The main thing this thread illustrates to me is that people have dramatically different approaches to, and standards for, wildlife photography. For example, some people are willing to get to a location 30 minutes prior to sunrise, set up a blind, and wait out a subject. They meticulously plan the light angle, the background, and the distance to the subject. But others get to a location well after sunrise and just stroll through, hoping for a decent chance at a grab shot.
The issue that keeps arising in this thread is that the two groups are trying to impose their standards on the other. For people in the first group, an f/11 lens or even a 500mm f/7.1 is unthinkably slow. But those lenses are perfectly acceptable for people in the latter group. I am not making a judgment about which group is better. Photography is a hobby for almost all of us that is simply meant to be enjoyed. So, people should do what makes them happy. But before passing judgement or even giving thoughts, one should try to put themselves in the shoes of the person they’re responding to because rheee grips have vastly different needs and preferences.
