Pets/Wildlife

Charley and Lucy are the spoiled fur babies of Faye and Wayne Parker, of Land O’ Lakes. Charley likes to chase lizards on the lanai, while Lucy enjoys the sunshine.

Nicole Magazu, of Land O’ Lakes, caught these juvenile limpkin siblings just hanging out together. Limpkins specialize in eating apple snails, which they hunt both day and night, and they often leave telltale piles of snail shells at the edges of freshwater wetlands where hunting is good. 

Bear is an 8 ½-year-old Chesapeake Bay retriever/border collie mix and a certified service animal. When Bear is not working, he likes riding on the canoe and having his owners paddle him around Lake Myrtle and going shopping and to restaurants. When at home, Bear is a trusty companion, doing whatever his owners do. Bear’s favorite pastime is opening daily packages that arrive because he thinks they are presents for him! Bear lives with his parents, Wendy and Carl Osborne, in Land O’ Lakes.

Joanne Dionne, of Dade City, captured this photo of a seagull perfectly perched on a log at Green Key Beach in New Port Richey. A seagull is the only seabird that can walk on land as easily as it paddles in the water and soars in the wind. 

Barry White snapped this photo of a great blue heron preparing to eat a water snake, in Land O’ Lakes, off Collier Parkway. Great blue herons on the hunt wade slowly or stand statue-like, stalking fish and other prey in shallow water or open fields. Watch for the lightning-fast thrust of the neck and head as the birds stab with their strong bills.

Penny is a 3-month old red lab. She was born in Pennsylvania, but now happily resides in sunny Florida. Penny enjoys playing with her toys, going for leisurely walks, and eating treats. While still young, she’s already learned commands like ‘sit,’ ‘stay’ and ‘lay down.’ Penny hopes to grow up and someday be a certified therapy dog so she can support students in schools. Penny’s proud owner is Stasi Roop, of Zephyrhills.

Fabio is an 8-year-old Yorkie who loves the outdoors, but is not too fond of our hot days of summer. He loves cooling off in his own pool. Fabio loves chasing squirrels and birds. He’s never far from his momma’s side, and he’s very sweet, lovable and friendly to all he comes in contact with. Fabio lives with his human, Jackie Arendes, in Wesley Chapel.

Tom Hammen, of Dade City, snapped this photo of a black-bellied whistling duck that appears to seek shelter from the heat in a tree at Zephyr Park. On the other hand, whistling ducks were formerly known as tree ducks, and a few, such as the black-bellied waterfowl, actually nest in trees.

Zeus, a Maine coon, who weighs about 20 pounds, has been with John Cuevas and Christine Inge for six years. Zeus’ new best friend is Cheeto, a 4-month-old feral cat found living outside at a trailer park. Cheeto at first was very afraid of people and also of Zeus. But Cheeto has acclimated wonderfully and trusts the members of his family. These two feline friends live with their parents in Land O’ Lakes.

Bonnie Caston, of Zephyrhills, enjoys watching a pair of roseate spoonbills that she sees daily in her backyard. Spoonbills forage, roost and nest in groups often with other ibises, herons and egrets.