Canada Post will issue three stamps in honour of Indigenous leaders Harry Daniels, Chief Marie-Anne Day Walker-Pelletier and Jose Kusugak. This week, two other stamp unveiling events were held: On June 13, the stamp honouring Harry Daniels was unveiled at an event in Regina.On June 14, the stamp commemorating Jose Kusugak was unveiled at an event in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. Stamps and collectibles will be available at canadapost.ca and postal outlets across Canada beginning June 21.... Read more...Canada – Indigenous Leaders Booklet KusugakJune 15, 2022Canada Post unveils new stamp honouring Inuit leader Jose Kusugak Considered a Father of Confederation for his role in the efforts that led to the creation of Nunavut RANKIN INLET, NUNAVUT ā At an event today in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, Canada Post unveiled a new commemorative stamp recognizing the accomplishments of Jose Kusugak. An Inuit activist, linguist and award-winning broadcaster, Kusugak played a critical role in efforts that led to the creation of Nunavut in 1999, for which many consider him a Father of Confederation. This is one of three stamps that will officially be released on June 21 ā National Indigenous Peoples Day ā in recognition of the contributions each Indigenous leader has made to the communities they have served. About Jose Kusugak (1950-2011) Born in Repulse Bay, Northwest Territories (now Naujaat, Nunavut), Jose Kusugak dedicated his life to raising awareness of Inuit identity and issues. He coined the phrase āFirst Canadians, Canadians Firstā to describe the place of his people within Canada. A survivor of the residential school system, Kusugak began his own career as a teacher. He worked at the University of Saskatchewanās Eskimo Language School and the Churchill Vocational Centre in Manitoba, where he taught Inuktitut and Inuit history and later served as a cultural and linguistic adviser. As head of the Inuit Language Commission in the 1970s, he was involved in developing a standardized, dual writing system for Inuktitut, using Roman orthography and syllabics. In 1971, he joined the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada (ITC), where his natural abilities as a communicator helped in his efforts to disseminate and explain the concept of land claims to Inuit communities. To further spread the land claims message across the Arctic, Kusugak joined CBC North in 1980 as area manager for the Kivalliq region. After 10 years with CBC, he joined the Inuit Broadcasting Corporation, introducing new areas of programming in Inuktitut. From 1994 to 2000, Kusugak was president of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. The organization played a pivotal role in negotiating the land claim that created Nunavut, which became a territory on April 1, 1999. In 2000, he was elected president of the ITC, whose name was subsequently changed to the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), which means āInuit are united in Canada.ā After leaving the ITK in 2006, Kusugak continued to work in regional politics, negotiating on behalf of the Inuit on a variety of important issues. About the Indigenous Leaders stamp series This stamp set is the inaugural release of Canada Postās new multi-year Indigenous Leaders series. On June 21 ā National Indigenous Peoples Day ā Canada Post will issue three stamps in honour of Indigenous leaders Harry Daniels, Chief Marie-Anne Day Walker-Pelletier and Jose Kusugak. The two other stamp unveiling events held this week: On June 13, the stamp honouring Harry Daniels was unveiled at an event in Regina.On June 15, the stamp commemorating Chief Marie-Anne Day Walker-Pelletier will be unveiled at an event in Fort QuāAppelle, Saskatchewan.... Read more...Australia – Prince PhilipJune 15, 2022 New Australia Post stamp in memory of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh Australia Post has released a new stamp commemorating the life and service of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. Married to Queen Elizabeth II for more than 70 years, Prince Philip was the longest-serving consort of a reigning British monarch and died peacefully at Windsor Castle in 2021 at the age of 99. Prince Philip visited Australia many times, firstly as a midshipman on the HMS Ramillies in 1940. His first official visit was with the Queen in 1954 and his last in 2011, before he retired from official duties in 2017 having attended an average of 350 official engagements a year. Born on the Greek Island of Corfu on 10 June 1921, he became engaged to Princess Elizabeth in 1947, renouncing his rights to the Greek and Danish throne and becoming a naturalised British subject. He married Princess Elizabeth on 20 November 1947 and became Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, Baron Greenwich and