Phoenix

Covering almost 2000 sq miles, Phoenix is easily the largest metropolis in the Southwest. At first blush, it can feel like a limitless sprawl, incorporating dozens of bedroom communities, including Scottsdale, Mesa and Tempe. Reveling in more than 300 days of sunshine a year, Phoenix is searing hot in summer – think above 110°F (43°C) – but balmy days prevail in winter.

Building on its size, Phoenix has a lot to offer. There are major museums, top-notch professional sports, a cornucopia of excellent restaurants, nonstop nightlife, superlative shopping and – oddly for a desert – world-class golf (where do they get that water?). The city is also a major transportation hub, and is often used as a jumping-off point for further-flung adventures. [source: lonelyplanet]

Thank you very much Irma!

Common loon & Ruffed grouse

The stamps Dulcey uses are always great, as you can see here...

Named for their clumsy, awkward appearance when walking on land, common loons are migratory birds which breed in forested lakes and large ponds in northern North America and parts of Greenland and Iceland. They winter all along North America’s Pacific and Atlantic coasts as well as in Europe and Iceland.

Their unusual cries, which vary from wails to tremolos to yodels, are distinct to individuals and can be heard at great distances. Loon cries are most prevalent during breeding season as pairs aggressively defend their territories.

Loons have striking red eyes, black heads and necks, and white striping, checkering, and spotting on their backs. They grow up to three feet (91 centimeters) in length and weigh up to 12 pounds (5 kilograms), feeding largely on fish and invertebrates.

Their predators are diverse and can strike from all directions as they include birds like gulls, ravens, and crows, fish such as pike, and land mammals such as raccoons, weasels, and skunks.

They nest lakeside and incubate their eggs for 27 to 30 days. Hatchlings leave the nest on their first day and are able to fly in about 11 weeks.

There are many Native American legends about common loons. And to this day the Inuit legally hunt over 4,500 a year for subsistence. Loon populations are currently stable, but a number of threats loom, including human encroachment and pollution. [source: NationalGeographic.com]

...and here!

The ruffed grouse is a bird (Class: Aves) related to chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, etc. (Order: Galliformes). It is grouped with other grouse and ptarmigan in its own family (Family: Tetraonidae). Both its scientific names come from Latin.

Adult ruffed grouse are about the size of a bantam chicken, weighing around 500-600 gm and standing about 25-30 cm tall. Their wing span is about 50 cm, from tip to tip. Males tend to be a little larger than females with longer tail feathers, but the sexes are hard to tell apart at a glance. Their coloration will vary slightly with the seasons, being somewhat lighter in winter than in summer.

Ruffed grouse are found throughout Manitoba, except in the extreme north. But they are a forest bird and are restricted to areas that have deciduous (hardwood) forests. They are most common in the aspen dominated mixed woodlands of central Manitoba. And they are thought to do better in young or regenerating forests, which have thick shrub layers. This is a species that may be benefiting from human activities such as logging that removes mature coniferous forests, which are often replaced quickly with aspens and other short-lived deciduous tree species.

The ruffed grouse is a solitary, ground-dwelling bird, but is nimble and adept at clambering around in the tops of shrubs or trees, especially in winter when buds are a primary food. They seldom fly far, preferring to walk or even run away from danger. Flight is used as a last ditch effort to avoid predators. Grouse are active during the day (diurnal) and roost for the night on low tree branches (2-3 m high) under good cover, preferring the protection of spruce or fir trees if they are around. [source: naturenorth.com]

Thank you very much Dulcey!

Great Horned Owl

This beautiful owl postcard in combination with such pretty bird stamps really made my day!

The great horned owl is the most common owl of the Americas, easily recognizable because of the feather tufts on its head. These "plumicorns" resemble horns or, to some, catlike ears.

Great horned owls are adaptable birds and live from the Arctic to South America. They are at home in suburbia as well as in woods and farmlands. Northern populations migrate in winter, but most live permanently in more temperate climes.

