Nice shot. It looks like the 1.7 has a tough time holding the background together, this is the same thing that happens when you put the 1.4 on the 200-400 vr. it looks too digital for my taste. . .

The 500 VR has a memory recall button that will allow you to set the memory and by using the small button near the mount the lens will kick back to the set focus area when pushed, no matter what's in the frame.

Those shots are from my first ever BIF outing. I've shot a few on off the cuff, but yesterday I went out intending to shoot the 500 vr with the 1.4 and birds. . .