hello fellow Oregonian. I am not always satisfied with my photos either but they are improving with practice. My longest lens use to be a 300mm of film days technology. I evaluated the situation and upgraded the lens to a Sigma 150-600mm. Photos improved but there was still a problem. I switched from 20mp to a 61mp camera. Images improved again. Still not happy. Focus seemed to be a problem. I sold gear and got the Sony A1 50mp and superior focus system and traded the sigma for the Sony 200-600mm G lens. . Much happier with the images but the pocketbook is empty. I've tried but just can't use a tripod with the A1 and 200-600mm lens. You just can't move fast enough. I push the ISO up to between 800 and 2500 to get the shutter speed above 1/800 and usually 1/1500. I use "S" or in your case "TV" to set the Sutter speed. I also found that neither one of the lenses Sigma or Sony did not like me using a Polarizer filter. So I shoot the lens naked. There are plenty of times that I wish I had a 1.4x or 2x tele extender. Gwilliams has excellent examples using these extenders. Looks like you are doing the best you can with what you have. The best reason to get new equipment is that what you have won't do what you are trying to do. I try not to depend on PP to save my photos.. Fellow hogers did a wonderful job PP your photo but to me, The eagle now looks like a 70's hippy paisley bird.

I don't use color filters when I shoot color. I correct in the PP. I do have a Sony a7ii that is converted to shoot only Monochrome, like the Leica and Pentax. I do use colored filters with that camera. The filter I chose depends on the subject. Mostly I use red, orange, yellow and green. The same as in the film days.

Monochrome a7ii , red filter

When I am a tourist I have either my Sony RX100v or Sony RX10iv. It forces me to be a tourist and enjoy the trip. I I'm be a photographer then I have it all, full frame cameras, and a wagon load of lenses.

really nice shots..

it's hard to not get so excited that you forget some steps. great shots

nice

none are in focus. You should have manually focused

Great shots. I did well with thigh the 2017 eclipse as it came through Oregon. We were only 20% for this one.

buy Local if you can. Of the 75 cameras we had about five did not work properly. The camera eats batteries so have plenty of spares.

Maybe.... The college purchased them through either Staples or Office Depo...

During the post pandemic, I taught classes to underprivileged kids. We gave them Vivitar F128 cameras. They cost the college about $25 each. They used AAA batteries as well as needing an SD card. The images were surprisingly good. It will also do a short movie. and has a built in flash. I would recommend this no frills camera.

It will be clear and sunny above 35,000ft all the way....

I like the idea. I had a Fuji GFX50s. It was nice but at the selection of lenses was slim. I currently use Sony equipment. I don't think I would be able to afford the medium format Sony.

I would be interested in the 20-70mm If you decide to break up the set

Something to think about: Which setup would give you the fastest lens? You will be on a moving ship. Whales and bears will generally be moving. Eagles will be either perched or flying (fast). So chances are you will be shooting between 1/800 to 1/2000 sec. What will your ISO be pushed to? Will you stop down a bit to get a bit more DOF ? I have a 200-600mm that I shoot a lot of birds and critters. But if I was going on the cruise I would take my Sony RX10m4. Smaller, lighter, easier to cover during rainy days. Yes: expect rain and or mist during your cruise. I use to have a Canon SX50 it was almost as good as the Sony. I would highly recommend any of the long reach bridge cameras vs taking 30lb of camera gear.