narcissists?

some spring narcissi from Canada, Germany and China

a diving duck from Poland called a netta rufina

and a nightingale, who may have the most beautiful and varied song

water

Sometimes it is enough just to get a bird's eye view of the water

other times, you want to be right in it

or maybe you'd like to live surrounded by water

great wall

 The Ten-Thousand Mile Long Wall*

Other names used in Chinese medieval records are 'ramparts', 'frontiers', 'barriers', 'fortresses', 'border wall'.

Built between the 3rd century B.C.  and 17th century A.D. -  so it took more than 2,000 years - as a series of fortifications.  Which makes me wonder if anyone ever thought of the 'historical' significance of what they were building and if it might last anywhere as long as it has.  Or they may have been too concerned with surviving the ordeal.

*It is actually more than 13,000 miles 

activities

There are plenty of stamps featuring men but I wanted to find some who were doing things, rather than sitting in a portrait, or posing.  In this case, we have some anonymous men racing, plowing, and planting.

fading

Although this is from China, it seems to be an image of Singapore (I recognize The Merlion).  Turns out it's a joint issue.  I do like the watercolour effect.

And, what looks like a foggy view of Amsterdam beyond the Magere (Skinny) Bridge

tiger family

 artist: Feng Dazhong

 

 

 

 

CATURDAY

lost in translation

 

I'm not really sure what kind of fruit this is (mango?), though I suspect the Chinese script in the corner gives a clue (if I could read Chinese)

 

This one from Belarus was also tricky.  Turns out it is a 'common raccoon dog' which is not at all a raccoon.  Or a dog.  It is a canid that is closely related to a fox. They are widespread in eastern Europe and Asia.

 

The Moravian Museum is easily translatable.  Okay, I had to google translate 'zemske' (regional)

and, this is obviously the Bavarian Forest, in full winter  splendour

 

some foreign languages for Sunday Stamps

blue and red

Peonies on a plate from Japan

 

Peonies, and Chrysanthemums, on a Chinese satin jacket (Qing Dynasty)

embroidery from Ukraine

folk dolls from Ukraine

some crafts and textiles for our lsdy art theme of Thursday Postcard Hunt

numbers

 

Dahlias are one of the flowers that follow the fibonacci sequence*

as do the feathers on a peacock 

and let's not forget 

pineapples and pine cones

some patterns for Sunday Stamps

*fibonacci sequence - numbers starting with zero and one, is a steadily increasing series where each number is equal to the sum of the preceding two numbers

names and medals

 

Not many Chinese stamps have any English on them, but this one clearly states the [proud?] anniversary!

China is competing in 33 events to add to their 635 medal count of their 12th summer games.  That Communist Party has invested well in their athletes (though how humanely, is up for debate).

Taiwan, or Chinese Taipei, as it is known at the Games, will be competing in 15 events to add to their 36 medal count. None will involve jellyfish.  This one with the long, long tentacles, is a Lion's Mane. Taiwan does not get to compete under their own name or their own flag.

Albania is one of only five European countries who have never medalled at the Olympics.  This bellflower is deceptively delicate looking - it is a highly invasive plant where I live.  Very pretty though.  This summer they will have 5 competitors for wrestling, shooting, and athletics.  They never use their own Albanian name of Shqiperia for their country.

from one extreme to another in the eastern hemisphere for Sunday Stamps

on the water

 

from China

and a ferry from Hong Kong

or, for something a little more away from it all, a boat in cottage country

or, even more bucolic, an early sunrise in a canoe

falling water

 

Lushan National Park

cloisonne

 

Cloisonne enamelware has been used since ancient times. It involves attaching thin metal strips (often gold or copper) on a metal object creating compartments where a coloured enamel powder made into a paste is added and then fired in a kiln.

some fine blue enamelware for Sunday Stamps

heavenly

The China Palace Museum (2015)

the Gate of Heavenly Purity

Five different images of the sun that we don't always see. from 2000.

for Sunday Atamps - se-tenant, selvage

blue

 

Ballet slippers with a swan reflection for the 50th anniversary of Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, (Festival Hall) where one can enjoy  opera, ballet, and classical music.

A footed pot from China

perhaps a teapot?

For Sunday Stamps - the colour blue

water

Conservation of water (2002) and a special stamp use for greeting cards (2013).  Bamboo is especially good at conserving water. Once it is established it can get all the water it needs from the ground and can help with soil erosion.

For more water, here is one from the Beautiful China series (2013) showing Xing Hua Duo Tian Agrosystem and the islands of rapeseed flowers (for canola oil). This is a unique land water use where raised cultivated fields surrounded by irrigation canals are made from the sludge. 

and, because this is apple season...

for Sunday Stamps - Asia

arts and crafts

For wood lovers, this Yoruba man is carving a calabash, an essential multi use bowl for storing and carrying water and food. Oyo is a state in south western Nigeria.
 

Or maybe you'd prefer something less useful but that would look really nice displayed on a glass shelf like this delicate early 15th C porcelain container from China.

 

For Sunday Stamps - arts and crafts

go

 

The city of Guangzhou has the nickname of "goat city", which explains the goats as mascots for the 2010 Asian Games. This stamp represents Weiqi - or Go - a strategy board game that has been played for thousands of years. One of the five goat mascots is leaping over the board of 'stones' and the city of Guangzhou. (I admit that I did not realize these were goats)

This poor Moomin doesn't look too steady, or graceful, on his tiny feet.

 

for Sunday Stamps - motion

panda

from China, a panda