Follow the urge and enjoy yourself

Hello and welcome Glenn! I recommend you read a lot, on this website and elsewhere, plus watch youtube videos and absorb whatever you can to help narrow your choices. Think about what you want to photograph, and if you want a bridge camera, DSLR or mirrorless? If you have an actual camera store nearby, visit and try to handle lots of different cameras to see what feels good in your hands. If not, checkout the cameras on display at BestBuy, Costco and other big chains.

As you decide what you'd like, don't worry about getting the latest model available. The manufacture will probably introduce an updated version as soon as you get it anyway, and the updates won't have much effect on the quality of the photos you'll be able to capture. Also consider used equipment. Camera bodies change often, lenses not quite as often.

I've had a variety of SLR, DSLR and bridge cameras from Nikon, Canon, Casio, Olympus and Panasonic over the years. I got my first DSLR in a kit with two lenses from Costco and returned them within a few weeks, opting for a slightly more advanced model and different lenses (not in a kit) from a local camera store.

I just happened to choose a Nikon for my first DSLR because I liked the feel and the controls, even though my SLRs were both Canons. I currently have and use three, including the first as well as a bunch of lenses. Two are APS-C (crop sensor, or DX is Nikon Speak) and one is a Full Frame, or FX. All of my lenses will work on any of the cameras, however: The DX-format camera can use both types of lenses (DX and FX) since the non-DX lens image circle is larger than needed on a DX-format camera. FX cameras can also use DX lenses, however to avoid vignetting, the DX crop mode is automatically selected by the camera when a DX lens is attached.

Good luck, and enjoy whatever you choose

So the hood wasn't even on the lens? I was going to point out that the darkened shape resembles the design of the hood, and wondered if evaporation of moisture on the inside of the hood could have clouded the image somehow. But it didn't seem possible for a cloud to mask so completely. Weird, I hope someone comes up with an answer.

I'll 2nd that! Gorgeous!

Those are great! Thanks for sharing your experience!

Very cute!

Looks like Edward Everett Horton if he was a bird. Great photo!

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Good luck and please don't wait too long if they tell you to evacuate. We had to leave several times for the Station Fire and later for mudslides in 2009. Better to be safe and live for another day. BTW, I always enjoy your photos, keep up the great work!

I just looked at some of your previous posts and don't see why you're losing confidence. Lighten up on yourself and keep shooting!

Hello & welcome! FYI, your link isn't working the server IP address could not be found.

Great photo, and welcome to the UHH!