a Knight of the Garter. Prince Philip left the Navy when Elizabeth became Queen and was given the status of Prince of the United Kingdom, and in 2011 she bestowed the title of Lord High Admiral, which made him the titular head of the Royal Navy. Australia Post Group Philatelic Manager Michel Zsolt said Prince Philipās legacy included a lifetime of charitable work such as serving as international president of the WWF, and The Duke of Edinburgh Awards supporting youth achievement around the world. āPrince Philipās more than 60 years of official public life, and his significant philanthropic contribution, were truly remarkable and through that charitable work and his many visits to Australia over the decades he also touched the lives of Australians,ā Mr Zsolt said. The $1.10 stamp features the work of Australian-born artist Ralph Heimans, with a 2017 portrait depicting Prince Philip in the Grand Corridor at Windsor Castle dressed formally and wearing the sash of the Order of the Elephant, Denmarkās highest honour. The stamp created in Prince Philipās honour also comes as the Queen marks her Platinum Jubilee of 70 years on the throne, having been crowned on 2 June 1953. The Prince Philip stamp, and stamps also commemorating the Queenās Platinum Jubilee, are on sale now at participating Post Offices, via mail order on 1800 331 794, and online while stocks last. For more information visit auspost.com.au/stamps or australiapostcollectables.com.auĀ Available on ebay... Read more...Canada – MĆ©tis leader Harry DanielsJune 13, 2022At an event today in Regina, Canada Post unveiledĀ a new commemorative stampĀ recognizing the accomplishments of MĆ©tis leader Harry Daniels. A politician, activist, writer and actor, Daniels dedicated his life to the rights and well-being of MĆ©tis and non-status Indians in Canada. This is one of three stamps that will officially be released on June 21 ā National Indigenous Peoples Day ā in recognition of the contributions each Indigenous leader has made to their communities. About Harry Daniels Born in Regina Beach, Saskatchewan, Daniels (1940-2004) ā known for his quick wit and joie de vivre ā served as an outspoken advocate for his people for more than 40 years. Many consider his contributions to MĆ©tis rights to be without equal in modern-day Canada. First elected to office in 1972 as vice-president of the MĆ©tis Association of Alberta (now MĆ©tis Nation of Alberta), Daniels would go on to represent Indigenous and MĆ©tis Peoples provincially, nationally and internationally. He was elected secretary-treasurer of the Native Council of Canada (now Congress of Aboriginal Peoples) in 1974 and later served as its president and chief executive officer. One of Danielsā most important contributions was successfully leading an effort to convince the federal government to enshrine the inherent rights of MĆ©tis and non-status Indians in the new Constitution. As a result, MĆ©tis are included, along with First Nations (named as Indians) and Inuit, as Indigenous (identified as Aboriginal) Peoples in the Constitution Act, 1982. For Daniels, however, constitutional recognition was just a first step. Since 1867, the federal government had recognized only āstatus Indiansā as being its jurisdictional responsibility. The provincial governments had also not claimed responsibility for MĆ©tis and non-status Indians. To this end, in 1999, Daniels and several other plaintiffs launched Daniels v. Canada to determine the federal governmentās relationship with the two groups. The case was not decided until 2016, 12 years after Danielsā death, when the Supreme Court upheld the Federal Court ruling that MĆ©tis and non-status Indians are Indians under the British North America Act, 1867, and therefore, come under the federal governmentās jurisdiction. Over his lifetime, Daniels wrote several books on MĆ©tis issues and many articles and papers on the Constitution and Indigenous rights. An actor of both stage and film, he also held degrees from the University of Saskatchewan, Carleton University and the University of Ottawa (honorary doctorate). During his later years, he taught MĆ©tis history at the University of Saskatchewan and guest lectured at universities across Canada. In March 2004, Daniels was awarded the Order of the MĆ©tis Nation by the MĆ©tis National Council. About the Indigenous Leaders stamp series This stamp set is the inaugural release in Canada Postās new multi-year Indigenous Leaders series.Ā On JuneĀ 21 ā National Indigenous Peoples Day ā Canada Post will issue three stamps in honour of Indigenous leaders Harry Daniels, Chief Marie-Anne Day Walker-Pelletier and Jose Kusugak.