A couple of weeks ago, when my wonderful "benefactor" who'd provided the long-term loan of the Sigma supertelephoto finally wanted it back, I kind of panicked. Migration was just about to start and I was documenting the growth of the two Great Horned Owlets across the street—how was I going to continue to photograph birds? After considerable obsessive and compulsive research, to say nothing to using the big lens every last chance I got, I settled on opting for the Sigma's smaller cousin: a 100-400mm that weighed much, much less and could therefore be held by hand with no problems... especially by my no-longer-strong-and-steady-enough hands. My favorite camera store—B&H Photo and Video in New York City—sent the Sigma fast, and as soon as the weather cleared, I was putting the gorgeous and, praise be, relatively light-weight (around 2.5 pounds) through its paces. In the field, it quickly proved to be just the thing to keep me going. The Chipping Sparrows across the street were eager to pose. Maybe they were even singing an occasional hosanna. When I started reviewing the Chippy shots, I certainly was.