COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE

Tourism: Birds

Issue Date: August 2006







The birds depicted in this issue represent the broad spectrum of bird life for which the Falkland Islands has become internationally famous. Four of the species depicted are commonly found in season in the Islands while the Wandering Albatross (60p) is found only in offshore waters on the fishing grounds where it visits on its constant search for food in pelagic waters.

The images of the four other birds; the Black-browed Albatross (FDC design) landing, the Gentoo Penguin chicks (25p) huddling together for warmth, the King Cormorant (25p) (also known as the Imperial Shag) landing, and the King Penguin (60p) stretching, were all captured in late summer on Saunders Island.

On Saunders Island, where birdlife is so prolific, one need only find the desired subject or location and be patient as the photographer did with the landing albatross. He watched the area for some time and recognized that spot as a landing zone and the bird's did the rest. The same technique was used with the Cormorant and King Penguin photos. The Wandering Albatross was photographed some 85 miles offshore on the Toothfish fishing grounds. The photograph was made in the water, snorkelling with the birds, possibly the first time a photographer has photographed the birds this way.

The Falkland Islands, once merely a remote out of the way, wind-swept archipelago in the South Atlantic, known to have more sheep than human inhabitants, have grown to become a mecca for international birding. People from all over the world visit, touring the islands to view and enjoy the bird life, which includes 80% of the world's Black-browed Albatross.

The photographer, Paul Sutherland, is an award winning independent photographer living in Princeton, New Jersey, USA. His work is published in books, magazines, and calendars and other print media all over the world while his fine art prints are found in both private and corporate collections. You can find out more about the photographer at www.sutherlandimages.com .


Technical details:-
Photographs © 2006 Paul Sutherland Photography
Printer Joh Enschedé Security Print
Process Enschedé Special Fine Stochastic Lithography
Perforation 14 per 2cms
Stamp size 28.45 x 42.58mm
Sheet Layout 50 (2x25)
Release date 30th August 2006
Production Co-ordination: Creative Direction (Worldwide) Ltd



Copyright: FI Philatelic Bureau Created and Maintained by: Cyberpoint Limited