B5004

Birds of Prey

 Osprey

Collins Cover Announcement 

Birds of Prey

High-Value eighty-five cent Stamps

Osprey

This impressive bird of prey is sometimes known as the "sea hawk," "fish eagle," or "fish hawk." The osprey is a large raptor reaching more than two feet in length. The vertical envelope format with which I decided to portray the birds of this series is perfect to capture the large body, extensive spread of wings, and sharp, pointed talons of this swooping hunter of fish. The osprey has brown upper markings and wings, grayish/white under parts and head with a distinctive black eye-patch that surrounds its golden, acute vision eyes. In North America it breeds from Alaska to the eastern maritime provinces of Canada south to Florida and the entire Gulf Coast. When I was growing up in Northwest New Jersey, I delighted in the fact that this magnificent bird nested in the wooded areas surrounding the Clinton, Oak Ridge, and Wanaque Reservoirs and fished in their pure, clear waters.

As my long-term collectors know, I constantly try to be innovative in my cachet designs and incorporate different and varied aspects into the artwork. Sometimes less is bstter, andki'm so happy with the approach I decided to take on this set of five. The vertical format provides the length needed to properly present these awesome birds of prey. The uncluttered background serves to magnify and project the raw beauty of these magnificent raptors rendered in natural watercolors painted by careful brushstrokes on each and every cachet. Wildlife art on First Day Covers at its finest.

The diving osprey as it descends over the forestrimmed reservoirs of my youth is now ready. Collins #B5004 at $14.50.