The birds nest in tree holes, stumps, caves, or in the abandoned nests of other large birds. Monogamous pairs have one to five eggs (two is typical), both the male and female incubate, and the male also hunts for food. Owls are powerful birds and fiercely protective parents. They have even been known to attack humans who wander too close to their young.

Like other owls, these birds have an incredible digestive system. They sometimes swallow their prey whole and later regurgitate pellets composed of bone, fur, and the other unwanted parts of their meal. Owls are efficient nighttime hunters that strike from above, and use their powerful talons to kill and carry animals several times heavier than themselves. Owls prey on a huge variety of creatures, including raccoons, rabbits, squirrels, domestic birds, falcons, and other owls. They regularly eat skunks, and may be the only animal with such an appetite. They sometimes hunt for smaller game by standing or walking along the ground. Owls have even been known to prey upon unlucky cats and dogs.

Great horned owls are largely nocturnal so they can be difficult to spot. But in the dark after sunset, or just before dawn, they can often be heard vocalizing with their well known series of "Hoo H'hoos!" [source: NationalGeographic.com]


Thank you very much Maria!

Aviation galore!

Today was apparently aviation and USA day since I happen to have received 4 cards from the US of which 3 were aviation related. I'm a total aviation geek, so I was extremely happy to find those in my mailbox!

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is located in Chantilly, VA on 12,000 acres of land 26 miles from downtown Washington, DC. The Main Terminal opened in 1962 and was designed by architect Eero Saarinen. Dulles is a major hub for domestic and international air travel with a mixture of legacy and low fare carriers which provide air service throughout the world. Flights operate from midfield concourses A, B, C and D and from Z-gates connected to the Main Terminal. The Airport has invested in its infrastructure through a major construction program called D2, Dulles Development, which included two parking garages, a new airport traffic control tower, expanded B-gates, a new fourth runway, an automated people mover system called AeroTrain and an expanded International Arrivals Building. The airport is connected to the region’s highway system via an Authority-operated, 16-mile Airport Access Highway dedicated to airport users. A 23-mile expansion of the region's Metrorail system is planned to reach Dulles in 2016. [source: metwashairports.com]

Charlotte Douglas received the prestigious Eagle Award in 2010 from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for “Best Airport.” It is considered the most distinguished of awards in the aviation industry. Charlotte Douglas was recognized for its quality service and economical value to airline customers. 

This year, the Airport launched CLT 2015. It includes a new 7,000 parking space deck, expansion of Departures/Ticketing and Arrivals/Baggage Claim and roadway in front of the terminal. The terminal expansion will accommodate additional checkpoint lanes and reconfigure the ticket counters and the Arrivals/Baggage Claim lobby. [source: charlotteairport.com]

The sender shares the same date of birth with me. 13th of March :)

The Henry Ford Museum contains a collection of artifacts that demonstrate American ingenuity, whether they be every-day household items used by innovators or the products they invented. While the museum’s collection is mostly about cars and vehicles, it’s also about the evolution of America, from air planes to house-hold appliances. [source: detroit.about.com]

1928 Ford 4-AT TRI-MOTOR - This special built Ford Tri-Motor airplane was used by Commander Richard E. Byrd in 1929 to make man's first powered flight over the South Pole. The plane is now featured in the Entrepeneur's section of the Heroes of the Sky exhibit in Henry Ford Museum. Fifteen vintage aircraft on display allow visitors to explore the golden age of aviation from 1903-1939. [source: postcard]


Thank you very much Tim & Hilarie!

San Diego

Some people say San Diego lacks weather, but the city’s residents seem to be surviving just fine without it. In fact it’s the mildness of the climate that, above all, defines the city. Though it’s big (and growing fast), San Diego manages to hang on to a resort feel even amid the skyscrapers and brick facades of its revamped downtown. A huge influx of visitors helps add to the vacation atmosphere, from party-hearty undergrads to boozy conventioneers. San Diego is also a favorite for family vacations, what with kid-positive attractions like SeaWorld and the city’s world-famous zoo.

