One other suggestion: Recommend you take a bean bag to help steady your camera and lens. In many instances, you will be standing inside the safari vehicle to take your shots and a bean bag set on the roof line will prove very helpful.

I have been to Africa twice. I found that the 70-300 mm was enough reach in most situations (the game drivers do an excellent job of getting you close to the animals and the animals are very cooperative as well---they are used to seeing the vehicles near by). If you would like a lot more reach, I would recommend that you pick up a used or reconditioned Canon SX50 or SX60. Either will do the job nicely!

I highly recommend a stop in Natchez. Beautiful town on the Mississippi steeped in history. There are beautifully restored plantation homes scattered throughout the area and the town is a regular stop for river cruises operated by American River
Cruises. Great photo ops!

I have the EF-S 18-250 and found it a great all around lens for use on several of my Canon cameras. Wide enough for most situations and still has a good amount of reach.

Is that photo series from this year? Lack of rain in the Birmingham area has muted our fall colors significantly.

Isn't it amazing how healthy these animals look in their natural habitat. It's almost like someone groomed them on the other side of a hill and then said, "The tourists are over there. Show them how good you look!" I have been to Africa twice and would go again in a heart beat.

Sorry. I missed something. Was there something wrong with the 13th chick?

Great shot!! Wish I were there!

Thanks for the response gvarner.

Thanks for the input.

Thanks. I have heard good things about Lightroom. Will look into it.

Does anyone else besides me find PSE12 to be a very difficult program to use? I purchased "the missing manual" book, but still have difficulty using the software. I am starting to shoot in "raw", which is why I moved to PSE12. I don't have any difficulty using it for post production, but I haven't been able to organize the photos in folders or find them when I want to add them to Facebook or email specific photos. I really loved Picasa, when I was shooting in jpeg and before Google called off the program. I would like a post production software package that doesn't require a PHD in photography manipulation to use. Any suggestions from fellow UHH's?

Isn't anyone interested in making a "lighter" lens?

Thanks to all for your inputs regarding photo magazines.

Thanks sailorsmom. Giraffes are my favorites also. They love to pose for the camera. I saw them in their natural habitat in Africa on two trips. As long as there was a camera out, they would not leave the area. Funny.