Chirpy, those pics are a real joy to look at.
From what Borno said and the others' pics (they are all brilliant, respect), I gather I should try some panning stuff with SR off. Monopod sounds good and I can borrow a fat Manfrotto monopod. What I don't get is how can you handhold a 300mm+ lens and get those shots? I understand I need patience and probably a very good anticipation of flight paths and my positioning to it. I only got manual focus long lenses, so I hope they can do the job also.
My bread and butter BIF: Birds of the town, half wild half not. 135mm lens, heavy crop on K100D
More bread and butter with the soft look: 55/1.4 lens full open on K100D
Thanks for sharing all,
Georg (the other)