Thank you so much for these suggestions. I was looking at the Nikon D40 on amazon. A reviewer mentioned something about light issues. I have had a lumix with a optical zoom for a while and sometimes have issues with light or movement (not using a tripod). The reviewers comment about light sensors scared me away. Is this something I need to be concerned about with this camera or was the reviewer splitting hairs and comparing to much more expensive models? Is the issue of light settled in the lens or body? Thank you for the tip of focusing on lenses, I didn't know that. Will I always need a tripod with this Nikon d40? That is a great suggestion about practicing on whoever is around not waiting for the rare sight. I have found over the years that photographing birds made me able to spot them much more quickly than I used to. I find many of the photo's on this site stunning in their beauty and am just amazed at what I see in a closeup picture of a dove or flicker, birds I used to think so ordinary. Also, do you think this Nikon would also work decently for indoor family shots at holidays? Thanks for your patience with my questions.

I purchased that Nikon 40mm f/2.8G AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR Lens, and like it a lot. It is sharper and faster than my kit lens (18-55mm zoom VR) and the 55-300 telephoto. I also use the 55-300 telephoto for closeups of butterflies and other "shy" creatures. Its VR feature lets me handhold it at the full 300mm setting. This closeup of a butterfly on one of my hybrid zinnias was cropped from a 300mm handheld shot, with the VR feature "on". I use all three of my lenses about equally, so I am frequently switching lenses. The 40mm Micro NIKKOR is good for close sharp macros, and also functions as a prime lens, since it focuses to infinity just fine. At some time in the future, when my budget allows, I will get the 85mm Micro, which has vibration reduction, and should be relatively easy to hand-hold. I also plan to get one of those right-angle viewer attachments, which let you "look down into" your camera and get convenient low-angle shots. I particularly need that for some of my macro close-ups. The D3200 and my lenses are giving me the photographic capability that I have been wanting. ZM

I know how you feel. I did the same thing with film Canon cameras. I started out with a used Rangefinder Canonet in the late 1970s. Then I moved up to a used AE-1, used T70, and finally ended up with a Pro A-1 that had been completely overhauled. Of course I bought all the different lenses, macro and tele. I use to lug around 2 big camera bags with all the lenses and filters and don't forget the tripods. Now it all sits in a cabinet unused. DH says I should sell them but who is buying film cameras nowadays? I thought my Nikon Coolpix 8800 would be my last camera ever. It had a film camera range 35 - 350 mm, Image Stabilizer, TTL view finder, 10x optical zoom, Exposure Modes Bulb, Manual, Program, Automatic, Shutter-priority, Aperture-priority, ISO 50-400 ranges, Exposure Metering and at 8meg I could get great macro shots. Everything I was use to in an SLR except for the changable lenses. The front does have threads for filters. I paid more for that camera then I have for any camera before. I had a heart attack when I bought it. LOL Now it is getting to the point of being old technology and it is only 5 years old. As a matter of fact I am beginning to have technical problems with it. When I hit off it won't shut off, I have to pull the battery. I sure and heck am not going to get it repaired. It would cost more then a new camera. That taught me valuable lesson about digital cameras. I will never buy the latest and never paid a ridiculous amount for one. At least I can use my film SLRs forever, or at least as long as they sell film. Not so with digital cameras. They are throw away technology. Clare

Why dig a trench? You decide what plants you want to grow and just plant them. Never mind " rootgrow " whatever that may be. Clay has more nutrient than any other soil. Get the plants you want and plant them. I would use Sarcococcos personally, evergreen, winter flowering and highly scented.