USA - Maine - Aedes Vexans

The Mosquito (Aedes Vexans).

Sent by Jamie from Gardiner in Maine, USA.

This is from Wikipedia : Aedes vexans is a cosmopolitan and common pest mosquito. It is a known vector of Dirofilaria immitis (dog heartworm); Myxomatosis (deadly rabbit virus disease); and tahyna-virus, a seldom-diagnosed Bunyaviridae, a disease which affects humans in Europe with fever which disappears after two days, but afterward can cause Encephalitis or Meningitis. Aedes vexans is the most common mosquito in Europe, often composing more than 80% the European mosquito community. Its abundance depends upon availability of floodwater pools. In summer, mosquito traps can collect up to 8,000 mosquitoes per trap per night.

Aedes vexans is the most aggressive mosquito in Europe.

Finland - Kielo Finnish National Fower

Kielo (Convallaria majalis), or Lily of the Valley, the national flower of Finland.

Sent by Sointu, a postcrosser from Finland.

This is from Wikipedia : Convallaria majalis (pronounced /ˌkɒnvəˈlɛəriə məˈdʒeɪlɨs/), commonly known as the lily of the valley or lily-of-the-valley, is possibly the only species in the genus Convallaria in the flowering plant family Ruscaceae (or one of two, or three, if C. keiskei and C. transcaucasica are recognised as separate species). It was formerly placed in the lily family Liliaceae, or in its own family called Convallariaceae.

This woodland plant is native throughout the cool temperate Northern Hemisphere in Asia and Europe and a limited native population in Eastern USA (Convallaria majalis var. montana). There is, however, some debate as to the native status of the American variety.

Italy - Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata

Images of Ancient Pompeii.

Sent by Bettina, a postcrosser from Naples in Italy.

The impressive remains of the towns of Pompei and Herculaneum and their associated villas, buried by the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79, provide a complete and vivid picture of society and daily life at a specific moment in the past that is without parallel anywhere in the world.

Pompei was an Opician foundation of the 6th century BC, and Dionysus of Halicarnassus maintained that Herculaneum (Ercolano) was founded by Hercules. Both underwent changes of overlord in the centuries that followed: Oscans, Samnites, Greeks, Etruscans, and finally Romans in 89 BC, following the Social War. Pompei was elevated to the status of Colonia Cornelia Venera Pompeiana in 89 BC, whereas Herculaneum was accorded the lower rank of municipium. The lives of both towns came to an abrupt and catastrophic end on 24 August, AD 79. The area had been shaken by an earthquake shortly before and reconstruction work was still in progress when Vesuvius erupted with tremendous violence. Pompei was buried under a thick layer of volcanic ash and stone and Herculaneum disappeared under a pyroclastic flow of volcanic mud.

Since the discovery of the two buried towns in the 18th century, much more of Pompei has been revealed by excavation than of Herculaneum. The main forum is flanked by the foundations of a number of imposing public buildings, such as the Capitolium (temple dedicated to the divine triad of Jupiter, Juno and Minerva), the Basilica (courthouse), and one of the sets of public baths. Close by is the older triangular forum, where the two theatres are located. The larger of these is of Greek origin, remodelled to suit Roman taste. Among other notable public buildings are the well-preserved Stabian Baths, begun in the 2nd century BC. However, Pompei is renowned for its series of domestic buildings, ranged along well paved streets. The earliest is the atrium house, entirely inward-looking with a courtyard at its centre: the House of the Surgeon is a good example of this type. Under Hellenistic influences this type of house was enlarged and decorated with columns and arcades and equipped with large rooms for social functions. In its most extreme form, this type of Roman house, known from towns all over the Empire, developed into a veritable palace, richly decorated and with many rooms, of which the Houses of the Faun and of the Chaste Lovers are outstanding examples. Perhaps the most exceptional of all the houses in Pompei is the Villa dei Misteri (the House of the Mysteries). This enormous establishment just outside the walls, which developed from a modest town house built in the 3rd century BC, takes its name from the remarkable wall paintings in the triclinium, which depict the initiation rites ('mysteries') of the cult of Dionysus. A special characteristic of Pompei is the wealth of graffiti on its walls. An election was imminent at the time of the eruption, and there are many slogans to be found scrawled on walls, as well as others of a more personal, often scurrilous, nature.

