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| Mandarinka |
The adult male Mandarin duck is a striking and unmistakable bird. It has a red bill, large white crescent above the eye and reddish face and "whiskers". The adult female, on the background, is similar to female Wood duck.
In traditional Chinese culture, Mandarin Ducks represent a life-time couple and are regarded as a symbol of conjugal affection and fidelity. The species was once widespread in eastern Asia, but nowadays the population has reduced in Eastern Russia and in China to below 1,000 pairs in each country.
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| Victory weapon (left and centre) & the Hare (right) |
Military stamps commemorating the 65th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, " Victory weapon" (Оружие победы): the BT-7M tank (left) issued in 2010 and the GAZ-67B 4x4 (right) from 2012.
The Hare stamp from Russian Fairy Tales series on the far right.
Postcard from: Moscow, Russia.
Received: May 2012.
Language: English.
Envelope: no.
Stamps: two Victory Weapon vehicles (BT-7M & GA3-67B) and one 0.10R The Hare.
Thank you very much, Maria!
{RU-948378}
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| Archs from the Alhambra and Albayzín |
Alhambra is a palace and fortress complex located in
Granada, Spain, constructed during the mid 14th century. Stylistic elements used include the Calliphal horseshoe arch, the Almohad sebka (a grid of rhombuses), the Almoravid palm, and unique combinations of them, as well as innovations such as stilted arches and muqarnas (stalactite ceiling decorations).
Through the arches of the Alhambra, on the other side of the Darro river, you can see the houses of the disctrict of
Albayzín.
Postcard from: Granada, Spain.
Received: November 2003.
Language: Spanish.
Envelope: no.
Stamps: one 0.53€
Basic Series S.M. El Rey.
¡Muchas gracias,
Toni!
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| Alhambra and Sierra Nevada |
From the
Albayzín, on a hill facing the Alhambra, you can see spectactular views of the Alhambra with
Sierra Nevada (literally
snowy range) on the background. Alhambra,
the red one, took its name from the colour of the bricks bathed in the sunset light.
Postcard from: Valdepeñas de Jaén, Jaén, Spain
Received: June 2012.
Language: Spanish.
Envelope: no.
Stamps: one 0.36€
Todos con Lorca, Palacio de Guevara.
¡Muchísimas gracias,
Juan!
Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzín were declared UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.
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| Ice scene with wood gatherers |
This is the kind of painting I would love to had hanging on my walls. The Romantic style was, in my opinion, the best of all. I loved receiving this postcard of
IJsgezicht met houtsprokkelaars (Ice Scene with Wood Gatherers) by
Andreas Schelfhout, 1849. I can't imagine how would I feel the moment someone sends me a postcard of any of
Friedrich's works and I open my letterbox to find it. Especially if it's
The Sea of Ice, which this card reminded me of. Will I die of happiness?
On the back of the card, this gorgeous stamp of the Skinny Bridge over the Amstel river in Amsterdam. Looks kinda melancholic with those lights and I think it matches the card Romantic's air nicely. I am glad to know the Netherlands have beautiful stamps besides the postcrossing commemoratives, which are proving hard to get.
Postcard from: Almelo, the Netherlands.
Received: May 2012.
Language: English.
Envelope: no.
Stamps: one Europa issued in 2012,
Magere Brug.
Thank you very much, Patricia!
{NL-1209579}
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| Australia and Europe |
Is Europe smaller than I thought or is Australia bigger? Along with the comparation map (which I love!) we have the
saltwater crocodile, found in the coastal areas of Northern Australia; the
sugar glider possum and a
kangaroo doe with joey in her pouch.
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| Disney princess - Aurora from the Sleeping Beauty |
On the flip side, three stamps from the
Aurora souvenir stamp sheet! Sleeping Beauty princess Aurora is featured on the tabs between the stamps. And they weren't cancelled nor damaged by the postmark. Yay! Made my day! ♥
Postcard from: Telopea, New South Wales, Australia.
Received: May 2012.
Language: English.
Envelope: no.
Stamps: three 60c Floral Festival everlasting stamps with Disney princess Aurora in the tab.
Thank you very much, Telopea!
{AU-201618}