Ā This week, two more stamp unveiling events will be held: On June 14, the stamp commemorating Jose Kusugak will be unveiled at an event in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut.On June 15, the stamp honouring Chief Marie-Anne Day Walker-Pelletier will be unveiled at an event in Fort QuāAppelle, Sask. Stamps and collectibles will be available atĀ canadapost.caĀ and postal outlets across Canada beginning June 21.... Read more...Ć land – Contemporary ArtJune 13, 2022This yearās stamp booklet presentscontemporary art in Ć land 9 June sees Ć land Postās issue of the 2022 stamp booklet Ć landContemporary presenting art by seven present-day Ć land artists.To find the best selection of artwork, Ć land Post was assisted bySusanne ProcopĆ©-Ilmonen of the Ć land Art Museum and LeilaCromwell-Morgan Lƶnnroth of Gallery Skarpans. āI find it verypositive that Ć land Post has invested in this theme right now.Ć land has a thriving art life with surprisingly many artistsin a small population,ā Leila Cromwell-Morgan Lƶnnroth says. The term contemporary is used for all present-day or modern art,and the group decided to include only works from the last 20 yearsin the selection. āTo me, it was important to highlight the breadth oftodayās Ć land art life, of course, also in terms of gender and age.And to produce an appealing booklet in which the works functionindividually and as a whole. Iāve learned that not all works aresuitable for the small format,ā Leila Cromwell-Morgan Lƶnnrothsays.Susanne ProcopĆ©-Ilmonen adds: āIt was also important to presentdifferent techniques such as sculpture, photography, painting,graphics, and textile art. It was rewarding to be part of the workinggroup, and we had interesting discussions about what is currentlyhappening in the Ć land art scene and how we could convey this inour selection. We have an interesting art scene of younger and olderartists with varying expressions. Nature motifs are popular, but theyalso depict sensitive and controversial topics, and Ć land art therebyparticipates in the contemporary debate.ā Seven different stamps are included the booklet Ć land Contemporary.The works of art included are from above:Tiina Tahvanainen: Ć land originals, Borghill Lindholm, photo, 2007Gunnar Sjƶblom: Japanese lantern, photopolymer engraving, 2008Kurt Simons: Augur I, geometric abstraction, acrylic on canvas, 2010Minna Ćberg: #sniffingaround3, oil on panel, 2019Barbro Eriksson: Sacrificial cardigan, concept art, mixed media, embroidery & crochet, 2021Erica Signell: All over the place, oil & acrylic, 2018Johan Karlsson: Rooster, sculpture, scrap metal, 2019 Booklet cover: Erica Signellās artwork Allover the place, 2018 Facts about the issue Name of issue Ć land contemporaryDate of issue 9 June 2022Artists Barbro Eriksson, Johan Karlsson, Erica Signell,Kurt Simons, Gunnar Sjƶblom, Tiina Tahvanainen & Minna ĆbergDesign Johanna FinnePhoto & repro Kjell SƶderlundEdition 25 000 bookletsDenomination 7Ćā¬3.20Price FDC ā¬23.40Stamp sizes 31Ć28,5 mm, 31Ć40,5 mm, 62Ć41 mmSize folded booklet 62Ć84 mmPaper 110 g/mĀ²Perforation 13 per 2 cmProcess 5-colour offsetPrinter Cartor Security Printing Images provided by Ć land Post... Read more...Ć land – Ć land centenaryJune 13, 2022Special stamp issue celebratesĆ land centenary On 9 June 2022, Ć land Post issues its second stamp incelebration of the 100th anniversary of Ć land autonomy.This yearās miniature sheet by Ć land artist Jonas WilĆ©nshows a cross-section of the Ć land islands of today. To puta silver lining on the celebration of the centenary, we alsolaunch a limited edition of a specially printed version of theminiature sheet inserted in a jubilee pack. Jonas WilĆ©n describes the miniature sheet as āĆ land in a nutshellā, and hegives his version of todayās life in Ć land, where old ways and modern life mixwell. The islanders affirm their proud traditions but, at the same time, take partin the modern high-tech world. In Ć land, it is close to nature, jobs, school andexperiences. Ć land Post also releases a jubilee pack with a special version of the miniaturesheet Ć land autonomy 100 years on 9 June. The special miniature sheet is produced with foiling and embossing in a limited edition of 4500. The texts on thesheet are printed in glossy metal foil, while the embossing print makes the islandseem to have risen slightly above sea level. In the jubilee pack, the miniaturesheet is placed centrally in a foil pocket for best viewing and safe storage. Thejubilee pack is numbered by hand and also has information about the issue inEnglish, German, Swedish and Finnish. Facts about the issue Name of issue Ć land autonomy 100 yearsDate of issue 9 June 2022Artist Jonas WilĆ©nDesign Johanna FinneEdition 25 000Denomination ā¬5.00Price FDC ā¬6.00Price jubilee pack ā¬10.00Stamp size 50 Ć 44,8 mmMiniature sheet size 120 Ć 95 mmPaper 110 g/m2Perforation 13 per 2 cmProcess 4-colour offsetPrinter Cartor Security Printing Image provided by Ć land Post Buy it at ebay... Read more...Aruba – Marine LifeJune 10, 2022Post Aruba