Much less of Herculaneum, built on a promontory overlooking the Bay of Naples, has been uncovered, not least because of the depth to which it was buried. However, the nature of its volcanic covering is such that the ancient buildings are much better preserved than those of Pompei. Organic materials such as wood survive in situ and the upper floors of many buildings are intact. Several impressive public buildings are well preserved, including a spacious palaestra entered through a monumental gateway, two sets of public baths, one of which (Urban Baths) is monumental in scale and vividly decorated, the College of the Priests of Augustus, and a theatre of standard form. The houses are also remarkable for their extent and decoration, especially the House of the Bicentenary. Those fronting on the sea, such as the House of the Deer, have large courtyards and rich decoration. The town is also noteworthy for the completeness of its shops, still containing fittings such as enormous wine jars. Recent excavations in the harbour area have revealed vaulted warehouses which contained the remains of unfortunate citizens who had sought refuge there, only to suffer death by asphyxiation. Of great importance in both towns are the artistic styles represented by their sculptures, their mosaics and, above all, their wall paintings. (Source)

Mexico - Hidalgo Garden

HIDALGO GARDEN
Tlaquepaque is a small town of artisans very close to Guadalajara. Its Plaza and the Church of Saint Peter are the heart of the "Villa Alfarera" as it called.

Sent by Irma, a Facebook friend from Guadalajara in Mexico.

This is from Wikipedia : San Pedro Tlaquepaque, also known as Tlaquepaque (Spanish pronunciation: [tlakeˈpake]), Georgetown or simply San Pedro, is a small town and the surrounding municipality in the Mexican state of Jalisco. During the 20th century it was absorbed by the outward spread of the state capital and is now a neighbourhood of the Guadalajara conurbation, lying only a few kilometres from the city centre. The city had a 2005 census population of 542,051, while the municipality had a population of 563,006. The municipality's area is 270.88 km2 (104.59 sq mi) and lies adjacent to the south side of Guadalajara. Its largest community besides Tlaquepaque is the town of Santa Anita, at the municipality's southwestern corner (read further).

Mexico - San Juan de Dios Market

SAN JUAN DE DIOS MARKET
The San Juan de Dios Market is a very important center in Guadalajara. It was designed by Arq. Alejandro Zohn and constructed during the early 1950's.

Sent by Irma, a Facebook friend from Guadalajara in Mexico.

This is from Wikipedia : Mercado Libertad, better known as Mercado San Juan de Dios (San Juan de Dios Market) is located in the city of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. It is one of the largest indoor markets in the country with an area of 4000 m².

Most vendors in the market allow haggling, and many articles can be found at discounted prices. The market was inaugurated on December 30, 1958 and was designed by the architect Alejandro Zohn (read further).

Mexico - The Charreria

THE CHARRERIA
The Charreria first began as part of the work of farm laborers and to control the cattle. Today, with set rules it is recognized as the national sport.

Sent by Irma, a Facebook friend from Guadalajara in Mexico.

Charrería (pronounced [tʃareˈɾia]), also known as Jaripeois a sport an d discipline arising from equestrian activities and livestock traditions used in the haciendas of the Viceroyalty of New Spain (read further).

United Kingdom - England - The Cross of Saint George

The flag of England.

Sent by Alicia, a Swap-Bot partner from Bristol in England.

Faroe Islands - Hestur

Multiviews of Hestur, an island in Faroe Islands.

Sent by Sunnva, a friend from Torshavn in Faroe Islands.

This is from Wikipedia : Hestur is an island in central Faroe Islands, located to the west of Streymoy and to the south of Koltur. Hestur means horse in Faroese. Located on the west coast is a large colony of guillemot. In the north of Hestur there is a moorland with four small lakes, of which Fagradalsvatn is the largest. At Haelur, Hestur's southern-most tip, there is a lighthouse.

The island has one settlement, also named Hestur on the east coast. Hestur village (61°57′27″N 6°53′13″W / 61.9575°N 6.88694°W / 61.9575; -6.88694) enjoys the view over Gamlarætt and Velbastaður on Streymoy. In 1919 a fishing accident resulted in the deaths of one-thirds of Hestur's men. In an attempt to fight the depopulation of the village, a swimming pool was built on the island in 1974. On the southern part of the island by the lake Fagradalsvatn, one can camp. Hestur's postal code is FO 280 and it's since 1 January 2005 part of the municipality of Tórshavn.

