Flocking together

Birds in Winter stamps dedicated

Sept. 26, 2018 at 9:53 a.m. ET

Owl sits on arm of smiling woman near stamp artwork — Marie Soderburgh, an environmental educator at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science, holds Troy, a barred owl, during the Sept. 22 dedication ceremony for the Birds in Winter stamps.

Winter is here.

Birds in Winter, new stamps that showcase four winged beauties in seasonal scenes, were dedicated Sept. 22 in Quechee, VT.

Pricing and Costing Vice President Sharon Owens, who led the ceremony, praised birds for their resourcefulness, resilience and talent, noting they produce some of the most beautiful sounds in nature.

“It’s easy to see why they’re so popular with the American public,” Owens said.

USPS held the ceremony at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science, where other speakers discussed the birds featured on the stamps: the black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus), the northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), the blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) and the red-bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus).

The Birds in Winter stamps feature each subject in a digital rendering that contrasts stark white backgrounds with the bold colors of each bird’s plumage.

The stamps are available in booklets of 20 at Post Offices and usps.com.

Smiling woman gestures at podium

USPS Pricing and Costing Vice President Sharon Owens addresses the audience during the ceremony, which was held at the Quechee-based institute.USPS Pricing and Costing Vice President Sharon Owens addresses the audience during the ceremony, which was held at the Quechee-based institute.

Hannah Marshall, a local newspaper editor who served as master of ceremonies, shares a laugh with other attendees.Hannah Marshall, a local newspaper editor who served as master of ceremonies, shares a laugh with other attendees.

Smiling group of people stand near stamp display

Participants gather near a Birds in Winter stamp poster following its unveiling. From left are Jason Hill, an ornithologist with the Vermont Center for Ecostudies; Owens; Charlie Rattigan, the Vermont Institute of Natural Science’s executive director; and Marshall.Participants gather near a Birds in Winter stamp poster following its unveiling. From left are Jason Hill, an ornithologist with the Vermont Center for Ecostudies; Owens; Charlie Rattigan, the Vermont Institute of Natural Science’s executive director; and Marshall.

Hawk is perched on handler's arm near stamp artwork

Chesterland, a Harris’s hawk, rests on a handler’s arm during a demonstration at the end of the ceremony.Chesterland, a Harris’s hawk, rests on a handler’s arm during a demonstration at the end of the ceremony.

Man, woman sit at table, signing event programs

Hill and Owens autograph programs for philatelists and other attendees following the ceremony.Hill and Owens autograph programs for philatelists and other attendees following the ceremony.

Postal retail worker places hand stamp on envelope

Dustin Frazier, a retail associate at the Quechee Post Office, applies a special cancellation to a mailpiece after the ceremony.Dustin Frazier, a retail associate at the Quechee Post Office, applies a special cancellation to a mailpiece after the ceremony.

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