Barred Owls, I believe.

Nice shot.

Bob

Congratulations and welcome. I'm also pretty new at this hobby. The advice to spend lots of time in the beginning with your camera and the supplied manual is good advice. In fact, I would even advise you to look to additional books that relate to your specific model…there are lots of them offered on the internet and in book stores.

After you learn where all the buttons and switches are, begin to concentrate on the triumvirate of photography…ISO (sensitivity of the light sensor), Aperture (size of the opening in the lens), Shutter speed (how fast the shutter opens and closes). Think of these three things as a triangle that you are drawing. You can draw any two of the sides of the triangle and that will determine the third side. To begin with, you can use AUTO and let the camera make all three decisions…many folks, even experienced ones, still revert to that in some situations so don't be ashamed to use it while you are learning.

As you shoot, you will begin to learn about things like composition and lighting, etc.

Just as with all new skills, your learning curve will be very steep at first and there will be frustrations, but the end result will be worth it.

Bob

I just recently went through the same deliberations when looking for a Macro for my D3100. After much study I chose the Nikkor 85mm Micro. It hasn't been off my camera since I got it. I know that it is a little over your $$ desires but I would encourage you to save a little longer than to compromise with a lesser or shorter lens.

All of the comments to go with a little longer lens than those that you are looking are valid. The extra distance gained will make a difference in many ways such as extra space between you and the target and in your lighting options.

If you are new to Macro photography it will open up a completely new world for you. There is never any shortage of fascinating subjects.

Bob

It helps us achieve pleasurable images. The down side is that the future will never know true history. Imagine what the Civil War would look like today if Mathew Brady had had PhotoShop!