The Hill Of Crosses (2)

The Hill of Crosses in Lithuania.

Sent by Karolina, a postcrosser from Lithuania. This is the second postcard of this subject.

USA - Ohio - The Rock Creek Covered Bridge

The Rock Creek Covered Bridge is one of Ohio's picturesque covered bridges. Photographed on a cool misty morning, the bridge is on Riverdale Road in the village of Rock Creek in Ashtabula County.

Sent by Darlene, a Facebook friend from Ohio, USA.

This is from Wikipedia : Riverdale Road Bridge is a covered bridge spanning the Grand River in Morgan Township, Ashtabula County, Ohio, United States. The bridge, one of currently 16 drivable bridges in the county, is a single span Town truss design. During its renovation in 1981, the floor was rebuilt and glue-laminated wood girders were added. Previously, center steel bracing had been replaced under the bridge in 1945. In 1987, a new concrete abutment for additional support was added after the road at the east end of the bridge washed out. The bridge’s WGCB number is 35-04-22, and it is located at 41°40′23.808″N 80°52′18.66″W / 41.67328°N 80.87185°W / 41.67328; -80.87185 (41.67328, 80.87185)[3] approximately 1.1 mi (1.7 km) north-northwest of Rock Creek.

Finnish Summer House

Finnish Summer House.

Sent by Tuula, a postcrosser from Finland.

USA - Minnesota - State Bird

MINNESOTA COMMON LOONS
Our Official State Bird

Sent by Mike, a postcrosser from Minneapolis in Minnesota, USA.

This is from Wikipedia : The Great Northern Loon, Great Northern Diver, or Common Loon (Gavia immer), is a large member of the loon, or diver, family of birds. The species is known as a Common Loon in North America and the Great Northern Diver in Eurasia, its current name is a compromise proposed by the International Ornithological Committee.

Moomin #2

Sent by Mantsu, a postcrosser from Raahe in Finland.

Italy - Ischia Island - Castello Aragonese

The Aragonese Castle.

Sent by Roberto who lives in Ischia island in Italy.

This is from Wikipedia : The Aragonese Castle (Castello Aragonese, Ischia Ponte) was built on a rock near the island in 474 BC, by Hiero I of Syracuse. At the same time, two towers were built to control enemy fleets' movements. The rock was then occupied by Parthenopeans (the ancient inhabitants of Naples). In 326 BC the fortress was captured by Romans, and then again by the Parthenopeans. In 1441 Alfonso V of Aragon connected the rock to the island with a stone bridge instead of the prior wood bridge, and fortified the walls in order to defend the inhabitants against the raids of pirates. Around 1700, about 2000 families lived on the islet, including a larisses Convent, the Abbey of Basilians from Greece, the Bishop and the Seminar, the Prince with a military garrison. There were also thirteen churches. In 1912, the Castle was sold to a private owner. Today the castle is the most visited monument of the island. It is accessed through a tunnel with large openings which let the light enter. Along the tunnel there is a small chapel consecrated to Saint John Joseph of the Cross (San Giovan Giuseppe della Croce), the patron saint of the island. A more comfortable access is also possible with a modern lift. After arriving outside, it is possible to visit the Church of the Immacolata and the Cathedral of Assunta. The first was built in 1737 on the location of a smaller chapel dedicated to Saint Francis, and closed after the suppression of Convents in 1806 as well as the Nunnery of Clarisses.


Castello Aragonese in Ischia Island.

France - Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur - 13 Bouches-du-Rhône - Saint Sauveur Cathedral

Saint Sauveur Cathedral.

Sent by Guillaume, a postcrosser from Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade in France.

This is from Wikipedia : Aix Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur d'Aix) in Aix-en-Provence in southern France is a Roman Catholic cathedral and the seat of the Archbishop of Aix. It is built on the site of the 1st century Roman forum of Aix. Built and re-built from the 12th until the 19th century, it includes Romanesque, Gothic and Neo-Gothic elements, as well as Roman columns and parts of the baptistery from a 6th century Christian church. It is a national monument of France.

Tianzi Mountain

Fog on Tianzi Mountain like a Chinese's landscapes traditional painting.

Sent by 樊可辛, a postcrosser from Nanjing in China.

