I'm not a big poster here, but I *am* a big camera nerd. I've used about a half dozen different DSLRs since 2005 and decided to give the micro four-thirds system a go this past December. I like both DSLR (right now I still use an old Nikon D60 since it has the fun quirk of being able to use 'ancient' non-AI Nikon lenses) and M4/3 for different reasons. If you really want a new camera, you should check out http://www.dpreview.com And sit down and make a list of what you are wanting in a camera (ie, do you REALLY need a huge sensor to make poster-sized prints or would you prefer a smaller camera in-hand...do you want something where the image stabilization is only in the lens or in the body...do you really want the creative freedom of changing lenses and learning the nitty-gritty of your camera's operation or would you rather have a point-and shoot...that sort of list). I've been using my old non-AI Micro Nikkor 55mm f/3.5 lens a ton lately. That's with my old trusty D60. And I'm hesitant to pick favorites, but my Auto-Mamiya Sekor 55mm f/1.4 might be my favorite lens on my Olympus. I use the PEN-Mini, if you're curious, which is designed to be used as a point-and-shoot, but I like to throw legacy lenses on it and use it manually. Both images are straight out of camera...I never do post-production unless I'm watermarking or cleaning up digital images from scanned film. Have fun! Choosing new technology is a big investment...take your time and try not to get overwhelmed. ~Anika Here is a link that might be useful: GothicLibrarian.net

OK Trax Farms of Finleyville PA (south of Pittsburgh) has lots of these. I got one that's almost 3 feet tall with 10+ bloom heads on it. In fact they carry almost all new or recent introductions of hydrangea - couldn't leave without 3 different ones! This is by far the best nursery I have ever been to. They also have 5-gal Vanilla Strawberries, Forever & Ever Fantasia, Bombshell, Little Lime, 10-gals of PA Pride Time After Time, Great Star paniculata, etc. Just throwing this out there for anyone who might happen to be in this area.

Sunday after a thunderstorm rolls through just after sundown the sky is red (above). The next day, Monday, same thing, and the sky turns gold. Same street, same sun, two storms, same time, totally different hue. Funny how that works.

The Canons that I'm familar with have two focusing modes: continous and only at exposure time. In the continous mode, the focus mechansiam is active all the time and is using up battery charge. It is constantly trying to keep the scene in focus as y u move the camera around. Many users turn this off to conserve power. In the other mode, the autofocus become active only when the shutter button is pressed half way down to its first detent. In this mode, the shooter must allow enough time for the camera to focus before pressing the shutter all teh way down to record the shot. In good light, those Canons do focus fairly fast, usually in the time it take the user to compose the scene. But focusing takes more time for low light and at long zooms. The farther the zoom, the longer it may take. I think that on onme of your deer shots, the camera was not fullt focused when the shot was recorded. In another matter, I have been able to hand hold shots up to 2 and maybe 3 times zoom in good light where the shutter speed is fast. Once you approach 5X zoom and beyond, you'll need someting to steady the camera or very fast shutter speed. Your shots of the deer appear to be at least 5X zoom.