Stamp of Approval

If you're a stamp collector and an ocean lover, make plans to be at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in October. That's when the U.S. Postal Service will unveil its new kelp forest stamp panel with first-day-of-issue ceremonies at the aquarium.

It should be a fun day. We've done this a few times before, with issues celebrating marine mammals and deep sea creatures. We were chosen as the location this time because of the irresistible combination of our living Kelp Forest exhibit and the significant role kelp forests play in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary off our back decks.

We don't yet know the exact date of the ceremonies, but we'll keep you posted.

The stamps depict a kelp forest in the marine sanctuary and include 27 species of marine life ranging from sea otters and pelicans to rockfishes and rainbow top snails. The image was painted by Hilo, Hawaii wildlife artist John D. Dawson -- one of more than 30 he's created for the Postal Service.

They stamps are the 11th issue in the Nature of America series, and will be released in October to commemorate National Stamp Collecting Month. By coincidence(?) it's also when we celebrate our 25th anniversary.