emits its stamp series āMarine Lifeā On a collaboration with Aruba National Park Foundation On June 8, 2021, which is World Oceans Day, Post Aruba N.V. emits its stamp series āMarine Lifeā. This emission was done in collaboration with Aruba National Park Foundation through a nature photography competition held in December 2021. This stamp emission is accompanied by a First Day Cover envelope that was designed by Mr. Armando Goedgedrag. Description of the stamps: Title: Green sea turtle; a local favorite Location: Arashi Reef, Aruba Photographer: Kanter Constandse Photographer Caption: Locally turtles are probably the most popular find for divers and snorkelers. This sea turtle was resting in a coral bed on a known feeding ground for turtles; Arashi Reef. The key to approaching a turtle without disturbing it is a slow and low approach, breathing out slowly not to create any noise and minimizing movement. The turtle is framed with her natural protection surrounding her, and the coral on top of her like a symbolic crown to her beauty. Creature description: Green sea turtle The green sea turtle live throughout tropical and subtropical seas around the world, with two distinct populations in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, but it is also found in the Indian Ocean. Globally, the largest populations of sea turtles are in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, and the Caribbean Sea. The diet of green turtles changes with age. Juveniles are carnivorous, but as they mature they become omnivorous. Young sea turtles eat fish eggs, mollusks, jellyfish, small invertebrates, worms, sponges, algae, and crustaceans. Green sea turtles have a relatively slow growth rate because of the low nutritional value of their diet. Body fat turns green because of the consumed vegetation. Their serrated jaw helps them chew algae and sea grasses. Most adult sea turtles are strictly herbivorous. Like other sea turtles, green sea turtles migrate long distances between feeding grounds and hatching beaches. Females crawl out on beaches, dig nests, and lay eggs during the night. Later, hatchlings emerge, and scramble into the water. Those that reach maturity may live to 90 years in the wild. It is listed as endangered by the IUCN and CITES and is protected from exploitation in most countries. It is illegal to collect, harm, or kill them. In addition, many countries have laws and ordinances to protect nesting areas. However, turtles are still in danger due to human activity. In some countries, turtles and their eggs are still hunted for food. Pollution indirectly harms turtles at both population and individual scales. Many turtles die after being caught in fishing nets. In addition, real estate development often causes habitat loss by eliminating nesting beaches. Title: “Face” of a Flamingo tongue Location: Arashi Reef, Aruba Photographer: Vasco v. Baselli Photographer Caption: It never ceases to amaze me how much beauty can be discovered when closing in on the tiniest details of the underwater world. In this super macro image, the details of the “face” of the Flamingo Tongue snail (Cyphoma Gibbosum) come to life, appearing almost to smile. Aruba, The One Happy Island, where even the Flamingo Tongues smile! Creature description: Flamingo tongue snail The flamingo tongue snail is a species of small but brightly colored sea snail, that live in the tropical waters of the western Atlantic Ocean, in the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and off the Lesser Antilles. The flamingo tongue snail feeds by browsing on the living tissues of the soft corals on which it lives. Adult females attach eggs to coral which they have recently fed upon. After roughly 10 days, the larvae hatch. Alive, the snail appears bright orange-yellow in color with black markings. However, these colors are not in the shell, but are only due to live mantle tissue which usually covers the shell. The mantle flaps can be retracted, exposing the shell, but this usually happens only when the animal is attacked. This species used to be common, but it has become rather uncommon in heavily visited areas because of over collecting by snorkelers and scuba divers, who make the mistake of thinking that the bright colors are in the shell of the animal. Title: Floating in the current Location: Between Hole in the wall and Isla di Oro, Aruba Photographer: Tobia de Scisciolo Photographer Caption: The magnificent Feather Duster Worm is a beautiful subject and I appreciate photographing it. I particularly enjoy using them as the centerpieces of my pictures as seldomly, like in this example, you find them isolated on top of a coral which if the right angle is used, allows you to obtain this dark blue almost black background. Through this empty and dark background, I enjoy how the main subject is put forward with the