James, Nice flowers. They are difficult to shoot, at least I think so. They are everywhere, out here, and I only have a couple shots of them I like. As for a 400-800 ISO P&S, I have no experiance. Maybe that new SONY with an APS size sensor, DSC-R1?

Nice to have the park close by, sounds real nice. I do know what you mean about bringing the camera. I’ve resolved myself to just bring it nearly all the time. My wife gives me the look, but then I grab the tripod too. I have two size backpacks and either bring a big or small kit. I am not allowed to have a camera in work, and am unwilling to leave it in the car, so my frustrations are during the commute. I have seen MANY nice raptor shots on the side of the highway on the way back and fourth.

Speaking of ISO, another frustration of mine is my bad memory. I don’t know how many times I have thought I got the best shot only to find out I was at ISO 800 or something. Or to try that fleeting bird shot and then notice I am still set to f14 and ISO200 from that last landscape. I was in such a rush one day, I shot a landscape on a tripod at ISO 640, Full sun and never even looked at the focal length on my 12-24. It was at 24. OHhh the list goes on:)