400L 5.6 delivered tomorrow

[Homer]

After reading hundreds of reviews I chose this lens over a 100-400. Always seem to shoot at 400, have zoom and wanted best quality results.

Wondering what the best camera setting for this lens is on my 7D. I had been using my 70-200l 2.8 IS II with the ex1.4 but short on reach. With the ex2.0 II I was just not happy with the image results. I shoot mostly eagles. Most of the shots are not BIF but perched in their nests or on branches. Probably 75% are not BIF. Since it does not have IS I know to crank up the speed but is a tripod or monopod a must and what speed/settings would give best results? When shooting BIF again what settings/speed would provide me the best results

THANKS

/click on

7D, 10-22, 24-105, 70-200 2.8 IS II, ex1.4, ex2.0 II (Thanks to everyone as all my purchases were influenced mostly by this forum and have not regretted it)