and here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/adaptations/Polygynandry
These are stamps from my old collection, in high-res - click, and click again to zoom in:
"The lion (Panthera leo) is one of the four big cats in the genus Panthera, and a member of the family Felidae. With some males exceeding 250 kg (550 lb) in weight,[4] it is the second-largest living cat after the tiger.
Wild lions currently exist in Sub-Saharan Africa and in Asia with an endangered remnant population in Gir Forest National Park in India, having disappeared from North Africa and Southwest Asia in historic times.
Until the late Pleistocene, about 10,000 years ago, the lion was the most widespread large land mammal after humans.
They were found in most of Africa, across Eurasia from western Europe to India, and in the Americas from the Yukon to Peru.[5]
The lion is a vulnerable species, having seen a possibly irreversible population decline of thirty to fifty percent over the past two decades in its African range.[6]
Lion populations are untenable outside designated reserves and national parks.
Although the cause of the decline is not fully understood, habitat loss and conflicts with humans are currently the greatest causes of concern."
For the lion below, cougars are too exotic. He chooses his "Valentine" as part of his PRIDE. However, new word you may have learned today: polygynandry.
Happy Valentine's Day!
I will create one or more dorincards with this cut-out image from a book. :)
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Happy PFF (Postcard Friendship Friday)!
Please visit: http://thebestheartsarecrunchy.blogspot.com/ (wait until Beth posts the today's Linky tool for the meme, then make your entry, if you want to join).
I always love coming here for PFF. The lion is one of my favorite animals, so strong and loyal to their pride. Humans seem to ruin most everything, don't they?
ReplyDeleteI love your images. Your stamp collection is amazing. Your passion for them is understood.
Hugs- Tete
Hi Dorin,
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting. Thanks for sharing these cool lion facts, stamps and postcards. Have a great weekend!
Kathy
Hi Dorin, Beautiful cards. I also do love lions. I happen to come often to zoos while my sister enjoys photographing animals. Her work is very good and published in many books and even on some postcards. Happy PFF.
ReplyDeleteI commented on the stamp post below as well! Kudos!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful creatures, I like the variety of visions of lions in the stamps.
ReplyDeleteOh, I just love these! I LOVE big cats and these are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful stamps and excellent information about lions. Their high numbers 10,000 years ago shows they were at the top of the food chain after humans. At least most of the time. Being sociable creatures, they loved having humans for lunch.
ReplyDeleteI've been following up your links - fascinating! The role of zoos in conservation is interesting in itself.
ReplyDeleteBig, beautiful cats. Your blog is wonderful. How sweet are the couple lying in the grass on a hot day. And what a gorgeous group of stamps. Happy PFF, Dorin!
ReplyDeleteThese are absolutely stunning! <3 Lovely lion collection you have.
ReplyDelete