I'd like to start making computer animated short videos and would like some easy to use software

I'm not talking about the cheesy office videos.
What I would like to do is create short videos about endangered species by scanning stuffed animals and using them to create a movie. It would be great if it included some natural backgrounds or could incorporate pictures from the internet as a "set".

I may be WAY over my head with this idea, and way beyond my PC's abilities, but thought I'd see what was available. Also looking to invest hundreds, not thousands of dollars as this would be a bit of a hobby project.

First time finding this forum, wish I had looked a long time ago, but until recently I just hung out on the home page.

Thanks!!