Åland Post unveiled a special Europa 2021 stamp that is a contribution of the Postal Service to this year’s philatelic competition. The item features moor frogs, a protected species. The painting that appeared on the stamp was created by Bo Lundwall who depicted the moor frog in profile to underline the characteristic features of these amphibians.
Popular Swedish nature and animal artist Bo Lundwall commented on the creation of illustration for this issue:
“I spent two spring days by a lake in Tinnerö oak forest near Linköping and studied the frogs during mating season, making many sketches to have as reference. There were probably over a hundred frogs and they sounded like a chorus. But they were also incredibly shy; my slightest movement, and they hid under the water.”
Bo featured the male representatives of this frog species during the breeding period therefore it is illustrated in lovely turquoise blue. Lundwall turned to his friend zoologist Torkel Hagström (a professional frog researcher) for help. He consulted the artist concerning every detail depicted in the picture and proved that the design is correct. The analysis of this frog population conducted last year showed that the moor frog was the least observed amphibian, but it was seen all over mainland Åland.
Take a look at other Europa 2021 stamps.
