These shots are fantastic. Of course a lot has to do with the skill of the photographer and the quality of the subjects, but the image quality seems excellent.

I have been considering buying the 70-300 to compliment my two kit lenses and the 50mm macro. It seems like that would give me everything I need for quite some time. Yet the idea of buying this to replace the two kit lenses and get a little more reach is intriguing. Also, I have an upcoming vacation and I could see just bringing the 18-180, whereas with any other lens I would think I would need to bring along at least two.

Which would you recommend to a novice like myself, buying the 70-300 or the 18-180 to round out my lens kit?

If I went with the 18-180 I would probably want a longer telephoto eventually. The 18mm probably has me covered on the wide end of things for the forseeable future.