Pets/Wildlife

Mother duck and her babies emerged from their nesting place in a patch of mondo grass to visit the pond behind the Lexington Oaks home of Steve and Char Vinik, in Wesley Chapel. As the photographer approached slowly, the ducks went on high alert and daddy duck went scurrying across the pond, possibly to provide a distraction.

Dude Lee is shy, but he loves to play with other dogs, and to go for car rides. Although Dude’s mom rescued him from Pasco County Animal Services, Dude’s dad is his favorite human. Dude lives in Lutz with his family – Victor, Vanesa, Gabriela, Angelica and Daisy (the family’s other dog).

Kona’s ear reflects her silly personality. She loves walks, treats, her people, and chasing lizards and squirrels. Kona enjoys attention and has to be near her family all the time. Kona lives with her mom Tracey Canard, dad and brothers, along with a cat, tortoise and gecko, in Wesley Chapel.

Egrets are herons that have white or buff plumage. Scott MacKay snapped this photo of an egret at his ‘retreat’ in Concord Station, in Land O’ Lakes. Who says humans are the only ones that have bad hair days?

Meeka, left, and Mojito are best buds, along with their canine sisters. They like to groom each other, play, and then snuggle. Meeka and Mojito live with their proud owner, Carol Scharfeld, in Lutz.

The osprey, or more specifically the western osprey, is a large raptor also known as a sea hawk, river hawk or fish hawk. It is a fish-eating bird of prey with a dive speed of 30 mph. Sharon Thompson, of Wesley Chapel, saw this osprey apparently seeking a meal, in Country Walk.

Brody is a 1-year-old Boykin Spaniel. These spaniels were bred to hunt turkeys and wild birds in the state of South Carolina. This breed was so loved, it was named the state dog of South Carolina. Boykins love to swim and have webbed feet. Of course they love to play fetch with any object you throw! Brody lives with his proud owners, Kevin and Karen Kelly, in Lutz.

Karen Whitenton sees Great Blue Herons on a regular basis on the pond behind her house in Lutz, but this one caught her eye as it was drying its wings. The bird would shift and change position every 30 seconds or so.

When Mr. Cat sees a camera or cellphone pointed in his direction, he will stop and pose, acting as if he is the top cat in Hollywood. He lives with his proud owner, Leigh Love, in Wesley Chapel.