Been thinking about a new lens lately?

Probably 85% of the shots I have taken with my 100-400 are at 400mm.  The  majority are fairly large shorebirds. Herons, Ibis Egrets Spoonbills, etc. I usually find that 400 mm is not enough magnification.

I don't always carry the big 500mm but I do carry the 100-400mm pretty much everytime I head out to take photos. Unless you are backpacking, carrying the three extra pounds is well worth it and it is no big deal on any day hike. See my review of the lens in frequently recomended lenses. It is a really great one.

--
The first camera bag you buy is always too small
http://www.flickr.com/geofiz