The Magnificent Frigatebird, Barbuda

The magnificent frigatebird is a large, lightly built seabird with brownish-black plumage, long narrow wings and a deeply forked tail. The male has a striking red gular sac which it inflates to attract a mate. The female is slightly larger than the male and has a white breast and belly. Frigatebirds feed on fish taken in flight from the ocean's surface (often flying fish), and sometimes indulge in kleptoparasitism, harassing other birds to force them to regurgitate their food.

The magnificent frigatebird is widespread in the tropical Atlantic, breeding colonially in trees in Florida, the Caribbean and also along the Pacific coast of the Americas from Mexico to Ecuador, including the Galápagos Islands. It has occurred as a vagrant as far from its normal range as the Isle of Man, Denmark, Spain, England, and British Columbia.

Map Of Antigua

The 2nd time my friend visited Antigua he sent me this wonderful map card :))

The tree on the stamp is mesquite - is one of the most expensive types of lumber in the U.S. A mature tree can be milled and sold for thousands of dollars. It was a very popular type of wood used by early Spaniards to build ships; but is now used most commonly for high end rustic furniture and cabinets.

Martello Tower, Barbuda

Martello towers are small defensive forts that were built across the British Empire during the 19th century, from the time of the French Revolutionary Wars onwards. They stand up to 12m high (with two floors) and typically had a garrison of one officer and 15–25 men. Their round structure and thick walls of solid masonry made them resistant to cannon fire, while their height made them an ideal platform for a single heavy artillery piece, mounted on the flat roof and able to traverse, and hence fire over, a complete 360° circle.

My friend was in Antigua a number of times but it is only last year that he managed to also visit Barbuda - which is situated north of Antigua and has a population of about 1638. He managed to find one single view card - literally! how lucky for me :)) 

English Harbour And Nelson's Dockyard, Antigua

Another addition to my newest written & stamped collection comes from my dear 'sailing-friend' Ash, who went to Antigua and spoilt me with these two beautiful postcards :))) He actually didnt have time to post them, but a nice lady at the bookshop offered to help! Ash fell in love with Antigua immediately, and i can see why...The postcards show the English Harbour and Nelson's Dockyard. The latter is on Antigua and Barbuda's Unesco WHS tentative list, as a unique continuing cultural landscape that rose to prominence as a British Naval Dockyard during the turbulent years of the 18th century.

I was never crazy about these exotic places - you know the classic picture, sandy beaches, palm trees, cocktail in hand..! But ever since i started receiving postcards from the Caribbean i have to admit i am getting the urge to visit. Fingers crossed!