and like it.
I was about to buy the D90, but went to the 5000 becasue of movie ability (although it is NOT a great movie DSLR) and the flexible screen, which lets me into odd spots that are impossible to reach with the eyelevel viewfinder. (I take most shots with the eyelevel)

The 2010 pictures on our site at www.McCubbin.ca are with the D 5000, and the 2008/9 pictures with a Canon S3. Before that with a pocket point and shoot.

All the pictures are cut down to about 1024 pixels wide, so do not show the full definition of the Nikon.

On the lense issue, I can see that your having some Canon lenses makes you lean to Canon.
Makes sense BUT you must realise that the current Vibration Reduction (VR) lenses, with super zoom, are such an improvement that you will want one.
When taking pictures from a rolling boat, the VR is a great help.
I have the Nikon 18mm to 200 mm zoom. Whatever definition I lose with the super zoom is more than compensated for by the flexibility for composition.

Of course, you could start with a good Canon body, your old lenses, and add a modern super zoom VR later