Thank you. In the past I’ve attended sessions, etc and benefited greatly, absorbing knowledge in my limited way. I’m down to trying to use my Phone Scope now.
This shot I just took shows my dilemma. With my iPhone 11 Pro Max NOT attached to the telescope, the island on the right had a Robinson Crusoe wannabe fishing from the little shore with his rod earlier this AM. His rowboat was anchored to the right. I wished I could have gotten that shot earlier - not visible w/o the telescope.

You guys are so much more knowledgeable than I am. Math was never my forte. You’re very helpful but I’m afraid I’m a hopeless point and shooter. Thanks for trying.

Thanks for sharing your zooming experiences. I am going to keep trying to get some focused photos through my telescope with the PhotoScope attached. Maybe I’ll work on or replace the tripod - good idea. It would certainly be cheaper than a new camera. Meanwhile I saw some really big brown pelicans sitting on the island through the telescope. I look out my 6th floor window to the little tidal island about 1/2 mile(pure guess) out in the bay. I also hadn’t realized how careful I need to be to wait for clear and still atmospheric conditions.

This is my photo of Mila. She looks quite similar to your dog, doesn’t she? She doesn’t like having her photo taken.

That Canon SX50 seems to be the consensus favorite. Thanks for your input. I’ll check it out.

Thanks for your helpful advice. I’m think this might work for me:
4K 10-300X40mm Monocular Telescope. At $65 or so it may catch the birds on a clear, calm midday???

I get lost in the numbers. Would either of these, do you think, be an answer for me to zoom in on the birds on the island?
1. High Definition Monocular Telescope, 4K 10-300X40mm High Power Monocular with Smartphone Holder & Tripod, for Bird Watching Hunting Camping Travelling. $28.61 FREE Shipping.
Or 2. Canon PowerShot SX740 Digital Camera w/40x Optical Zoom & 3 Inch Tilt LCD - 4K VIdeo, Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth Enabled

I’m trying to attach my photo here. At first I thought your dog, Leah, was my dog, Mila. I hope both photos show together (if I did it right). Amazing resemblance!

Nick, No, not Bonita Bay. I’m a little north - looking across Boca Ciega Bay to the 2 little islands that grow and shrink with the tides. Specifically, the 1 to the north.

I hope this message gets to all the helpful replies to my query. Thank you very much. I appreciate it.
I have the 10 year old Panasonic DMC-FZ150K 12.1 MP Digital Camera with CMOS Sensor and 24x Optical Zoom. It can get a good shot of the island but not any birds on it. It’s hard to determine the distance but it’s too far to swim. Regretfully, no boat either.
I’ve been looking at camera resales and will try for a higher Optical Zoom lens than 24x and with a higher Megapixel. And I’ll shoot midday when it’s not windy. Thanks again.

Thanks, Gene. I’m afraid you may be right. Just not possible. This seemed my best possibility but it still probably won’t catch the eagles and pelicans sitting out there:
Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 4K Digital Camera, 18.1 Megapixel Video Camera, 60X Zoom DC VARIO 20-1200mm Lens, F2.8-5.9 Aperture, Power O.I.S. Stabilization, Touch Enabled 3-Inch LCD, Wi-Fi, DC-FZ80K (Black)

Yes, I agree they’d be too expensive for me, an amateur photographer.

Yes. Too expensive unfortunately but it looked pretty good.

My iPhone 11 Pro Max, 10x Zoom I believe, takes a fuzzy shot of the island but no focus on the birds sitting there. I can only see them through the telescope.

Maybe $200.