Most politicians would pass a BILL in favor of the SILVER SPOON-FED children of the rich. Not in favor of The Eurasian Spoonbill or Common Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia). WWF maximaphily "cartons" (since the postcards used for these MCs were NOT previously available commercially, as FIP CfM wants in its rules). But I still like such maximum cards! :)

"The Eurasian Spoonbill or Common Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) is a wading bird of the ibis and spoonbill family Threskiornithidae, breeding in southern Eurasia from Spain to Japan, and also in North Africa. 

Most birds migrate to the tropics in winter, with European breeders mainly going to Africa, but a few remaining in mild winter areas of western Europe north to the United Kingdom."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurasian_Spoonbill

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Happy Blue Monday! (meme)

Please visit:  http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/

How long is the Amazon? This is a "40 cm"- long Amazon. The St. Vincent Amazon (Amazona guildingii), also known as St. Vincent Parrot. WWF maximum cards / maxicards / dorincards from St.Vincent.

"The St. Vincent Amazon (Amazona guildingii), also known as St. Vincent Parrot is a large, approximately 40 cm long, multi-colored amazon parrot with a yellowish white, blue and green head, greenish-bronze upperparts plumage, and violet blue-green wings."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Vincent_Parrot

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:LocationSaintVincentAndTheGrenadines.png

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Saint_Vincent_and_the_Grenadines-CIA_WFB_Map.png

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kingstown.jpg

"Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (pronounced /seɪnt ˈvɪnsənt æn ðə ɡrɛnəˈdiːnz/ ( listen)) is a country in the Lesser Antilles chain, namely in the southern portion of the Windward Islands, which lie at the southern end of the eastern border of the Caribbean Sea where the latter meets the Atlantic Ocean. 

It is also known as "Yurumein" amongst the Garifuna people^{[citation needed]}. 

Its 389-square-kilometre (150 sq mi) territory consists of the main island of Saint Vincent and the northern two-thirds of the Grenadines, which are a chain of smaller islands stretching south from Saint Vincent Island to Grenada. 

To the north of St. Vincent lies St. Lucia, to the east Barbados. 

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is densely populated (over 300 inhabitants/km²) with its 120,000 people. 

Its capital is Kingstown, also its main port. 

The country has a French and British colonial history and is now part of the Commonwealth of Nations and CARICOM."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Vincent_and_the_Grenadines

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Happy Blue Monday! (meme)

Please visit:  http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/

Saved by the last 4 females from "the Apocalypse of this species": The Norfolk Parakeet (Cyanoramphus cookii), also called Tasman Parakeet, Norfolk Island Green Parrot or Norfolk Island Red-crowned Parakeet. WWF maximum cards about Norfolk Island.

C is for...cookii.

"The Norfolk Parakeet (Cyanoramphus cookii), also called Tasman Parakeet,^[1] Norfolk Island Green Parrot or Norfolk Island Red-crowned Parakeet, is a species of parrot in the Psittacidae family. It is endemic to Norfolk Island (located between Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia in the Tasman Sea)."

Breed, baby, breed!

"This species of parakeet was down to only 4 breeding females and 28-33 males in 1994, but its population has since rebounded to 200-300 birds. It is only found in Norfolk Island National Park and the surrounding area."

Wrap your brain around this:

"Genetic reconstruction

Further information: Archaeogenetics and Early human migrations

Two pieces of the human genome are quite useful in deciphering human history: 

mitochondrial DNA and the Y chromosome. 

These are the only two parts of the genome that are not shuffled about by the evolutionary mechanisms that generate diversity with each generation: 

instead, these elements are passed down intact. 

According to the hypothesis, all people alive today have inherited the same Mitochondria^[26]from one woman who lived in Africa about 160,000 years ago.^[27][28]

She has been named Mitochondrial Eve. 

All men today have inherited their Y chromosomes from a man who lived 60,000 years ago, probably in Africa. 

He has been named Y-chromosomal Adam."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recent_African_Origin

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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).

Yes, I was talking about the country Liechtenstein, in my previous blogpost! Also, see now WWF maximum cards / maxicards / dorincards from Liechtenstein:

"Libelloides coccajus. Owlflies are dragonfly-like insects with large bulging eyes and long knobbed antennae. They are neuropterans in the family Ascalaphidae; they are only distantly related to the true flies, and even more distant from the dragonflies and damselflies. They are diurnal or crepuscular predators of other flying insects, and are typically 5 cm (2.0 in) long.

