Pets/Wildlife

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.

Randi Grainger is a photographer/videographer who enjoys taking little odd photos of wildlife, nature and whatnot, around the house. Grainger spotted this yellow rat snake on his property off Old Pasco Road, in Wesley Chapel. Adult rat snakes primarily eat mice, rats, squirrels and birds, as well as bird eggs. They are a common predator on wood duck eggs. Juvenile rat snakes eat small frogs, lizards and small rodents. These snakes are largely nonvenomous.

Poppy is a 2-year-old Boston puggle. She is known for her crazy amount of energy and she lights up any room she runs into. Poppy loves all toys, especially the kind she can destroy in under a minute! She loves car rides and enjoys long walks with her owners. Poppy likes to have a ton of fun at the local dog parks, too. Poppy’s lucky parents are Jesse and Kathryn Routier, of Wesley Chapel.

Rachel Marietta took this striking photo of an anhinga near her home in Wesley Chapel, around Oak Creek. The word anhinga comes from the Brazilian Tupi language and means ‘devil bird’ or ‘snake bird.’ The anhinga, sometimes called darter, American darter, water turkey or snake bird, is a water bird of the warmer parts of the Americas.

This is Opte’mus Prime, formerly known as Grimm. Opte’mus was adopted from the Tampa Bay Humane Society 2 1/2 years ago. He is 6 years old and is a mix of many breeds. He loves his naps in comfy places under the covers (of course), as well as long walks and car rides. Recently, he learned to garden. Opte’mus has excellent skills as a digger. Also, he stays on watch to secure the garden’s perimeter from lizards. He keeps his family company when they need it the most, in his own special way. Opte’mus is a good boy, and lives with Paula Jeffferson and family in Zephyrhills.