Bellflower

It took him several weeks to find the perfect nettle-leaved bellflower to photograph for this year’s SEPAC stamps. 

Photographer Andy Horner spent quite some time in a ditch before he could catch it in ultimate lighting.
Finding the perfect nettle-leaved bellflower was not so easy. This type of bellflower is not very common in Åland and it grows in shady deciduous forests, not exactly the ideal environment to shoot this towering flower without any shadows and against a clean background. Nature photographer Andy Horner was on the lookout for weeks. 

Nettle-leaved bellflower belongs to the family Campanulaceae. In Åland, we find some 15 species. Its square stem and serrated leaves resemble those of the nettle, hence the name. The Latin name Campanula trachelium derives from campa meaning bell and trachelium meaning throat. The herb was formerly used to treat sore throat.
Andy Horner’s search for the right bell continued, from the car, when bicycling and walking.
“And I got lucky! On a warm evening walk in high summer my wife spotted a beautiful specimen”, Andy Horner smiles.
And there it was, in a ditch. In the light of the low evening sun, surrounded by buzzing bees. In the following days, Andy returned to the flower several times to catch the various types of light.

“When I later, in the autumn, passed by its black withered stem, it reminded me of summer. I’m very pleased that this specific flower has been immortalized on an Åland stamp”, Andy Horner says. 

Thank you Dear Ella for this lovely maxicard with the bellflower.

Spring Flowers

It would not be spring without a flower stamp. This year's stamp depicts a viola. Illustrated by Leena Airikkala, the 1st class Bunch of Violas stamp will be published in a sheet of ten stamps. The plant theme is familiar to Airikkala. Her Apple Blossom stamp was selected as the most beautiful Finnish stamp in 2005. 

Thank you Dear Ella for this lovely maxicard.

Finnish Summer Landscapes

The stamp on this lovely maxicard depicting landscapes in summer in Finland, is one of a set of six pretty stamps.

The themes include sunsets, lakes and the sea, fields, and forests. With his photographs, Janne Gröning wants to relay relaxing and therapeutic nature experiences to all who cannot or do not have the time to visit nature themselves. The views featured on the stamps were photographed in Iniö, the lsland of Keistiö, the shore of Lake Näsijärvi, Nauvo, and the Salo region.

Thank you Ella. 

Views of the Hong Kong island shore and skyline.

The Kowloon Waterfront offers splendid views of the Hong Kong island shore and skyline. This is the best place to experience the classic view of Hong Kong, and nobody on their first trip here should miss out on promenading along the waterfront. The best views are to be had at night when the lights of global capitalism provide a powerful spectacle. If you are not proficient with night-time photography, you can pay a modest sum for a professional to take your photograph against one of the world's most iconic backdrops. Start at the Star Ferry terminal, and begin your walk by inspecting the historic clock tower which is all that remains of a railway station that once took colonial officials back to London via the Trans-Siberian railway.

Thank you Hemant for all these lovely cards of HK.

Buildings on HK Island

Charming colonial-style mansions co-exist in harmony with high-rise buildings erected due to the limited territory. Architects of Hong Kong are guided by modern technical knowledge, and at the same time they follow Feng Shui tradition. Hence, many buildings have mirror tiles on their front side to prevent evil spirits from getting inside. The corners of buildings can be slanted or rounded — it is a Feng Shui symbol of friendship and protection from all negative influence. 

Thank you Hemant.

The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC)

The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) is one of the two major convention and exhibition venues in Hong Kong, along with Asia World-Expo. It is located in Wan Chai North, Hong Kong Island. Built along the Victoria Harbour, it is linked by covered walkways to nearby hotels and commercial buildings. The venue was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, in association with Wong & Ouyang (HK) Ltd. Larry Oltmanns led the design as the Design Partner with SOM.

The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre is not to be confused with the Hong Kong Exhibition Centre, which is another exhibition venue in Wan Chai North.

Thank you Hemant.

Victoria Harbour

Victoria Harbour is a natural landform harbour situated between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon in Hong Kong. The harbour's deep, sheltered waters and strategic location on the South China Sea were instrumental in Hong Kong's establishment as a British colony and its subsequent development as a trading centre. This card shows a photo of a star ferry crossing over to the Hong Kong Island.

Throughout its history, the harbour has seen numerous reclamation projects undertaken on both shores, many of which have caused controversy in recent years. Environmental concerns have been expressed about the effects of these expansions, in terms of water quality and loss of natural habitat. It has also been proposed that benefits of land reclamation may be less than the effects of decreased harbour width, affecting the number of vessels passing through the harbour. Nonetheless Victoria Harbour still retains its founding role as a port for thousands of international vessels each year.

Long famous for its spectacular views, the harbour is a major tourist attraction of Hong Kong. Lying in the middle of the territory's dense urban region, the harbour is the site of annual fireworks displays and its promenades are popular gathering places for tourists and residents.

Thank you Hemant.

Aberdeen's famous Jumbo Floating Restaurant

This wonderful card of Honk Kong shows the dazzling Aberdeen Harbour at night. One sees the fabulous and famous Aberdeen's famous Jumbo Floating Restaurant where one can feast on a nine-course Chinese dinner.

The floating restaurant features a generous variety of food, top-notch service and beautiful decorations. And you also get to feast on gorgeous views on this dazzling night scene.

Thank you Hemant for this lovely card.

Chinese Models in the '30s

Cheng from China sent me this card showing an advertising posterm with a picture of models in the '30s.

Agriculture and Forestry

This is the last in the series of four stamps and maxicards issued by Liechtenstein on the subject of Agriculture and Forestry. This card depicts Dairy Farming.

Thank you Maria for these nice maxicards.

Agriculture and Forestry

This maxicard is on Horticulture.

Agriculture & Forestry

And today I have for you a maxi card about lumber harvesting in the series of stamps and cards on Agriculture & Forestry.