Little green heron having a bad feather day

Osprey dad bringing dinner to the kids

Welcome from another Minnesotan (Shoreview). Like you, I love nature photography-- backyard or North Shore. This is a great site for learning, help and fun.

Come on up the Mississippi in the spring-- early to mid-March. Wabasha, MN has an eagle center, and the area around there has over 100 in the spring as they head north. Alaska's wonderful, but MN is closer. PM me if you decide to come, and I'll be happy to show you some of my favorite viewing spots.

You're right-- white head means at least 4 years old.

Welcome, Dean-- I'm also new to this forum, and love nature photography. Both your birds have that most important thing--the eye in focus. And they look beautifully sharp. I'd crop out most of the right half of the junco shot, since it is distracting. And for the titmouse, I'd try next time to get the whole tail in. Just my suggestions.
Glad to have you aboard-- look forward to more of your photos!

Alycia, I second Jim H. and skidooman-- do you have a good camera shop nearby? And do you want to continue with photography as a hobby, or can you see it becoming an obsession? One thing about DSLRs is the lack of "shutter lag"-- that annoying problem with point-and-shoots when you're trying to capture that cute moment, you press the shutter button, and by the time it clicks the moment is gone.
Being a Canon gal myself, I'd suggest looking at the Rebel series (and the most recent ones can do video, I think, if you want that) if you expect to keep up a love affair with photography. Nikon has a similar series.
And I fully agree-- forget photoshop until you have worked on the craft of photography. No editing program can make a bad photo good, or make you a good photographer. That comes from practice, and the wonderful thing about digital is that once you have the camera, the photos are free (at least on your computer screen) and the feedback is instant, unlike the film days. So get ready for wonderful fun!

Here's a variation on the "moving camera" theme

I'm a long-time photo enthusiast from St. Paul. I love to go up to the North Shore of Lake Superior for nature and landscape photography, though there's plenty right around home as well. Carrying a camera makes me see things I might otherwise pass by without a second glance, and see familiar things in new ways. I'm looking forward to continuing to learn and discuss all aspects of photography with you all.

curious fox kit


Darien (not Lake Superior) shrimp fleet

I love your creativity in doing the very unusual: moving your camera intentionally! I'm another new poster, and will introduce myself separately, but just had to jump in and say congratulations on not being a slave to photographic convention.