* The European Polecat (Mustela putorius), also known as a fitch, foumart, or foulmart, is a member of the Mustelidae family, and is related to the stoats, otters, and minks. 

* The European tree frog (Hyla arborea) is a small frog that can grow to a maximum length of 4.5 cm.
They are the only members of the widespread tree frog family (Hylidae) indigenous to Mainland Europe. Characteristic are the discs on the frog's toes which it uses to climb trees and hedges. There are three or four species and many subspecies:
Hyla arborea (Linnaeus, 1758) (common or European tree frog). 

* The Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius) is a small plover. Adults have a grey-brown back and wings, a white belly, and a white breast with one black neckband. They have a brown cap, a white forehead, a black mask around the eyes with white above and a short dark bill. The legs are flesh-coloured and the toes are all webbed.
This species differs from the larger Ringed Plover in leg colour, the head pattern, and the presence of a clear yellow eye-ring."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page 

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Please visit Ruby Tuesday meme!

My red items for today are about...Liechtenstein.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liechtenstein

=============

Please visit and join Ruby Tuesday meme!

http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com/

World's Cutest Baby Alternates Between Terror & Delight [VIRAL VIDEO]. Also, a philatelic cover ("a symphony of blue elements") with my Big, Bad Wolf zazzle personalized stamp, that COULD be slightly more terrifying than Mommy's nose, for Baby Emerson.

See at mashable.com: World's Cutest Baby Alternates Between Terror & Delight [VIRAL VIDEO]

A philatelic cover ("a symphony of blue elements") with my Big, Bad Wolf zazzle personalized stamp, that COULD be slightly more terrifying than Mommy's nose, for Baby Emerson. 

I will mail/ post this cover today! :)

There are currently only 20 such stamps of this exact design of mine, large size, in the world.

I have previously bought a sheet of 20 stamps, medium size, of a slightly different design.

Can you spot the differences?

Se more: http://s289.photobucket.com/albums/ll201/dorincard/#!cpZZ11QQtppZZ16

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Happy Blue Monday! (meme)

Please visit:  http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/

The Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus), and other pelican species on WWF (and collector-created) maximum cards/ maxicards/ dorincards from Romania. Happy ABC Wednesday meme! Happy World Bird Wednesday meme!

I will post soon a scan with the complete set of 4. Thank you! :)

"The Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus) is a member of the pelican family. It breeds from southeastern Europe to India and China in swamps and shallow lakes. The nest is a crude heap of vegetation.

This is the largest of the pelicans, averaging 170–190 cm (67-75 inches) in length, 11–15 kg (24-33 lbs) in weight and just over 3 m (10 ft) in wingspan. On average, it is the world's heaviest flying species,^{[citation needed]} although large male bustards and swans can exceed the pelican in maximum weight. It differs from the Great White Pelican in that it has curly nape feathers, grey legs and greyish-white (rather than pure white) plumage. It has a red lower mandible in the breeding season. Immatures are grey and lack the pink facial patch of immature White Pelicans. The latter also has darker flight feathers."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalmatian_Pelican

"The Great White Pelican, Pelecanus onocrotalus also known as the Eastern White Pelican or White Pelican is a bird in the pelican family. It breeds from southeastern Europe through Asia and in Africa in swamps and shallow lakes."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Whitepelican_edit_shadowlift.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_White_Pelican

In the above maxicards, I have spotted a few non-concordant elements - different species of pelicans on the same maxicard. The stamp species should have matched the postcard species, AFAIAC [as far as I am concerned].

Can you spot them, just as an intellectual challenge? :)

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Please visit and join The World Bird Wednesday meme!

http://worldbirdwednesday.blogspot.com/

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They say that the gentle lamb sucks milk from two ewes...:)

Here's a second meme.

Please visit and join ABC Wednesday meme!

http://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.com/

Today,  H is for Heaven-on-Earth for birds. 

The Danube Delta (Romania/Ukraine), UNESCO World Heritage Site,

is a Sanctuary for birds and many other animal species. :)

"

"The Danube Delta (Romanian: Delta Dunării; Ukrainian: Дельта Дунаю, Del'ta Dunaju) is the second largest river delta in Europe, after the Volga Delta, and is the best preserved on the continent.^[1] The greater part of the Danube Delta lies in Romania (Tulcea county), while its northern part, on the left bank of the Chilia arm, is situated in Ukraine (Odessa Oblast). "

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:DeltaRBDD.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danube_delta

"Keep monkeying around - I'll snatch your sorry [donkey]!" The largest and the most powerful raptor found in the Americas: The American Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja). WWF Maximum cards/ maxicards/ dorincards about Guyana.

