B5001

Birds of Prey

Northern Goshawk

Collins Cover Announcement

Birds of Prey

High-Value eighty-five cents Stamps

Northern Goshawk

Hidden away in the pristine forests of the Green Mountains is the Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences. A main focus of this facility is the rehabilitation of injured birds of prey. Linda and I, along with our granddaughter Alexa, recently had the opportunity to visit the impressive "VINS" site. In addition to mending raptors for their release into the wild, other main objectives of the staff are education and research in regard to birds of prey. While there, we toured the raptor enclosures and wildlife exhibits and enjoyed an up-close presentation that included owls, hawks, and golden eagles. As we were leaving, I knew that I wanted to make this set as realistic as possible to convey the beauty of these awesome birds. Still available at $14.50 is the Golden Eagle.

The Northern Goshawk is a large hawk with a long tail. Its habitats are deciduous woodlands and northern forests. My individually hand painted cachets, done in vertical format, capture a hunting Goshawk as it swoops downward with talons extended. This is a bold and beautiful wildlife First Day Cover. Northern Goshawk — Collins #B5001 at $14.50.

Spring 2022 Mail Sale Commentary 

Lot 29 B5001 — Northern Grosbeak (1-20-12)

This is a large very active hawk and is easily identified by the black areas around the eye on the upper cheek and on the crown of the head. My hand painted cachet is done in vertical envelope format to capture the drama of flight. Its habitats are northern forests and wetlands. This grosbeak is hunting, and its talons are open and ready as it swoops in on its prey. When I offered this cover with the other Birds of Prey set of five, they all sold out in a flash. I've never had one in a mail sale. This will be the first.