Thank you for your patience while we retrieve your images.

Hand-feeding of Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds at Zaleski State Forest began when naturalist Dave Sapienza was replacing a filled feeder and a hummingbird zoomed in for a drink.

The program has been featured in The Cleveland Plain Dealer, Cincinnati Enquirer, Columbus Dispatch, Ohio Magazine, Birds and Blooms, Better Homes and Gardens and Midwest Living. The program was also featured on television's WSAZ in Huntington, W.Va. and the Ohio Division of Wildlife's PBS show, Wild Ohio. Additional information can be found here.

Today, as many as 10 feeders are maintained by the nature center's staff along with a bunch of hand-held feeders. I am told that the best time to experience this is mid-July. I stoped in today in the off chance that there may be some hummingbirds and was not disappointed.

The pictures are probably not the best around as all are shoot at slow shutter speeds and I did not carry a better beamer or any slaves. This was also an opportunity to test AF speed, contrast and sharpness with my new toy - THE EF 500mm F4 L IS USM. The lens did not disappoint, AF is super fast on EOS 40D (cross-type sensors help) and contrast is natural and pleasing.

All were shot with EOS 40D w/ EF 500mm F4 L IS USM on Jobu Design Black Widow Heavy Duty Gimbal Mk II mount on Feisol 3402CN. This setup is over Feisol's capacity considering a FOS of 2, but the lens left a huge dent in the wallet. For now, I plan to leave the IS on to compensate. Additional tests with EF 1.4TC Mk II will be coming soon.
Ruby-throated hummingbird (Female)Ruby-throated hummingbird (Female)Ruby-throated hummingbird (Female)Ruby-throated hummingbird (Female)Ruby-throated hummingbird (Female)Ruby-throated hummingbird (Female)Ruby-throated hummingbird (Female)Ruby-throated hummingbird (Female)Ruby-throated hummingbird (Female)Ruby-throated hummingbird (Male)Ruby-throated hummingbird (Male)Ruby-throated hummingbird (Male)Ruby-throated hummingbird (Female)Ruby-throated hummingbird (Female)Ruby-throated hummingbird (Female)Ruby-throated hummingbird (Female)Ruby-throated hummingbird (Female)Ruby-throated hummingbird (Female)Ruby-throated hummingbird (Female)Ruby-throated hummingbird (Female)