Birds Down Under

Christmas Island - Christmas Set -

Australian/Singapore Joint Issue (Orchids)

AUSTRALIAN STAMPS Planet Ocean
1st day of issue

Just some of the wonderful stuff you find on http://ozbird.com

House for Sale Australia
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Australian/Singapore
Joint Issue
ORCHIDS

Christmas Is Stamps
ORCHIDS

History :Christmas Island is a tiny island in the Indian Ocean, 2620 kilometres northwest of Perth and 360 kilometres south of Java. From its central plateau the land drops in a series of terraces to steep cliffs. Over half the island is a national park, designed to protect its unique flora and fauna. The island was annexed by Britain in 1888 and has been mined for phosphate since the turn of the century. After a chequered history, including being occupied by the Japanese during World War II, on 1 October Christmas Island became an Australian Territory. The population numbers approximately 2000 people, half of whom are Chinese. Of the remainder 30% are European, 15% Malay and 5% of Indian or other descent.

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Christmas stamps

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Planet Ocean First day of Issue 1 October 1998

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PLANET OCEAN: Ocean covers more than 70% of the earth's surface, yet no more than two percent has been explored. Beneath its surface is a varied terrain the supports an extraordinary array of exotic marine creatures. Commemorating the United Nations International Year of the Ocean, the stamps highlight some of the fascinating and popular animals found in Australia's temperate waters. Weedy Seadragon (Phyllopteryz taeniolatus) is found only in southern Australian waters and there is growing concern for its protection. The Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) frolics in coastal waters, while the Manta Ray (Manta birostris) and White Pointer Shark (Carcharodon carcharias) are continental shelf dwellers. The Fiery Squid (Pyroteuthis margaritifera) lives in the dark waters of the deep sea, below 200 metres. The Southern Right Whale (Eubalaena australis) is an ocean traveller, but can be seen in shallow waters off the southern coast of Australia after its annual winter migration from Antarctic feeding grounds.

CREATURES OF THE NIGHT

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