Romfilatelia issued new postage stamps on 28 June, entitled Nocturnal birds of prey, illustrating 4 different species of owls: the Little owl, the Long-eared owl, the Uralowl, and the Great grey owl.
The owls are impressive birds to which numerous myths, legends, stories or superstitions have been associated ever since antiquity. In many cultures from Africa,America, Europe or the Middle East there are beliefs according to which the presence of owls would predict diseases and death. On the other hand, in Hinduism, the owl is associated to the goddess Lakshmi, a divinity of prosperity, luck, fertility and generosity, while the old Greeks used to associate the owl to wisdom, considering it to be the bird of Athena, the goddess of wisdom.
Their predominantly nocturnal activity, the wild territories where they live, their dark plumage, offering them a very good camouflage, and their silent flight help them hide from the human sight, being rarely seen and only after sunset. Their specific song arouses fear just like their sight, their eyes being very expressive and acute. However, owls are extremely useful birds as their basic food consists of rodents, which destroy the cultures and carry many dangerous diseases for the human being. Nocturnal birds of prey, elite predators in the ecosystems where they live, the owls have a series of specific characteristics such as a sharp hearing, a silent flight and very strong claws.
Date of Issue : 28 June 2013
The Little owl (Athene noctua)
Also known as Athene noctua, it is a small bird whose length measures between 23 and 27 cm. It may be seen in Central and Western Europe. It mainly lives in rocky areas and localities, often finding shelter in abandoned buildings or in the attics of household outbuildings. It feeds on rodents to which we may add big insects, birds, small snakes and lizards that it hunts at night. The Romanian popular name of the little owl comes from the sounds produced at a high tonality. Their eyes are very expressive and large as compared to the size of their body and have an intense yellow colour.
The Long-eared owl (Asio otus)
This is a bird of prey of medium size, its body measures between 30 and 40 cm and it may be seen in North America, Eurasia andNorthern Africa. It lives on alpine meadows covered with juniper, in coniferae and leaf woods, coming down to agricultural cultures, in orchards and urban parks. It is a nocturnal bird of prey that hunts small animals, mainly rodents. The name of this bird derives from the tufts of feathers on its head resembling some ears. Depending on the environment, the situation or its potential adversaries, the long-eared owl may change its look by adapting its position and colour for camouflage.
The Ural owl (Strix uralensis)
As its name suggests, this is a big owl with its body measuring about 60 cm, which may be seen from Western Europe up to Correa and Japan. It lives in thick forests on hills and mountains preferring the coniferae woods, and it has the qualities of a very good night hunter feeding on birds and small mammals. The particularity of the species is represented by the two grey facial disks around the eyes, which are luminous, clean and spotless.
The Great grey owl (Strix nebulosa)
This is a big owl that measures between 65-70 cm and lives in Northern Europe (Poland, Finland and Sweden) reaching as far as Siberia and Northern America,Canada and Alaska, in thick coniferae forests. It migrates not depending on season, but depending on the presence of food, which mainly consists of water rats and small birds and animals. It hunts at nightfall and night, only occasionally during the day. Its plumage gives it a very good camouflage and it is hard to be seen on the tree trunks. Its favourite hunting grounds are fields, swamps and glades.
Club News
New stamp from India
Stamp on Delhi Gymkhana Club
The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee released a Commemorative Postage Stamp and Centenary Souvenir to mark the 100th Anniversary of the establishment of the Delhi Gymkhana Club on 3rd July 2013.
Forthcoming Issues from India Post
24. DELHI GYMKHANA CLUB 03.07.2013
25. MUSICIANS 1. PT. MALLIKARJUN MANSUR 2. KUMAR GANDHARVA 3. GANGUBAI HANGAL 4. D K PATTAMAL 5. ALI AKBAR KHAN 6. BHIMSEN JOSHI 7. PT. RAVISHANKAR 8. USTAD VILAYAT KHAN July 2013
26. KERALA LEGISLATURE 22.08.2013
27.BOATS OF INDIA (SET OF STAMPS) August 2013
28.WILD FLOWERS August 2013
29. MEANS OF TRANSPORT THROUGH THE AGES (SET OF STAMPS) August 2013
30.LALA JAGAT NARAIN 09.09.2013
31. GURAJADA APPA RAO 21.09.2013
32. RAJ BAHADUR 22.09.2013
33.PRATAP NARAYAN MISHRA 24.09.2013
34.GOLDEN JUBILEE OF BHAKRA DAM 22.10.2013
35.RUCHI RAM SAHNI 24.10.2013
36.175 YEARS OF TIMES OF INDIA October 2013
37.PHILATELY DAY October 2013
38.BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL & COLLEGE, ALLAHABAD 05.11.2013
39.75 YEARS OF BHARATIYA VIDYA BHAVAN 07.11.2013
40.CHILDREN’S DAY 14.11.2013
41. RAILWAY WORKSHOPS AT KANCHRAPARA & JAMALPUR (SET OF STAMPS) 25.11.2013
- Sreejesh Krishnan – Trivandrum
RPSL Regional Meeting
Regional meeting of RPSL was held at New Delhi on 29 June 2013.The meeting was a great success as 11 new members have applied for membership.Meeting was started with new member's enrollment and introduction where Markand Dave honored and welcome Mr. Anils Suri by offering him the RPSL badge. A tribute was given to Mr. Jeffrey Brown on his sudden death, Doyen of Indian AeroPhilately . Mr Somani brought an excellent example of QV - East India used from Malcca, cancelled with B-109 , an unrecorded example in SG which was an exceptional item enjoyed by the members very well. Mr.Harsh Gupta's 1929 Airmail cover - Redirected more than 7 times was again a great pleasure for members- Mr.Anil Suri's Gold Medal winning collection of Indian states - Cochin was also on display.Mr.Markand Dave's presentation sheets of Danish Sett in India was very much appreciated . He also displayed his articles on 1854 India Lithograph stamps.
14th July, The Last Day of Indian Telegram
An idea of exchange of telegram message by RPSL members in India was proposed by Markand Dave and members have happily accepted it , One short message will be sent by Markand Dave to all members and all members in India have been requested to send one short message to Markand Dave, A composition of all last day messages will be lovingly donated to RPSL society by Indian - RPSL Members.
: Markand Dave – Nadiad (Gujarat)
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