NEW CALEDONIA

70fr this issue shows an extinct megatoothed shark from the prehistoric fossil record, that once roamed the seas between 25 and 1.5 million years ago

COOK IS.

20c Pacific Mini Games 2009: Shotput and Discus

BAHAMAS

15c Junkanoo Festival, issued 2004. This issue shows the colors and pageantry of the local carnival fete celebrated in the Bahamas, on Boxing Day (Dec. 26th) every year.

NEVIS

40c: this stunning orchids issue was issued for Christmas 1990 and shows a species from the genus Epidendrum, native to South American and the southern Caribbean islands, and known for its long-lasting flowers.

TRINIDAD and TOBAGO

2010 International Biodiversity Year:

This amazing set was issued just days ago, and I will describe individual stamps in coming weeks

TRINIDAD and TOBAGO

2010 International Biodiversity Year Sheet:

This set was issued just 5 days ago, and I will post each stamp individually in coming weeks.

TRINIDAD and TOBAGO

$2.25 Symbols of Trinidad and Tobago: national flag and steel pans band

ST. LUCIA

10c Reef Scene with Longspine Squirrelfish. One of some 80 species of squirrelfish, this nocturnal species feeds on open Caribbean reefs at night.

TRINIDAD and TOBAGO

$1, $5: Beaches of the islands. $1 shows Pirates Bay, near Charlotteville in the extreme east of Tobago, and $5 shows a scene along the rocky coast near Toco, in far NE Trinidad

AITUTAKI (Cook Is.)

95c this lovely issue commemorates the 200th anniv. of the discovery of Aitutaki by William Bligh in 1789; on the stamp a local outrigger is being rowed toward the Bounty, anchored offshore

CAPE VERDE

60p this 2003 issue shows the Ceiba tree (known as pollao locally), a notable and widespread species known for its height, girth and shade properties

KIRIBATI

12c, 30c: this issue shows scenes of villagers harvesting coconuts and removing copra for export; this crop is among the most important economic activity in these low-lying islands

NIUE

20c, 35c, 40c, 50c Traditional Activities: this 1976 set shows local activities typical to the island such as canoe fishing, harvesting crops and collecting shellfish. This island territory is part of New Zealand and has a population of just 1,500.

MARSHALL IS.

10c, 60c, $1: Hibiscus varieties are depicted on this 2006 flora issue, sporting names such as Sundae, Fiesta and Norman Lee. The denominations reflect usage of the US dollar as this island country's currency.

TUVALU

50c, 60c: Beach flora, an interesting issue that shows hardy plants able to survive the arid, sandy soils of Pacific beaches

INDONESIA

5000 rp: Javan Kingfisher and river with aquatic vegetation. Endemic to Indonesia, this species has a very large range across the archipelago, though it is believed to be in decline due to rampant deforestation and habitat conversion on several islands.

COCOS (Keeling) Is.

50c Coral reef and spectacularly-colored fish, probably a wrasse

FALKLANDS

9p: a stunning design showing a Kelp Gull at Sunrise, commemorating the new millenium (2000)

LORD HOWE IS.

$1 Lord Howe Island: aerial view of this Australian territory, home of an endemic rail species, shown by stylized images in the upper margin of this oversized stamp issue

MADAGASCAR

500 fr: the Potto, a curious primate that inhabits the canopies of tropical African forests, never descending to the ground. In anglophone parts of Africa, this animal is known as the "softly-softly," a reference to its habit of moving very cautiously and slowly through the treetops in search of fruit and occasional insects.

MICRONESIA

78c Square-spot Fairy Basslet, from the Reef Fish issue of 1995. This species has a wide distribution from the Ryukyus to New Caledonia and east as far as Samoa in the tropical Pacific

MICRONESIA

$3 The aptly named Flame Angelfish is found in the Pacific from the Line islands to the Cook Is. and as far as Hawaiian waters. This species breeds well in captivity and is a favority of the aquarium trade. Issued as a high value of the Reef fish set of 1995

TAIWAN

T$20: an oversized reproduction of a magnificent historical painting of a peacock in full display, with metallic colors

Sao Tome & Principe

Db 7000 a luminous view of a sailing vessel, probably historical, graces this unmarked stamp issued in 2003