The largest and the most powerful raptor found in the Americas: The American Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja).

Look at the stamp from the maximum card in the lower left - do you see who has been monkeying around?

Actions have consequences. Lack of awareness got punishment. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Harpy_Eagle

"What is a bird of prey?

• Bird of prey is a loose term often applied to the eagle, kite, hawk and even sometimes the owl
• Typically have curved beak, curved talons and good eyesight for finding prey
• Raptor is sometimes used specifically to describe birds that seize warm-blooded animals during the day" http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12634698

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Please visit and join The World Bird Wednesday meme!

http://worldbirdwednesday.blogspot.com/

============

They say that the gentle lamb sucks milk from two ewes...:)

Here's a second meme.

Please visit and join ABC Wednesday meme!

http://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.com/

Today,  G is for Guyana. :)

You may play Macao-the-card-game, but don't play with Macao-the-parrot! It may remove your eye (then you'll need an...iPatch) or it may give you the finger (after it cuts it from you). The Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) - a beautiful, engraved stamp on a 2004 maximum card/ maxicard/ dorincard written and sent to me in 2011 as a simple postcard from the Czech Republic, by my Czech-German friend Wenzel.

Can you see the hearts here?

What we can't see anymore is the miniature sheet that was affixed on the left half of the postcard.

LESSON LEARNED: never overestimate your BODILY EFFLUVIA, such as saliva. Or a weak glue. Instead, affix with enough glue to make it stick.

Make it hard for the postal thieves or the impersonal, brutal Automated Postal Systems to tear off the stamps from your mail piece.

Many years ago, I casually played Macao, a version of the French card game "21".

That's not the point here.

However: here's how to play Crazy Eights / Macau / Macaua:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macau_(card_game)

"Macau (traditional Chinese: 澳門), also spelled Macao ( /məˈkaʊ/), is, along with Hong Kong, one of the two special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China. 

It lies on the western side of the Pearl River Delta, bordering Guangdong provinceto the north and facing the South China Sea to the east and south.^[6]

The territory's economy is heavily dependent on gambling and tourism but also includes manufacturing.

Macau was a Portuguese colony and both the first and last European colony in China.^[7][8] Portuguese traders first settled in Macau in the 16th century and subsequently administered the region until the handover on 20 December 1999. 

The Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration and the Basic Law of Macau stipulate that Macau operates with a high degree of autonomy until at least 2049, fifty years after the transfer.^[9]  [DORIN'S NOTE: then what???]

Under the policy of "one country, two systems", the PRC's Central People's Governmentis responsible for the territory's defense and foreign affairs, while Macau maintains its own legal system, police force, monetary system, customs policy, and immigration policy. 

Macau participates in many international organizations and events that do not require members to possess national sovereignty.^[9][10] 

According to the CIA factbook, Macau has the highest life expectancy in the world.^[11]"

^{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macau}

But that's not the point here, either.

The point is Macao The Parrot: The Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao).

"The Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) is a large, colorful macaw. It is native to humid evergreen forests in the American tropics. Range extends from extreme south-eastern Mexico to Amazonian Peru, Bolivia and Brazil in lowlands up to 500 m (1,640 ft) (at least formerly) up to 1,000 m (3,281 ft). It has suffered from local extinction through habitat destruction and capture for the parrot trade, but locally it remains fairly common. Formerly it ranged north to southern Tamaulipas. It can still be found on the island of Coiba. It is the national bird of Honduras."

"As Pets

Scarlet Macaws are quite demanding of time and resources, and in general, make for a rude, noisy, messy, and destructive house guest. 

One should spend a lot of time reading about these birds before inviting them into your home. 

Any large macaw can easily remove a finger, or remove

 your eye while perched on your shoulder. 

Not always aggressive, they are always somewhat unpredictable, even around experienced handlers."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarlet_macaw

Scarlet Macaw, less dangerous than Scarface [gangster Al Capone - he gave a new meaning to Be my Valentine: The St. Valentine's Day Massacre eliminated some of Capone's enemies, but outraged the general public].

Scarlet Macaw, more brightly-colored than ScarJo [actress Scarlett Johansson].

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Scarlett_Johansson_with_soldiers_3.jpg

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Please visit and join The Guest Heart Thursday meme!

http://clytie-randomhearts.blogspot.com/

Welcome to Guest Heart Thursday -
A place to share YOUR hearts!