Hmm, yeah if you are having to use manual focus that could explain it, as neither cameras by default have a manual focus screen, and with the mix of chasing fast moving otters, manual focus and using the TC it could well be camera shake as CT has said ! Is a shame because there are a lot of pictures there that have potential !
I guess its just a matter of practice practice practice etc ! May pay to sit in the garden with the TC on and just snap away, try fixed and moving objects, beauty of digital photography is basically free once you have the kit so waste the contents of a couple of cards and just see if you can spot where the focus points are, and have a play
Thanks for the directions !

Not sure which day we are going to go yet.