Pets/Wildlife

The red-shouldered hawk, referred to as a ‘hawk of the woodland’ (according to Audubon.org), is often heard before it is seen. Its clear, whistled calls are conspicuous, especially in the spring. Vic Anthony, of Land O’ Lakes, snapped this red-shouldered hawk atop a lamppost, which made for a perfect lookout.

This is 2-year-old “Pouf,” a chunky, cute White’s tree frog. She loves to eat crickets and hang out with her Cuban tree frog friends. Pouf lives in Wesley Chapel with her caretaker Sam Provda.

At certain times of the year, the male cardinal feeds his mate and it looks like he is kissing her. Karen Whitenton, of Lutz, enjoys watching the cardinals that come to her bird feeders throughout the year.

Finn found his way to his John and Kathy Goolsby’s home around February 2019, when he was about 6 months old. After the Goolsby family tried to advertise the cat as a ‘lost pet,’ Finn decided he already had found his ‘pawrents.’ Finn loves being inside but he does have a kitty door so that he can hang out on the porch and chase lizards, spy on the birds and squirrels, or just lay by the pool. Finn is the alarm clock in the household, too, and wakes his owners up at the exact time every morning to let them know it’s breakfast time. Finn lives with the Goolsby family in Land O’ Lakes.

Doris Moore likes to take photos of the wildlife that appears near the backyard pond, at her home in Wesley Chapel. Here, a great blue heron snatches a snake from the water.

Puddles is about 16 weeks old and a bulldog/shepherd mix. Her owners named her after she left too many puddles in the house on her way to being house-broken. Puddles is loving her new forever home with Summet Underwood in Land O’ Lakes.

Theresa Sierra was sitting on her dock on Lake Thomas in Land O’ Lakes when she spotted what she thought was a very large duck. Upon taking a closer look, Sierra realized it was a brown pelican that was very photogenic. It circled her dock a few times before departing.

Nacho celebrated his fourth birthday in August. His favorite thing to do with his family is to ride in the car. Nacho lives in Land O’ Lakes with his parents, Danielle and Rich Stitt, and his siblings, Mercedes,  Luke and Janelle.

Doris Moore snapped this anhinga snatching its breakfast in the pond behind her house, in the Northwood Community in Wesley Chapel.

Oakley is a 10-month-old English cream golden retriever puppy. She is fun, loving and energetic. Her favorite activities include playing fetch on the beach and swimming in the ocean on boat days. Oakley is very welcoming, as she gives each and every person of the house a 6 a.m. wake-up call, which includes loud barks, tail wagging, and enough drooling kisses for a lifetime. Oakley lives in Land O’ Lakes with her owner Sophia Galan and family.