Taken from the new Tunnel Top Park, at the Presidio, San Francisco. It was a nice anniversary celebration (40!) walk, on a gorgeous day in The City.

I just shot the World Athletics Championships, up in Eugene, using a Nikon Z6ii, along with my Tamron 100-400mm on an FTZ adapter. Over 5,000 shots taken and tack sharp on the keepers... And that lens was one of the smaller ones, when compared to what the pros were shooting (100s of them!).

I am perfectly happy doing landscapes, urban architecture, animals, etc. with my Z6ii... Already logged 15,000 clicks and all very happily!!!

Depends on what YOU are interested in. Personally, I own two Z-line lenses: the 24-200mm 4-6.3 and the 105mm MC Micro. The latter does a phenomenal job up close, but still produces crisp landscapes when needed, and great portraits always. The former is a great travel lens that does not disappoint. In my local NIkon Group, the 105 is absolutely the most popular lens at the moment (and just under the $1K line).

They have improved the autofocus speed and locking ability. Totally love my Z6ii...

Ahh! Gestalt is a wonderful thing: You're talking pets and I only know them in the wild... Even more understanding now, with their messiness ripping the skin off, then dropping the big pit onto whomever might be stupid enough to standing directly underneath...

Nevertheless, that is what these birds eat and seek out down there.

Thanks!

Macaw busy at breakfast, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica

Hey Ken! I went to Costa Rica, last February and March; a most incredible experience. I took my Z6ii and my Nikkor Z 24-200. I only wish I had brought my converter as well... 90% of the time, it was great. To capture distant birds (Quetzals) it needed help that I didn't bring. But that was it. The lens/body was with me all the time and I didn't think it was too heavy or awkward and I fully participated in everything (70 years). Great food, wonderful people, a heavily vaccinated country who takes their masking very seriously, but wants to show you a great time. The fewer moving parts down there, the better. Sloths, Iguanas, Quetzals, hummingbirds, and more small mammals than you can keep track of. And just wait for the birds!!! Flying, walking, nesting, they are a photographer's eye candy... And then there are the Howlers, Spiders and Capuchins. HAVE FUN! BTW. Did I mention Sloths??? We went to the Toucan Rescue Ranch, in a suburb of San Jose. They are one of just three sites in all of CR, who the government sends "saved" sloths and baby sloths for care and rescuing:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/p6gtkNRqxtippWd77

Enjoy your experience. We live on the West Coast, so Hawaii is close, but Costa Rica will now be the new "go to" warm vacation spot...

I am not a birder, but am working on the IDs now. I will have them all done by the end of next week and will post. If I counted correctly, I haver about twenty-five species to identify...

Absolutely, head to Costa Rica. We have decided that Costa Rica and Hawaii are about the same flight time, so Costa Rica will win out; cheaper to stay, better food and drink, and way more nature to photograph. It never got tedious and we already want to go back...

Our first real traveling since March of 2020. These were from San Gerardo de Dota, at elevation of 7200 ft.

Nice set; love the B&W.

I owned and loved the Nikon 18-300 and loved it; primary travel lens. The Tamron is an excellent lens as well, so it is about your comfort zone. Primarily due to availability, I purchased the Tamron 150-600 G2 and love the results. If I need to reduce my weight load, I am seriously considering the Tamron you're looking at as well. If you can try them out beforehand, you decision will be pretty quick (or not!).