I'm overwhelmed with takeaways for my Panama trip and I thank you all for them. I'm having to take notes to make sure they register, esp the humidity issue. The bird pics were fabulous and I have had some experience with lodge feeders. My enthusiasm for photography can sometimes overwhelm my wife's tolerance on these exotic ventures so I need to balance things. We've been married 54 years so so far so good. Most of your advice will be invisible to her but I will credit you all for the bug tissues.

Thank you both for your helpful responses. The tilt head is a great idea I'll follow up on.

Going to Panama soon with a couple days in the mountains to see/photograph birds. I'm not very experienced with birds in rain forest conditions. My gear will be a Nikon D610, 28-300 walk around, and a rented maybe bought Nikon 200-500. Tripod probably not practical but I can take a monopod. Is a ball head a good idea on it. I haven't done that before. As sort of a default set up I'm thinking aperture priority at 6-8, center focus, ISO either auto or 1600, and anything else you recommend. These will be largely for me as I don't compete or print big. Thanks for your help. I'm mostly an old amateur (Argus C3 era) who wants to stay current and worthwhile.

I was there last Fall and learned from a local to go out early Thurs AM to scope out the site, field set up, parking, and get some pics of some of the professional tourist carrying balloons as they lay out, inflate, load with customers, and take off. I mean real early like 5:30/6:00. You can park just outside the gate. It's a pretty much no hassle warm up for next day/weekend which will be crowded, although you can still go right onto the field.

A number of years ago I was in Thailand at a market and a particularly attractive native dressed young girl was sitting on a fence. Sort of figured it was a set up but raised my camera with a gesture "is this OK" and she put her hands over her face and turned one palm out. On it was written 25 bat, the local currency. So I gave about that much and got the picture with hands up and palm out. I'd send it if it weren't a slide.

Tell her to go to some of the monuments after dark and they are illuminated. Lincoln, Jefferson come to mind.

Don't be paranoid just be vigilant especially in crowds and lines. Be especially alert when someone offers to help (tickets/directions). They're distracting you.

If not salt water try packing it/them in rice for awhile. It often works in Alaska when someone drops a camera in the stream.

Go to a market in any of those places. Try to get to the Taj at dawn this time of year because the palace may emerge from fog from the river immediately behind it. Try to get some Taj pics from the back over the river. There is another palace you can visit in back from which it would work.

The ferris wheel is a great place to get a good orientation and vista for principal buildings and harbor. It's the highest in the world. Your are in an enclosed "car".

Logistically at this time of year you can do east of the village in your own car but west you have to use their shuttles. As noted already probably the best "end" for sunsets is the east end, ie., where the tower is.

Ordered a camera from Amazon just before a trip, when it arrived the box was empty. Called Amazon and they shipped another and it was at my 1st stop the next day! My friend knew why a package might arrive and he opened it and put a beer can in it. Got the camera and a laugh.

Jerry, I would love some comments about your RX100III, esp shutter lag if any. I'm comparing with a Canon G 15. Thanks. Maybe you can respond directly to me, Corsicafox without intruding on the thread.

Thanks. I've got the D610 but having it at hand all the time is a hassle for the spur of the moment shot.

Would like something with a faster recycle time than my Canon G15. Grandkids don't stay put long but Nikon D610 is usually out of reach when they are close by. Did the dpreview search on Sony RX 100 III and Canon G7X. The later not sited as very fast and Sony wasn't mentioned that way I could find. In any case would appreciate your suggestions. This will likely become the usually around the neck for most casual opportunity shots. Thanks.