San Diego has reserved plenty of outdoor space to enjoy the weather, from beaches and boardwalks to the fields and footpaths of sprawling Balboa Park. This is a place where life is lived outdoors, so it’s not surprising that fitness is a religion. Sit at a café long enough, and you are bound to hear talk of 10K races, if not triathlons.

While the rest of California went into a holding pattern when the Internet bubble went bust, San Diego’s economy kept quietly growing. The sustained boom has helped bring a new dynamism to a culture where tastes were once largely defined by military retirees - think khaki and plaid. San Diego won’t seduce you like San Francisco or wow you like Yosemite, but life here is so unrelentingly pleasant that you might not care either way. [source: lonelyplanet]

Thank you very much Whitney!

Amish county

I've seen this stamp so many times, yet this time it's very well fitted with the card as it shows an Amish scene from the same Lancaster area on the card. The sender lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and tells her city is surrounded by many Amish communities.

The farmlands of the Pennsylvania Dutch Country are among the most productive in the nation. But many of the farmers here are different from most Americans; different by choice. For these are the Old Order Amish and Mennonites, also known as the "Plain People".

Our Amish neighbors have been employing horse-drawn power since the days when horsepower had a whole different meaning! In comparison to our fast-paced society, the simpler, family-centered Amish way of life holds a special fascination.

  

These people trace their heritage back hundreds of years, and yet, despite all the time that has passed and the many changes that have taken place in society, they still live and work much as their forefathers did. Their families and their farms are their top priorities, second only to God.

The Amish are very devout in their faith. They believe in the literal interpretation and application of Scripture as the Word of God. They take seriously the Biblical commands to separate themselves from the things of the world. They believe worldliness can keep them from being close to God, and can introduce influences that could be destructive to their communities and to their way of life.

Today there are over 25 different Amish, Mennonite, and Brethren church groups in Lancaster County, all holding to slightly different traditions and their own interpretations of the Bible. The more traditional groups are called 'old order'. They do not permit electricity or telephones in their homes. By restricting access to television, radio, and telephones, the Amish are better able to keep the modern world from intruding into their home life.
The Amish have long preferred farming as a way of life. They feel their lifestyle and their families can best be maintained in a rural environment.While they do not permit the use of tractors in their fields, these old order Amish groups do use modern farm equipment pulled by teams of horses or mules.

These old order groups do not own or operate automobiles, believing that cars would provide easier access to the ways of the world. You will often see their horses and buggies on our local roads.

These traditional groups wear plain clothing styles, which has earned them the name "Plain People". It is the simple, peaceful lifestyle of these plain people that attracts such a curiosity today. Many wonder how these people can survive in their supposedly backward ways. Well, they're not only surviving - they're thriving. Since 1960, the Amish population in Lancaster County has almost tripled.

Their separation from the rest of society actually helps to strengthen their community. Amish children attend Amish one-room schoolhouses through the eighth grade. Amish worship services are held every other week in one of the member's homes. Socializing is an important part of Amish life.

The Amish have a strong sense of community spirit, and often come to the aid of those in need. Their barn raisings are a good example. Neighbors freely give of their time and their skills to help one another.

The Amish are generally private people and often find all the attention and curiosity about their lifestyle disturbing. They believe that the taking of photographs where someone is recognizable is forbidden by the Biblical prohibition against making any 'graven image'. Please respect their desire for privacy when visiting here.

With our society's current interest in restoring 'family values', much can be learned from studying the Amish way of life. Their devotion to family and community and their strong work ethic are good examples for our larger society. [source: 800padutch.com]

Thank you very much Sophia!

