Pets/Wildlife

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.

Rowdy is a 15-year-old mini dachshund. Rowdy was eight weeks old, when his owner, Nicki D’Souza, adopted him. Rowdy likes playing with his squeaker toys and taking walks around the neighborhood, and now that he is a senior, he enjoys lots of naps. Rowdy lives in Land O’ Lakes with D’Souza and has been a loyal companion through life’s many ups and downs.

Jack Olson, of Dade City, snapped this shot of a sandhill crane and its two youngsters in his backyard. Olson said his wife likes to feed the birds and squirrels at their home on the northeast shore of Lake Iola.

Ten-year-old Precious, a Lab-Border Collie mix, is absolutely crazy about water! Although she is reaching her golden dog years, she is still a playful puppy at heart. Precious lives with her proud owner, Kathleen Brunet, in Land O’ Lakes.

Donna Church snapped this photo of a wood stork at Zephyr Park in Zephyrhills. Wood storks forage mainly by wading in shallow water and can locate prey (mostly fish) by touch or sight. Wood storks are on the endangered species list, but the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in February proposed removing the bird from that list because it has recovered.