Have you read the reviews here on PR? That's what I did when I was getting ready to buy my first SLR. Based on the manufactuers literature and what I read on PR, I decided to get a Nikon N80. I have never regretted it.

In the price range you list, you're going to be very limited in camera selection. A compact digital isn't going to do everything you listed, at least not well. Most of them have limited macro abilities and short (3X or 4X) zooms. A better bet would be to get an advanced compact digital. It's two or three times as much as you're looking to spend, but they have much better macro capabilities, (especially models that tout their macro like the Coolpix 5400 and 8400), and they usually have longer zoom ranges (7X to 12X).

In the long run, a good digital camera will pay for itself in what you save on developing film. (Just don't tell anyone at PR that I said that!) It depends on if you have that much to spend up front. And if you opt for an advanced compact, you might as well look at the digital SLR's. For very little more than an advanced compact you can get a basic digital SLR, and even more versatility.

A cheaper alternative (up front), would be to get a film camera like a N65, N75 or N80, with a 90mm macro (Sigma makes a very nice one that's affordable). You could then take closeups of bees, and you'll have a short telephoto for those moose shots. You can add other lenses as you go. You can always get Wal Mart or whoever to scan your images to a CD when they develop your film. I shoot film (mostly) and I have Half Hour Photo scan them to a CD when they develop my film.

Didn't mean to get long winded or confuse you. Just trying to lay out your options for you.

Good luck and let us know what you get. We'll be looking forward to seeing those images.