Sunday 17 April 2016

Marine Mammals

1990: Marine Life
Marine mammals commonly seen around the Channel Islands were chosen for these Guernsey stamps and.  designed by Jennifer Toombs with her usual attention to detail.  I am not sure if the backgrounds are particular places or just to give a flavour of the Bailiwick's coast. Clockwise from the top left are the Grey Seal (20p) which by coincidence also makes an appearance in Guernsey's Post and Go machine stamps this year of which the Guernsey Post's publicity says that Grey Seal colonies can be seen on The Humps (rocky islets off the tiny island of Herm) and the rocks around the Hanois Lighthouse, Guernsey.  Next is a Bottlenose Dolphin (26p) joyfully jumping and a Harbour Porpoise (37p), the smallest marine mammal and the one most likely to be seen near the shore.  A fish seems to have sneaked its way in here but sadly it is on the red list's endangered species. This is the Basking Shark, the largest fish found in UK waters (it can grow to 8 metres/26 ft) and is a protected species. What method could be easier to imbibes food than slowly swimming along with a mouth open?

The Vietnam 1985 set of 'Marine Mammals' portrayed whales at sea, here are three of them which are in order: the Killer Whale (Orcinus orca), Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) and the Sei Whale (Balaena borealis)

An entry to Sunday Stamps II theme - Mammals of the Sea - Swim over to See It On A Postcard

5 comments:

FinnBadger said...

Great selection for today's SS.

Mail Adventures said...

I have guessed you would show great finds!

VioletSky said...

These are delightful stamps. Isn't it neat how such creatures can look so graceful and playful even with their lumbering, awkward size?!

Bob Scotney said...

Superb stamps. I certainly didn't expect to see Guernsey feature today. Such fine creatures from there and Vietnam.

Heleen said...

Beautiful stamps! The Vietnam ones I wouldn't have expected (because I thought the orca lives in colder waters) but they are great to see.