Br. INDIAN OCEAN TERR.

60p this fascinating stamp is one of the only postally used issues I have ever acquired from these far-flung British territories in the Indian Ocean. This one was issued for the millenium, and shows a satellite map of Blenheim Reef.

FALKLAND IS.

35p American kestrel or Sparrowhawk is pictured here on a rocky cliff. This species is widespread throughout the western hemisphere, and is an agile hunter of small prey. The kestrel nests in cavities in rocky cliffs or precipices.

COMOROS

100 fr overprinted on 500 fr: this colorful issue shows Nutmeg fruits and the hard inner seed, and is part of an issue showing aromatic plants

MAYOTTE

3 fr: The Tsingoni Mosque, a 1998 issue, showing a clear Coconi town cancel. The town of Tsingoni in NW Mayotte, was the former capital, and is the center of Muslim life on the island.

Rusinga Is. (Kenya)

5 sh. Rusinga Island lies in Lake Victoria, and was the site of the 1948 Leakey expedition which yielded discovery of a complete skull of Proconsul africanus, a key ancestor of both humans and higher apes, dating 18 million years.

SRI LANKA

8rp: this 1992 issues shows a mural from Kottimbulwala, in the region of Balangoda. This mural lies in a rock temple cave with three shrine rooms, where the ceilings and walls are covered by paintings. This delicate scene shows plant cultivation and harvesting.

PITCAIRN Is.

50c this issue shows the rugged coast around Bounty Bay and the appropriately named "Hill of Difficulty" that makes this island so inaccessible to ship landings

ST. HELENA

18p Java Sparrow: this seed-eating species is not native to St. Helena (being originally from Indonesia) but is a popular cage bird worldwide, so could well be introduced. The rugged, stark landscape of St. Helena is shown in the background.

TRISTAN da CUNHA / Nightingale Island

50p Profile of Nightingale Island, one of the most remote of the Tristan da Cunha group, named for British Captain Gamaliel Nightingale. Interesting details on these islands can be found at: www.tristandc.com/nightingale

TONGA

P1: This lovely stamp shows a sunset scene and boats off the island of Vava'u

VANUATU

Masks and Art: this series shows some of the stunning objets d'art from the varied cultures of Vanuatu's islands. 65v shows a mask from North Ambrym. 85v displays a mask from Uripiv Is. / Malakula and 95v shows two wooden carvings, from Pentecost and the Vao Islands.

VANUATU

25v This issue shows a detailed map of most of the islands in the Vanuatu chain, as well as some of the commercial fish such as the Ruby Snapper (lower left)

VANUATU

75v Anniv. of Independence: Vanuatru is one of the newest island countries in existence, having gained independence in 1980; it was formerly known as the New Hebrides

VANUATU

35v Volcanic Eruptions: many of the islands of this archipelago are volcanic in origin, and some have sported spectacular eruptions in recent years

MADAGASCAR

300 Ar: Postal services for all with a design incorporating various national flags, a 2009 issue possibly linked to the 24th UPU Congress held in Nairobi, Kenya

PALAU

1c Gray-backed White-eye

41c Hypolimnas butterfly

Cancelled in Koror, the capital.

COOK IS.

10c Blue Lorikeet (Vini peruviana): this species is native to mixed lowland forest in the Society, Tuamotu and Cook Is. and is critically endangered and has been extirpated on many islands by predatory rats introduced by man or shipping activities.

MARQUESAS (FR. POLYNESIA)

90 fr: this stunning 2001 nature issue shows the plunging terrain and lush vegetation of Hakaui Valley on Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas Islands, part of French Polynesia

NETH. ANTILLES

85c, 1 fl: these stamps were issued as a se-tenant design of birds of various denominations. The two pictured show the golden oriole and the yellow fronted Amazon parrot, two local species. The label images show two old world species: the European bee-eater and an African Starling, neither of which is native to the islands.

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