Columbia river Gorge

Columbia River Facts

• The Columbia River basin comprises some 260,000 square miles, from its headwaters in British Columbia, Canada, to its mouth at Astoria, Ore., bordering Washington and Oregon.
• The basin includes parts of seven states, 13 federally recognized Indian reservations, and one Canadian province. Nineteen percent of the watershed is in Washington.
• The average annual flow for the Columbia River at The Dalles, Oregon is approximately 190,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) (1 cfs = 448.8 gallons per minute).
• The river’s annual discharge rate fluctuates with precipitation and ranges from 120,000 cfs in a low water year to 260,000 cfs in a high water year.
• After dams were constructed along the river for flood control and power production, the flow regime of the river changed. Records kept since 1878 show that flows were much higher in the spring and lower in winter before dam construction. In addition, the velocity of the water moving down the river was significantly greater before dam construction began in the 1930s.In 1917, Washington adopted a water code to help manage water allocations from surface water bodies in the state, including the Columbia River.
• Since the water code was adopted, the state has allocated 768 surface water and 1,379 groundwater rights on the mainstem Columbia River.
• These Columbia River water users have the right to take approximately 13,000 cfs in instantaneous withdrawals from April through October, when most crops are grown in the basin.
• The total annual withdrawal from the mainstem Columbia River during the growing season is about 4.7 million-acre feet of water. (1 acre-foot = 325,851 gallons, enough water to cover a single square acre of land 12 inches deep.)
• The Bureau of Reclamation is the single largest water user on the Columbia River mainstem and is allocated about two-thirds of the water from the river. In Washington, the Department of Ecology is considering 87 new water-right requests to take an additional 1,650 cfs of water from the mainstem Columbia River.
• Pending applications for new water withdrawals located within Washington State for the mainstem of the Columbia River total approximately 1,650 cfs (87 applications as of September, 2002). [source: Department of ecology, state of Washington]
  
  
  Thank you very much Jody!

Blue Angels

The Blue Angels is the United States Navy's flight demonstration squadron. It was formed in 1946, making it the second oldest formal flying aerobatic team (flying under the same name) in the world, after the French Patrouille de France formed in 1931. The Blue Angels' six demonstration pilots fly the F/A-18 Hornet in more than 70 shows at 34 locations throughout the United States each year, where they still employ many of the same practices and techniques used in their aerial displays in 1946. An estimated 11 million spectators view the squadron during air shows each year. The Blue Angels also visit more than 50,000 people a show season (March through November) in schools and hospitals. Since 1946, the Blue Angels have flown for more than 260 million spectators. [source: wikipedia]

Thank you very much Linda!

Portland Head Light

This lighthouse has a white conical tower, a charming Victorian keeper's house with a rambling red roof and eyebrow eves on the porch, a commanding setting at the southwest entrance to Portland harbor, and beautifully landscaped grounds. Commissioned by George Washington and dedicated by the Marquis de Lafayette, it is the state's oldest lighthouse and one of its most beloved, with a well-appointed museum in the former keeper's house. It sits in Fort Williams Park, off Shore Road in Cape Elizabeth. Parking is free although there's a small charge for the museum. Many Casco Bay boat tours pass this light; there is also a bus tour to the lighthouse.

Portland Head Lighthouse was built in 1791. [source: visitmaine]

Thank you very much Dulcey!

Ronald Reagan airport

Set in a particularly modern building, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is a three terminal facility, situated just 4 miles / 7 km to the south of central Washington. An important operational base for US Airways, Washington's number two airport is sited on the banks of the Potomac River, next to Pentagon City and close to the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.

A number of different air carriers operate from the Ronald Reagan Washington Airport, providing non-stop flights to some 80 notable US and Canadian destinations. With over 19 million passengers passing through the facility's three terminals and 45 gates each year, it is actually busier than many of the world's largest international airports.
A solid ground transport infrastructure offers buses and trains operated by the highly efficient Metrorail service. Other popular transport options at the Ronald Reagan Washington Airport (DCA) include shuttles, hotel shuttles, taxis and limousine pickup services.
Crossing the adjacent Potomac River is necessary in order to reach central Washington DC. The airport is linked to the river by the George Washington Memorial Parkway (GW Parkway), which leads to the Arlington Memorial Bridge, George Mason Memorial Bridge and the Arland D. Williams Jr. Memorial Bridge (14th Street Bridge), carrying the I-395 interstate. [source: washington-dca.airports-guides.com]

Thank you very much Hilarie!