Best digital SLR question w/zoom lens

[piscatorially chllgd]

I'm in the market for my first digital SLR and an accompanying zoom lens. Looking for recommendations. Considering the Canon SX1 IS or the Nikon D50 or the like. Photos will be mostly of wildlife, fishing, hunting, and scenery (Apostle Islands, N. shore of lke superior, etc.) Where should a guy get started and what zoom lens will provide a very high quality photo? No clue what to look for in a zoom lens, so some help there, too please.

[Dbl]

Check out a few of these threads.

http://www.fishingminnesota.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/1850402/Zoom_lenses_Basic_s#Post1850402

http://www.fishingminnesota.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/1800562/Getting_a_new_camera#Post1800562

[sanka]

If I were buying a sub $1000 DSLR now, I would get the Canon T1i. It makes me drool just thinking about it.

[bottomdweller]

The people on this site really helped. We just purchase our first dslr. Bought a canon 30d demo which still came with the warranty and stuck most of the mony in the lens. Couldnt be happier so far.