Pets/Wildlife

Male and female bluebirds built a nest inside an old-fashioned metal pump in the backyard of Sue Forster’s home, in Lutz. Five little bluebirds were found inside the nest. As of June 7, all the babies had feathers, too. Forster said it’s been great fun to watch the babies as they were fed every day and to see them grow. The bluebird parents didn’t seem to mind the human interaction, as Forster said she checked the nest most days and it didn’t scare the birds away.

Basil Pepperoni Blethen was born in Louisiana and taken in by the wonderful group of people from the Southeast Beagle Rescue, who helped connect Basil to his forever parents, in 2018. He loves walks with mom and dad, playing tug-of-war, shredding paper, eating ice cubes, and his three feline siblings: Mauser, Rosie and Luna. If asked, Basil would rate his life 11 bones out 10 bones…can’t say it’s been too ruff! Basil lives in Wesley Chapel with his parents, Courtney and Chad Blethen.

Martina Vazquez, of Concord Station in Land O’ Lakes, said her Ring system told her that someone was at the door, but when she got there, no one was around. She looked back at her Ring footage and found this creature!

Elsa is about 6 years old and likes to climb this particular tree in the woods. She was only a puppy when she was rescued by her owner, Erik Texter, of Land O’ Lakes.

Nicole Magazu, of Land O’ Lakes, saw this mother duck with her duckling, exploring the backyard and swimming in the backyard pond. Magazu said it was very relaxing to watch the pair. Mottled Ducks are ‘dabbling ducks’ that feed at the surface or tip up to reach submerged vegetation. They rarely dive unless being pursued by a predator.

Taz is a sweet, friendly, 2-year-old Siberian Husky mix. He loves to learn new tricks and help his mom in the classroom. Students use a tablet with a doggie camera app that has a two-way communicator to read books to Taz and to teach him about what they are learning. He greets the students in the morning by perking up his ears and giving a friendly ‘yip.’ Taz lives with his mom, Bryndi Colwell, in Zephyrhills.

Kathi Boyle submitted this photo of a pileated woodpecker that her friend, Dennis Phillips, took in the San Antonio/Saint Joe area. A pileated woodpecker is known to symbolize loyalty, determination and steady work toward a goal.

Kira is a 14-year-old lab that likes short walks. Two years ago, she became blind, but she still loves to browse around the house, specifically in the kitchen. Kira lives in Country Walk in Wesley Chapel with her mom, Monica Rodriguez, and her human brother.

While retrieving golf balls he had hit on his Quail Hollow wooded lot, in Wesley Chapel, Mark Peacock discovered this newborn. In spite of many healthy oak trees on the lot, the doe chose a dead tree spotted with mold to provide camouflage for her fawn. By dusk, both doe and fawn were gone.

Jack is a 15-year-old mixed breed. He is a rescue originally from Kentucky. Jack has moved around a bit during his life with his owners, but recently moved to their present home in Connerton. Jack suffered a stroke earlier this year, and his owners weren’t sure if he would pull through, but Jack’s a fighter and never gave up. He is doing remarkably well. Jack lives with John and Maureen Fitzgerald in Land O’ Lakes.