A quick check of the ABA Ohio Birding News http://birding.aba.org/maillist/OH the other day revealed a report of a leucistic Ruby-throated Hummingbird visiting the plants and feeder at Inniswood MetroGarden in Westerville, OH (near Columbus). Initially the species was thought to be a Rufous but photos sent to Allen Chartier by Jim McCormac allowed Allen to ID it as a Ruby-throated. Here is a link to Jim's blog the gives the details ID determination. http://jimmccormac.blogspot.com/2013/10/white-hummingbird-at-inniswood-gardens_23.html
With the park being 3 hrs from my house, I figured I could shave 45 minutes off the trip if I went after work which is just north of the Michigan-Ohio border. This morning after an 8 hour shift, I talked myself (literally as I was walking to my car) into making an attempt to photograph the white hummingbird.
The way a situation like this usually goes is that when I arrive the target bird has just left, I wait around for an hour, the bird doesn't show and when I get home I read that the bird reappeared about 10 minutes after I left and everyone is treated to spectacular views and photo-ops. Not this time. The bird was very cooperative when it wasn't visiting the feeder it spent considerable time perched in the nearby trees.
Wow, you did get lucky this time -- wonderful shots of a great bird! Thanks for sharing. ~ Kim
ReplyDeleteThanks, I'm glad the bird hung around long enough for some photos.
ReplyDeletespontaneous trip to the U.P then this winter!!
ReplyDeleteThat's always a possibility.
ReplyDeleteExcellent exposures, Mark! You really nailed the tough contrast. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteLuckily, the bird made a few visits to the feeder, because I originally exposed for the foliage and the bird came out almost 2 stops overexposed.
ReplyDelete