Best lens for nature from Nikon?

So, I'm going to get a Nikon D3100, and I love taking nature shots, anything outside in highlight. I'm going to want a new lens for it though, somewhere under 300 dollars. It needs to be auto focus. What would be the best lens I can get for the Nikon D3100 other than the lens it comes with?

I was maybe thinking this one, but i don't know if it will fit.
http://www.digitalrev.com/product/nikon-af-s-nikkor-50mm/MTE3MTg_A

Under $300? Maybe the 55-200mm VR.

It will fit, but it's too short for nature photography and too long for landscapes.

"Nature" covers a very wide range.

That lens covers little or none of that range - it is best suited to portraits.

If you want closeup shots of bugs and flowers you need a macro lens
For animal shots that you can approach within, say, 50 metres then a 70-250 (or thereabouts) zoom
For shots of birds and more distant unapproachable animals then a 400mm or 500mm prime would be best.

If you shoot insects, get macro lens such as tamron 90mm or nikon 85mm macro.
If you shoot wildlife (large animals), get telephoto lens such as 70-300
If you shoot bird, get super telephoto lens 400mm and above such as sigma 200-500, nikon 80-400 etc.

For your budget, you can only get nikon 70-300 (non-vr), 55-200 vr, tamron 70-300, sigma 70-300.

What about nature do you want to capture? Rolling landscapes? Trees? Hedges? Zoos? Your 18-55mm lens is perfect for those already. If you want to capture small insects as they hover over flowers then you may want to invest on a macro lens. If you want to go to a safari and shoot lions under the trees a mile away then you will need a long telephoto lens, at least 300mm. It's all about what you want to shoot, how far and how big in the picture you want them to appear.

http://keerok-photography.blogspot.com/2011/05/lenses-so-many-of-them-there-is-no-best.html