Beginner needs help choosing the right lens

I normally use a point and shoot camera but am hoping to soon buy a Canon 40D. What lens should I start with? I want to do some wildlife but mainly macro. Also, what is a good tripod brand? Thanks!
Elizabeth

First I would just get the body with the kit lens, which will give you 24 or 28mm equivalent start on the zoom and runs out to 75 or 100mm equivalent length. A good walk around lens but not a macro or wildlife lens. For birding you will wish for 400mm or longer equivalent lens length but for macro there a a few nice macro lenses in the 55mm-100mm range and you always purchase extension tubes.

Lenses are arguably more important than the camera body, and as you grow into the camera and gain shooting experience, you'll want to expand your lens line-up. The kit lens (comes with the camera) and camera is a good way to get used to the camera. You'll eventually want to expand to a telephoto zoom, like a 70-200, possibly a macro lens, and even a faster lens for low light, like a 50/1.8. Another way to go is a super-zoom. Tamron and Sigma both make relatively inexpensive 28-200 lenses which will give you a nice wide angle up to a good length telephoto. Good luck and enjoy.