Great Britain Swimmers on Sunday Stamps

As I have been 'missing' for quite a while I guess it is time for me to share a dip with an engaging British bird to be seen on many of our rivers

Dipper - 16 Jan 1980

Dippers are so-called because of their bobbing and dipping movements, They have the ability to dive and swim under water where they catch, among other things, small fish to eat.

However a fish I was always proud, as a boy, to catch when fishing would have been too large for the dipper - but the larger ones would have made a meal for me.

Perch - 26 Jan 1983

I suspect that the perch would also have made a meal for this mammal that used to frequent the rivers which ran through and near the village where I spent my youth.

Otter - 5 Oct 1977

I'm ashamed to say back then they were hunted by packs of otter hounds - although I never saw any being caught.

For more swimmers and to have a whale of a time visit the links at Sunday Stamps.

Sunday Stamps D4 USA, Great Britain

The 200th anniversary of the British assault on Fort Duquesne, held by the French, was commemorated  in 1958.

USA - 25 November 1958

The British were led by Brigadier General John Forbes. Among his troops was a contingent of Virginians under the command of Colonel George Washington who later became one of the founders of the USA, and President of course. 

The French abandoned the fort which was subsequently rebuilt as Fort Pitt (named after the British Prime Minister at the time.) Now it is the location of the city of Pittsburgh. PA.

With pride and without prejudice my second 'D' is a character from Jane Austen.

Great Britain - 22 October 1975
Mr Darcy

No damp shirt there for him as depicted on TV

And much drier here - 

Great Britain

This was from a set of 4 (issued on 9 March) depicting Geographical Regions. I have been unable to find the location of the desert on the stamp. That year all but 15 of the countries in the Commonwealth issued stamps for Commonwealth Day.

Finally there is a bird that would not be happy in the desert - 

Great Britain - 16 January 1980

It would have been much happier in that lake where Mr Darcy got his shirt so wet.

You can dip into other 'D' related posts at Sunday-stamps-d.

Birds on Sunday Stamps

I'm pleased to be able to rejoin Viridian's Sunday Stamps now I am back in the UK. This week's theme of  'Birds' has given me a problem as I have over 50 bird stamps.

In 1966 Great Britain issued a set of four stamps of which I can present just two, I'm missing the blackbird and the robin.

Black-headed Gull & Blue Tit (1966)

Later issues included waterbirds - again I have two of these.

Dipper & Puffin

 The puffin stamp was issued to commemorate the centenary of the Royal Society for Protection of Birds. The puffin colonies in the UK are threatened by the reduction in availability of sandeels, their staple food.

Another bird whose numbers are decreasing as a result of modern farming methods is shown on my next stamp.

Lapwing (also known as the peewit)

Becaause I've been on holiday in the USA I ought to show some of their stamps. The first one below is a favourite of mine.

Pelican

I have still to research the details about the Pelican Island refuge.

Blue Jay & Ring-necked Pheasant

Finally for this week I must include the stamp commemorating a famous man who painted birds, John James Audubon (1785-1851).

 

You may read all about him and the Audubon Society at John James Audubon You can also follow the Audubon Society on Facebook if you wish.

For more bird stamps visit Viridian's sunday-stamps-27