Hey, very nice pics for the beggining. I would really suggest when you purchase a camera, one with at least 3 megapixels and really good macro, (at least 3 inches). That is just the way I started, with a inexpensive camera taking pictures of anything I could, and its really the best way to do it.
Macro makes all the difference when you want to take extreme closeups for things like; snake identification, and that beautiful flower you want to give to someone, but its illegal to pick it (lol).
Here is a photo (my first one to be published)
And here is a Macro shot
Let us know how you do with the photography,
Lu