I thought it probably was a joke – and then I thought the name must have been changed and my books are not up to date. I was also doubtful that it was a little raven.
I actually think that it is a very clever photograph Geoffrey, and your description also very clever Philip (even if I was confused).
Jean
From: Philip Veerman [
Sent: Saturday, 3 December, 2016 05:09 PM
To: 'casburnj'; 'Geoffrey Dabb';
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] Nature in Canberra
Oh sorry. I was hoping this would not be needed. Minimus as in small, (that is my whimsy) carrying on from Geoffrey’s whimsy. It is a joke. Although the comments
about the shiny feathers are real. The big beard shows it is not a Little Raven.
From: casburnj
Sent: Saturday, 3 December, 2016 4:17 PM
To: 'Philip Veerman'; 'Geoffrey Dabb';
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] Nature in Canberra
I am confused about Minimus. Are we referring to the Little Raven please Geoffrey and Philip?
With thanks
Jean
From: Philip Veerman
Sent: Saturday, 3 December, 2016 01:31 PM
To: 'Geoffrey Dabb';
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] Nature in Canberra
Interesting that this ACT Dwarf Raven (C.c. minimus) shows a strong blue tinge to what I am assuming are its new feathers: the whole row of greater wing
coverts and some lesser wing coverts and the (no assumption new) centre primaries & secondaries, a shine that appears to have worn off from last year’s now old feathers. In contrast the sad
Stencilled Hairstreak
doesn’t get a chance at a replacement glossy set of scales on its wings.
Philip
From: Geoffrey Dabb
Sent: Saturday, 3 December, 2016 11:22 AM
To:
Subject: [canberrabirds] Nature in Canberra
This pretty butterfly was snapped this morning in Campbell Park. I learn from Michael Braby’s excellent field guide that it is known as the ‘Stencilled Hairstreak’. The size of the insect may be gauged from a comparison with the Dwarf
Raven.
