Have Camera Will Bird:  How much can you carry?

The question is, how much equipment are you willing to lug around with you on your birding adventures?  Are you going to carry your camera equipment in a pocket, in a back pack, or hanging around your neck with your binoculars?  In the beginning keep it simple and lightweight until you find out how serious you want to become with digital photography.  Borrowing a camera may be a possibility.  A small digital camera (is there any other kind), 3 to10 mega pixels, with at lease 10x optical zoom capability is all that you should need to capture the images you desire.  Prices range from $100 - $400.  You can also do a google search, but the best place to begin your search is at    http://www.steves-digicams.com/  .  In many instances a photo can be very useful for identifying a bird.  The zoom allows you to look at an enlarged image of the bird in question, the moment after you take the photo. (totally amazing).             After you have exhausted yourself taking bird photos, load them into your computer.  Follow the instructions on the screen and the real joy begins.  There is no end to the fun you can have editing your photos.  You can send everyone you know your favorite bird photo.  You can use your own bird photos for screen savers, enter contests, and even create your own birding web site and become a irritant to everyone you know.  Digital cameras are lightweight and easy to operate.  Just point and click!          Docentjoyce demonstrating "point  and click" method.