Hello again, Tirthendu Dey, Thanks for the confirmation that Kolkata and Calcutta are the same. "Coming back to the bird issue. I tried posting photos but it's not displaying." What file format are you using to post your photos? I submit fairly compact JPG files, many of which are only 1000 pixels wide. Incidentally, I may have already mentioned this, but you can click on the photos here to see a large version and then click on the "X" in the upper righthand corner of the large version to close it. I use concrete remesh wire to make "zinnia cages" to help support my zinnias in our considerable Kansas winds. Those same cages, or something very similar, could be used to support some sort of fabric netting to exclude birds. You mentioned mosquito nets as a possibility. Another possibility would be Bird Netting (that is a link to offerings from our Amazon). I don't know if you have an Amazon, but you might have a company that sells Bird Netting. I make my "zinnia cages" from concrete remesh wire that comes in large rolls. I think the roll I used was 100-foot long by 8 feet wide. This was part of a roll I was using. We should try to figure out how you can submit photos here. I click on "Photo" in the message editing line and navigate to a directory on my computer where I have suitable photos and I click on one and click "Open" to trigger its transfer to here. This potentially changing ominous behavior of birds is almost like a science fiction movie plot. More later. ZM (not associated with any product or vendor mentioned or linked)

jodi - longtime Canon user altho it's been a while since I upgraded. You can't go wrong with a DSLR for this trip of a lifetime. You won't want to be burdened with a variety of lens but there are some with a range of coverage that should work. Do expect it to be a bit of extra weight though and definitely a lot more than a good regular camera. Thinking as I type, have you heard anything about the Panasonic Lumix series? My Canon camera bag was very heavy! With any new camera there is a learning curve, as I'm sure you know, so I would get one early enough to be comfortable with it by the time you leave. No matter what you decide, enjoy the trip! Here is a link that might be useful: camera

I have been doing ok with this. Homer barked and called her all night last night. He ran all over the lot looking for her everywhere. He came in at 6 this morning and searched the house. Then he went back out. Cindy has never had a dog before Homer and she got really attached. Homer was dropped at our house as a big puppy. He moved onto our front porch and wouldn't leave. It was in the spring time so we had the windows open and he could hears us watching TV and talking. Cindy tried to take him a bowl of water but he growled at her. A few days later Homer got under the window and was whining. Cindy wanted to try again so this time she took him a big pan of leftover spaghetti. Homer loved it. When he finished that pan he picked it up and brought it back to Cindy for more. He has been ours ever since. We decided that Homer needed a companion so we went to the shelter and got one. But the one we picked turned out to be dangerous so we had to take her back. She was a loving dog but she had to be the only dog. Then we found a dog like Sophie but a little older thru PetFinder. We went to meet someone about the dog but with the time difference (we're on central time, Chattanooga is on Eastern) we missed each other. But while we were at the meet up spot, a car came in and stopped and put out a sign advertising free puppies. We looked at them and picked Sophie. She turned out to be a perfect companion for Homer. Except she wouldn't stay in the dog lot. No matter what we did she managed to escape. She wouldn't go far. She always stayed near Homer. Sophie was with us for 3 and a half years. She looked much the same grown up. It rained pretty good all day today so burial will be tomorrow. Thanks for listening and the support. Pooh Bear

I LOVE Australian Shepherds (and Border Collies), but I would never get either one because of their high activity needs. I know myself, and I wouldn't be able to work with a high energy dog enough. As others have said, if you want a dog that is not high energy, an Aussie is NOT the dog for you. Just because what you saw was a smaller version, does not mean they have any less energy or will be any less destructive without the proper amount of activity and training. The Aussie (as he is lovingly nicknamed) is a very active dog that needs a great deal of exercise on a daily basis to prevent him from become bored or frustrated and developing destructive habits. Because of their high energy level, combined with high intelligence, Aussies need to be given a "job" to perform, be it shepherding the children, herding livestock or competing in dog events. One of the most frequent reasons Aussies are turned over to rescue groups is because their owners didn't realize how much energy the breed has, and weren't willing to channel that energy through training. Aussies are also quite demanding of their owners' time and attention and want to be constantly with them, following them from room to room in the house, and going along in the car or truck on errands. They can be highly territorial and protective of their masters' possessions, which can cause serious difficulties unless controlled with proper training.