This is from Wikipedia : Tianzi Mountain (天子山) is located in Zhangjiajie in the Hunan Province of China, close to the Suoxi Valley. It is named after the farmer Xiang Dakun of the Tujia ethnic group, who led a successful local farmers' revolt and called himself "tianzi". This means "son of heaven" and is the traditional epithet of the Chinese emperor.

Paramount Dancehall on Yuyuan Road

Yuyuan Road
This area gathers gardens and houses, new-styled lanes with quiet environment; the East China College of Politics and Law, formerly known as St. John's College, and other famous colleges are particularly outstanding here.

Sent by Carol, a postcrosser from Shanghai in China.

Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK - KYRGYZSTAN
The national game kyz-kuumay, the Kyrgyz girl, and the Wedding Palace.

Sent by Rustam from Kyrgyzstan.
Note : The first postcard received from Kyrgyzstan.

USA - California - Yosemite National Park (1)

BRIDALVEIL FALL
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA
The 620-foot tall is one of Yosemite's most beautiful sights. The Indians called this fall "Pohono", which means "a puffing wind".

Sent by Sue G., a postcrosser from California in USA.

Yosemite National Park, on the west slope of the central Sierra Nevada Mountains, is an area of outstanding scenic beauty and great wilderness value. The park represents practically all the different environments found within the Sierra Nevada, including sequoia groves, historic resources, evidence of Indian habitation, and domes, valleys, polished granites and other geological features illustrating the formation of the mountain range.

The park is dominated by the Sierra Nevada, which is a tilted granite area. Granite underlies most of the park and is exposed as domes, partial domes, knobs and cliffs. There is exceptionally glaciated topography over most of the area including the spectacular Yosemite Valley, a 914 m deep cleft carved by glaciers through a gently rolling upland. The valley is a widened portion of the prevailing narrow Merced River canyon which traverses the southern sector of the park from east to west. The massive sheer granite walls present a freshly glaciated appearance with little postglacial erosion. The park is known for its many waterfalls, including the Yosemite Falls and Ribbon Falls, and some 300 lakes, including Emerald and Merced. Other notable canyons in the park are the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River and the Tenaya Canyon. There are also two major rivers (Merced and Tuolumne). The area was previously heavily glaciated and, although no glaciers are still existent in the park, the marks of their passing are everywhere. Glacial action combined with the granitic bedrock has resulted in unique and pronounced landform features. These include distinctive polished dome structures as well as the related glacial features of hanging valleys, tarns, moraines and U-shaped valleys. Monolithic granitic blocks such as Half Dome and the perpendicular wall of El Capitan are classic distinctive reflections of the geological history of the area.

The variety of flora is reflected in the existence of six distinct vegetation zones which are governed by altitudinal variation. Notable are three groves of the giant sequoia tree and extensive alpine meadows. There are 1,200 species of flowering plant along with various other ferns, bryophytes and lichens. There is one endemic and eight threatened or endangered species of plant.

The park has 67 mammalian species, of which 32 are rodents, 221 species of bird, 18 reptile, 10 amphibian and 11 fish, of which 6 are endemic. One bird species (bald eagle) is endangered and the peregrine falcon is listed as vulnerable. A few non-native species have been accidentally introduced such as beaver and white-tailed ptarmigan. Bighorn sheep were declared extinct in Yosemite in 1914 but were reintroduced in 1986.

There are 1,000 designated archaeological sites recorded by visitors, park staff and during systematic archaeological surveys. Yosemite is viewed as a boundary zone between the two major cultural provinces of Central California and the Great Basin. In late prehistoric and historic times Yosemite was occupied by two main tribes of North American Indians. There are 569 designated archaeological sites within the park.

Yosemite's natural beauty was the impetus, then, for the first implementation of the national park concept as we know it today. Adding to Yosemite's cultural importance are the archaeological features found in the area.

Much change has however occurred in the Yosemite landscape. Suppression of natural fires and heavy stock and sheep grazing in the past has also altered the original vegetation. (Source)

New Zealand - Brown Kiwi

Kiwi (or Brown Kiwi), New Zealand
This unique, flightless bird is so readily identified with New Zealand that it has superseded the fern leaf as the country's emblem. However, being strictly nocturnal, it is seldom seen in the flesh except in park and zoos. The Kiwi uses its long powerful beak to forage for its diet of grubs and insects.