strong contrast of the dark blue oceanic background. Creature description: Feather Duster Worm Feather duster worms are a family of filter-feeding marine tubeworms that live motionless lives. They are known for their highly branched fan of tentacles that extends from their tubes, and look like feather dusters. A Feather duster worm is often found in the subtidal zones of reefs around the world, positioned in moderate currents where plankton meals get brought to them each day that are gentle enough to not damage their feathery crown. The feathery crown that gives the feather duster worm its name is a specialized part of its body that is used to trap plankton and move them to its mouth. These fan worms donāt have a face and eyes, but they are able to detect changes in the light and use that light sensitivity to protect them from predators. If a feather duster worm detects a shadow or feels threatened, it will retreat into its tube for protection. They also have the ability to reproduce asexually through fragmentation. Title: The ghost crab Location: Pink beach/pyramid rock behind the Arashi dunes, Aruba Photographer: Nohemy Habibe Photographer Caption: On my last day shooting at the āpink beachā /āpyramid rockā behind the Arashi dunes, I saw a movement out the corner of my right eye. I had spotted many ghost crabs, but none were this big. We had a moment of mutual understanding as she let me get various shots from different angles and distances. Creature description: Ghost Crab Ghost crabs are common shore crabs in tropical and subtropical regions throughout the world, inhabiting deep burrows in the intertidal zone. They are generalist scavengers and predators of small animals. The name “ghost crab” derives from their nocturnality and their generally pale coloration which blends in well with the sand, though they are capable of gradually changing body coloration to match their environments and the time of day. Characteristics of the subfamily include one claw being larger than the other, thick and elongated eyestalks, and a box-like body. They are semi-terrestrial and breathe oxygen from the air through moistened gills. They must periodically wet their gills with seawater, usually by taking water from moist sand or by running into the surf and letting the waves wash over them. However, they can only remain under water for a limited amount of time, as they will drown. They remain in their burrows during the hottest part of the day, and throughout the coldest part of the winter. Ghost crabs are negatively affected by human activity on sandy beaches, such as sand trampling by foot traffic, the building of seawalls, or the presence of inorganic pollutants. Due to their worldwide distribution and the ease by which their burrows can be surveyed, ghost crab burrows are regarded as valuable ecological indicators for quickly assessing the impact of human disturbance on beach habitats. This stamp series and First Day Cover envelope are available at all the Post Office locations, namely in Oranjestad and San Nicolas. For more information on the āMarine Lifeā stamps serie please visit the Facebook page: Aruba Stamps or Webpage: postaruba.com/philatelic/... Read more...United Nations – World Chess DayJune 10, 2022World Chess Day is celebrated annually on 20 July. The General Assembly proclaimed this day to mark the date of the establishment of the International Chess Federation in Paris in 1924. The United Nations recognizes that sport, the arts, and physical activity have the power to change perceptions, prejudices and behaviours, as well as to inspire people, break down racial and political barriers, combat discrimination and defuse conflict, thus contributing to the promotion of education, sustainable development, peace, cooperation, solidarity, social inclusion and health at the local, regional and international levels. Chess is an ancient, intellectual, and cultural game, and it encompasses elements of sport, science, and art. As an affordable and inclusive activity, it can be played anywhere and by all, across the barriers of language, age, gender, physical ability or social status. Chess is a global game that promotes fairness, inclusion, and mutual respect, and it can contribute to an atmosphere of tolerance and understanding among peoples and nations. The UNPA celebrates World Chess Day on 20 July 2022 with a special event sheet of 10 stamps, issued for the Vienna office in the denomination of ā¬ 1,00. Special event sheet specifications: Stamp size: 40.6 mm x 29.8 mm Tab size: 26.6 mm x 29.8 mm Sheet size: 279.4 mm x 215.9 mm This special event sheet may be personalized with a photograph replacing the United Nations emblem. Customers are invited to visit the UNPA stamp shops in New York, Geneva or Vienna, or upload their photographs to the UNPA website: unstamps.org... Read more...
