For roughly $50, you can purchase a mount that fits your hot shoe on the camera and place a "Red Dot" sight on it. This will give you quick target acquisition and make BIF easier once you get the hang of it. The mount is for cameras and has a picatinny rail and you just attach a red/green dot sight to the rail.

I believe there is a steel out that is called "Coreten" (Pronounced Core- Ten) that is utilized in ship hulls. It is designed to rust and then protect from further degradation. I think the sculptor Richard Serra uses this material.

You can encounter the Sandhill Cranes from North Platte to Grand Island along I80. I live in North Platte and we have a vast number of cranes in and around the city. There are numerous interstate lakes along I80 and often times, the cranes land near those bodies of water and can easily be photographed. If you get online you will find the commercial guides for crane viewing near Kearney provided they have openings remaining for this year. If you find it difficult to locate cranes and photographic opportunities, hit me up as your visit nears and I'll see what I can do.

That is great ! I am an Art prof in Nebraska, have a lil' buddy as well, and a Four Wheel Camper Project M acquired October 2022. I'd have to say, we have it made! Keep making those images and taking care of the pup. Best of health to you.

Well done!

Great images! You, your bestie, a camera and a Four Wheel Camper, you've got it made!

Well done!

Nice work!

I toadily feel your pain.

Totally agree there, that is why I use RRS.

I think it boils down to what you want to communicate, rough fast falling water or relaxing passive feeling. The shutter should match the intent.

With the extender, your effective aperture will beat or beyond f11 with either of the zoom lenses. So the 800mm f11 might be a consideration after all.

I have used the 800mm with the R6 and appreciate the clarity and weight of the combination. I will say, the glass is slow, requiring significant light even on sticks. I also own the EF 600mm f4 which can be adapted to the RF platform and takes amazing images with the EF to RF unit. On clear days, the R6 coupled with the 800mm performs well.

Very nice images! I recall fishing Lake James in the fall when I lived in South Carolina and you have some amazing views in your own backyard! Strong images, great work.

SonnyE: Thank you for the insight. I have not explored the telescope as of yet. My scope is an APO Triplet, carbon fiber and the mount is Celestron equatorial. Life grabbed me, so I have not had the opportunity to experiment with my gear. I hope to get with it soon. I have looked at various astro cameras and just not sure I want to introduce the laptop and software into the equation. Hope you have had many successes with your images. May the skies be clear for you, thanks again for your insights.