Pets/Wildlife

Sharon Thompson, on a recent stroll, snapped this photo of a luna moth in Country Walk, in Wesley Chapel. The luna moth is part of group commonly known as giant silk moths. It has lime-green colored wings and a white body. This moth’s wingspan can stretch 4 1/2 inches, which is about the same length as an iPhone.

Peanut and Daisy celebrated their first birthday on Jan. 18. They are both rescues from The Humane Society of Tampa Bay. They are amazing, smart, caring and loving, and look after one another. Peanut and Daisy live with their parents, Dianne and Fred Rodriguez, in Land O’ Lakes.

Coco is a female, tortoise shell (‘tortie,’ for short). She loves to follow her owner around all day, especially now that her ‘mom’ works from home. Affectionate yet reclusive, Coco is a quiet girl that prefers a small circle. Her favorite activities are chasing lizards on the porch, napping, and playing with her catnip toys. Coco lives with Mary McElwee in Wesley Chapel.

Baylie is a rescue pup and is now 14 years old. She is a little troublemaker, even in her old age. Baylie is a very strong-willed, happy-go-lucky dog. She loves laying outside and rubbing her nose in the dirt. Baylie’s health hasn’t been the best because of cancer, but she keeps on fighting. She loves her family just as much as they love her. Baylie lives with Tiffany Hardy in Wesley Chapel.

Lillian Cucuzza, of Land O’ Lakes, spotted a Northern Harrier at Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland. This one caught a lizard and perched right in front of her to eat it. The harrier is a bit different from other hawks as they have a white band where its tail begins from the body, and they have a face that almost resembles an owl.

Reba McKenzie is a 1-year-old toy poodle. She is as sweet as she is cute. Reba has a fun personality and is smart. She loves to play with her big sister Sweet Pea, a 10-year-old toy poodle. Reba loves to carry a stick or golf ball on her daily walks around the neighborhood. Reba lives with Gina Kriegisch in Land O’ Lakes.

Theresa Sierra, of  Land O’ Lakes, said this painted bunting every year comes by her bird feeder at her home in Lake Thomas. The male bunting is vividly colored and the female is mostly green with a hint of yellow. People used to capture the males and keep them in bird cages to be sold, but that practice now is illegal.

Two-year-old kitty Ashley was ‘rescued’ by her brother Sagan, after Sagan spotted her in the backyard. Ashley not only is a purr-fect kitty, but she came with a smiley face on her side! Now, Sagan and Ashley spend a lot of time cooing and playing together. Ashley talks constantly and gives kisses. These kitties’ owners, Sheri and John Thrasher, of Wesley Chapel, spend a lot of time smiling at the two of them. Sheri said Ashley is the best thing that happened to them in 2020.

This white-tailed deer was in Sharon Thompson’s backyard in Country Walk in Wesley Chapel. She snapped the photo when the deer stopped to look at her. White-tailed deer are herbivores, feeding primarily on twigs and leaves, but their diet also includes acorns, fruits and mushrooms. Plants attractive to deer include cross vines, Hercules club, persimmons, sourwood, redbud, buttonbush, ash, tupelo, gum trees and beautyberry.