Nature Postage Celebrates Animals

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Each species is a masterpiece, a creation assembled with extreme care and genius.

Edward O. Wilson

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All of the stamps here are actual USPS stamps. Some have been reduced in size to save space. For a larger view and to read more about them, just click on the thumbnail photo. We are constantly adding new designs so visit our Zazzle Gallery to see more.

A butterfly is an insect of the order Lepidoptera. Like all Lepidoptera, butterflies are notable for their unusual life cycle with a larval caterpillar stage, an inactive pupal stage, and a spectacular metamorphosis into a familiar and colourful winged adult form. Most species are day-flying so they regularly attract attention. The diverse patterns formed by their brightly colored wings and their erratic yet graceful flight have made butterfly watching a fairly popular hobby.

Butterflies comprise the true butterflies (superfamily Papilionoidea), the skippers (Superfamily Hesperioidea) and the moth-butterflies (Superfamily Hedyloidea). Butterflies exhibit polymorphism, mimicry and aposematism. Some are known to migrate over large distances. Some butterflies have evolved symbiotic and parasitic relationships with social insects such as ants. Butterflies are important economically as one of the major agents of pollination. In addition, a number of species are pests, because they can damage domestic crops and trees. (excerpt from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Many beautiful Butterflies inhabit the Pine-Land Savannahs and forests of Southeastern Louisiana. The abundant wildflowers attract the adult butterflies, but the larval host plants are what sustain butterflies. Adult butterflies lay eggs on certain plants and the larvae that hatch out can survive on only that kind of plant. The caterpillar eats and grows and sheds its skin many times until it finally grows large enough to form a chrysalis. The caterpillar changes while inside the chrysalis and emerges as a beautiful butterfly and soon begins the cycle again by mating and finding the right host plant on which to lay its eggs.

Insects (Class Insecta) are a major group of arthropods and the most diverse group of animals on the Earth, with over a million described species-more than half of all known living organisms[1][2]-with estimates of undescribed species as high as 30 million, thus potentially representing over 90% of the differing life forms on the planet.[3] Insects may be found in nearly all environments on the planet, although only a small number of species occur in the oceans, a habitat dominated by the other arthropod group of crustaceans. (excerpt from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Insects are extremely important to the cycle of life here on earth. They are the tillers of the soil, the pollinators and they provide food for many other creatures. Numerous insects are a sign of a healthy ecosystem.

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are the only type of hummingbird that breeds in Southeastern Louisiana and the Eastern U.S. The males have bright red throats and emerald green backs. The females are larger than the male, have white throats and are more plain in appearance so they can blend in with their surroundings when nesting. Females take sole responsibility for nest building, brooding and feeding the young. Immature birds look like the females, except some young males will have a few red gorget feathers or a "5 o'clock shadow" on their throat. Males stake out a prime flower or feeder territory and spend the spring and summer defending it. In SE U.S., the males begin to gather around the 4th of July to prepare for their trip south, across the Gulf of Mexico, to their wintering grounds. The females and young start back a few weeks later. Each year in spring, the males arrive back in Lousiana around March 1st. The females return around March 15.

Birds (class Aves) are bipedal, endothermic (warm-blooded), vertebrate animals that lay eggs. There are around 10,000 living species, making them the most numerous tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Birds range in size from the 5 cm (2 in) Bee Hummingbird to the 2.7 m (9 ft) Ostrich. The fossil record indicates that birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs during the Jurassic period, around 150-200 Ma (million years ago), and the earliest known bird is the Late Jurassic Archaeopteryx, c 155-150 Ma. Most paleontologists regard birds as the only clade of dinosaurs that survived the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event approximately 65.5 Ma.

Modern birds are characterised by feathers, a beak with no teeth, the laying of hard-shelled eggs, a high metabolic rate, a four-chambered heart, and a lightweight but strong skeleton. All birds have forelimbs modified as wings and most can fly, with some exceptions including ratites, penguins, and a number of diverse endemic island species. Birds also have unique digestive and respiratory systems that are highly adapted for flight. Some birds, especially corvids and parrots, are among the most intelligent animal species; a number of bird species have been observed manufacturing and using tools, and many social species exhibit cultural transmission of knowledge across generations. (excerpt from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Birds in Southeastern Louisiana

Many of the birds in this section nest in cavities, either natural ones in trees or man made boxes and houses. Our nest box trail hosts all but the Red-breasted Nuthatch, which is an unusual winter visitor to the South. The Brown-headed Nuthatch nests in cavities in our area. The cavity nesting birds on the stamps are: Eastern Bluebird (3), Carolina Chickadee, Prothonotary Warbler (2), Carolina Wren and Babies, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Screech Owl.

The Birds on the following Postage Stamps are: Male Northern Cardinal (2), Fledgling Baby Cardinal, Female Northern Cardinal, Female Northern Cardinal on nest, Mourning Dove, Mourning Dove on nest, American Robin, Blue Jay Bath and Red-shouldered Hawk.

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Our task must be to free ourselves... by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty.

Albert Einstein

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Mammals
Mammals (class Mammalia) are a class of vertebrate animals characterized by the presence of sweat glands, including sweat glands modified for milk production, hair, three middle ear bones used in hearing, and a neocortex region in the brain.

All mammals other than the monotremes give birth to live young instead of laying eggs. Most mammals also possess specialized teeth, and the largest group of mammals, the placentals, use a placenta during gestation. The mammalian brain regulates endothermic and circulatory systems, including a four-chambered heart. (excerpt from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Wild Animals
Flying Squirrels and Raccoons are two of the wild mammals that have adapted well to coexist with humans. Flying squirrels live in several of the nest boxes on our nest box trail. They are endearing little nocturnal creatures with their bright, inquisitive eyes. They have flaps of skin under their arms that allow them to glide some distance from tree to tree.

Raccoons always seem to be doing something funny and baby raccoons are adorable to look at. They, too, are nocturnal animals, but will come out in daylight for a free meal. They have a schedule of rounds that they make each night and morning and soon learn where the best eats are. Raccoons can become too friendly by coming into houses. They are very intelligent and it doesn't take them long to figure out how things work.

Rescued Pets
We have been rescuing pets for years and urge anyone who wants to share their life with an animal, to go to your local animal shelter. We think rescued pets make the best pets. They seem to know that you saved them and are grateful. All of the cats and dogs featured in these stamps were rescued by us.

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The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.

Mohandas Gandhi

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From the classical standpoint, reptiles included all the amniotes except birds and mammals. Thus reptiles were defined as the set of animals that includes crocodiles, alligators, tuatara, lizards, snakes, amphisbaenians and turtles, grouped together as the class Reptilia (Latin repere, "to creep"). This is still the usual definition of the term. However, in recent years, many taxonomists have begun to insist that taxa should be monophyletic, that is, groups should include all descendants of a particular form. (excerpt from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

However they are classified, Reptiles and Amphibians are some of the most beneficial creatures in the animal kingdom. They help humans by eating rodents, harmful insects and, in the case of the King Snake, poisonous snakes. Many have beautiful coloring and are mild mannered and docile. Reptiles and Amphibians certainly deserve higher regard than most humans give them.

We show our love of animals during the holidays, too.

Valentine's Day - Who wouldn't love those faces?



Mardi Gras - Let the good times roll!



Easter and spring brings forth new life.




Christmas - Peace on Earth to all of God's Creatures.

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Any glimpse into the life of an animal quickens our own and makes it so much the larger and better in every way.

John Muir

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