Thanks for the reply! So what is the going rate for a lens? I saw a used Rebel T3 for $150 at my local camera store. The camera is around $400 new online. I am assuming it won't come with a lens.
Are the lenses standardized to fit regardless of brand? I do computers and with computers, form factor is the same regardless of brand.
There is something to be said for supporting your local camera store, but you should still investigate what is available online.
Snowbear has listed three excellent sources for used equipment. At first it will seem like too much information with no logical path for making a decision, but eventually things will begin to make sense.
If the local RebelT3 is shown with a lens, then you should assume that lens is included. The "original" lens it came with is probably the one you get as a used setup. They're not totally bad, and you can learn quite a bit from an inexpensive kit as you first start out. Learning the basics will be the same with the cheap camera as with an expensive camera.
For the type of photography you want to do, look for a short-to-mid-range zoom, say something like the 18-55mm. As you progress in the hobby and save up more money, then you can start looking at different lenses for specialized photography.
Besides; there are other things you will want to spend money on, such as a tripod, a more useful flash, etc.
BTW: you won't really need to bolt a tripod to the deck to do that series. Just stand in the same place each time, say in the corner of the railing, for instance, and the pictures will all turn out looking like they were shot from the same position.
