Pets/Wildlife

Lorna Baker had fun watching the acrobatics of this red-bellied woodpecker on the bird feeder in her backyard, in Meadow Pointe in Wesley Chapel. Red-bellied woodpeckers are primarily a bird of the southeast, but in recent years have expanded their range to the north, as they adjust to life in suburbs and city parks. Despite its name, the belly is not often visible in the field.

These two felines — Peeta and Katniss — are 3-year-old siblings. They enjoy sharing toys and treats, and love washing each other’s faces, playing tag, wrestling, and curling up together for naps. Peeta and Katniss are the proud owners of Cathy and Roger Quackenbush of Land O’ Lakes.

Dennis Smith, of Land O’ Lakes, snapped a photo of this beauty — a pileated woodpecker — just one of four that he said has been coming to his yard to eat berries from a cherry laurel tree.

Scout has a very affectionate personality and must sit on her parents’ laps at all times, from the couch, to the kitchen table, to the office chair. She was adopted from the Tampa Bay Humane Society in 2018 and has been making her parents laugh since day one. One of her favorite ‘toys’ is the weekly Laker newspaper, where she likes to either lay on it, or use it as a surfboard and surf across the floor or couch. Scout lives with her proud parents, Shari and Dan Bresin, in Land O Lakes.

Beth Musgrove, of Zephyrhills, found a katydid on her car and said it refused to cooperate with the paparazzi that was taking its photo. Katydids are a family of insects that may also be called long-horned grasshoppers because of their super long antennae and are also known as leaf-hoppers. Many katydids resemble green leaves.

Hazel is a 5 year old chocolate Labrador. She is a wonderful family pet who loves to swim, play frisbee and even sing along with the piano. She is friendly toward all people and animals, and even has a sign hanging by her room that truthfully says, ‘Beware of dog kisses!’ Hazel lives with Elisabeth Cordrey in Land O’ Lakes.

Bonnie Caston, of Zephyrhills, has been watching a pair of American Kestrels in her backyard, and patiently waiting for the arrival of little ones. She snapped this photo as a young one that still has peach fuzz on its head decided to fledge the nest. The kestrel parents were keeping a close eye on their offspring.

In late April, Gracee was dumped at the Lakeland SPCA. She seemed to be a perfect fit for what Emma Pettit was looking for in a dog. Pettit has no idea of what Gracee’s life was before she was adopted, but she is a true sweetheart and loves a good game of tug-of-war. Within a few days, Gracee made herself at home with Pettit in Zephyrhills. True to a Schnauzer personality, Gracee is very protective, yet lovable. 

Darrell Thompson, of Long Lake Ranch in Lutz, caught this Canada goose mom and baby seeking some shade. Thousands of these ‘honkers’ migrate north and south each year, filling the sky with long V formations. 

Mya is a husky and is a little more than a year old. She is still a puppy so she is a bit ‘crazy.’ Her best friend is Terrance, a brindle terrier mix rescue and the gentlest dog. Mya and Terrance live with proud owner Ellen MacNeil, and dad Rick, in Land O’ Lakes.