Sent by Lee, a postcrosser from Tauranga in New Zealand.

Germany - Hohenschwangau Castle

Hohenschwangau Castle, Allgäu, Bavaria.

Sent by Mai, a postcrosser from Siegen in Germany.

This is from Wikipedia : Hohenschwangau Castle or Schloss Hohenschwanstein (lit: High Swan County Palace) is a 19th century palace in southern Germany. It was the childhood residence of King Ludwig II of Bavaria and was built by his father, King Maximilian II of Bavaria. It is located in the German village of Schwangau near the town of Füssen, part of the county of Ostallgäu in southwestern Bavaria, Germany, very close to the border with Austria.

Hohenschwangau Castle was built on the remains of the fortress Schwanstein, which was first mentioned in historical records dating from the 12th century. A family of knights was responsible for the construction of the medieval fortress. After the demise of the knights in the 16th century the fortress changed hands several times. The decay of the fortress continued until it finally fell into ruins at the beginning of the 19th century.

In 1829 Crown Prince Maximilian (the later King Maximilian II of Bavaria) discovered the historic site and reacted enthusiastically to the beauty of the surrounding area. He acquired the property in 1832. One year later the reconstruction of the Castle began, continuing until 1837. The architect in charge, Domenico Quaglio, was responsible for the neogothic style of the exterior design.

Hohenschwangau was the official summer and hunting residence of Maximilian, his wife Marie of Prussia and their two sons Ludwig (the later King Ludwig II of Bavaria) and Otto (the later King Otto I of Bavaria). The young princes spent many years of their adolescence here. The King and the Queen lived in the main building, the boys in the annex.

Hohenschwangau Village on left, Schloss Hohenschwangau on right, as seen from Neuschwanstein Castle.King Maximilian died in 1864 and his son Ludwig succeeded to the throne, moving into his father's room in the castle. As Ludwig never married, his mother Marie was able to continue living on her floor. King Ludwig enjoyed living in Hohenschwangau, especially after 1869 when the building of his own castle, Neuschwanstein, began only a stone's throw from his parental home.

Schloss HohenschwangauAfter Ludwig's death in 1886 Queen Marie was the castle's only resident until she in turn died in 1889. Her brother-in-law, Prince Regent Luitpold of Bavaria lived on the 3rd floor of the main building. He was responsible for the electrification in 1905 and the installation of an electric elevator. Luitpold died in 1912 and the palace was opened as a museum during the following year.

During World War I and World War II the castle suffered no damage. In 1923 the Bavarian Landtag recognised the right of the former royal family to reside in the castle. From 1933 to 1939 Crown Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria and his family used the castle as their summer residence, and it continues to be a favourite residence of his successors. In May 1941, Prince Adalbert of Bavaria was cashiered from the military and withdrew to the family castle Hohenschwangau, where he lived for the rest of the war.

More than 300,000 visitors from all over the world visit the palace each year. The castle is open all through the year (except for Christmas). Opening hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (April through September) and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (October through March). Guided tours are provided in German, English, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Czech, Slovenian and Japanese. Self-guided tours are not available.

Norfolk Island

NORFOLK ISLAND
South Pacific
Norfolk Pine at sunset, Philip Island through archway, and Emily Bay at sunset.

Whataway Yorlye

Whataway yorlye (Hello, how are you).
Although the language spoken on Norfolk Island is English, you will also hear the islanders speaking Norfolk, a unique combination of Tahitian and eighteenth century seafaring English. The Bounty Mutineers and their Tahitian wives and companions developed the language after settling on Pitcairn Island. The dialect was taken to Norfolk by their descendants in 1856.

Vasafua

Vasafua
Vulnerable islet in conservation area of Funafuti Atoll.

I've never expected to receive postcard from hard-to-get countries like Tuvalu in Postcrossing. All I got so far are from Finland, Germany, USA and all those common countries in Postcrossing. So, here it is from a Special Postcrossing Project in Tuvalu. Thanks to Paulo Magalhães and the team.

Saint-Martin (1)

The various influences on Saint-Martin are apparent in its architecture. Old houses, traditional wooden houses, sumptuous villas, and modern, state of the art hotels. The contrasting styles blend in astounding harmony. Bright colours dominate everywhere expressing the pride of the inhabitants and their joie de vivre.

Sent by Aimee together with tourism brochures from St. Martin. Thank you.