Pets/Wildlife

Ralph Soto saw this star spider at the Blue Jay Mobile Home Park in Dade City. Also known as a spiny-backed orb weaver, spiny orb weaver or spiny spider, this species is mostly harmless. Usually the spider’s large web will startle and annoy people, but the spiders pose no serious health risks. The spiny orb weaver spider lives on the edges of woodlands and shrubby gardens. They frequently live in nurseries, as well as citrus groves. The species is found in many parts of the world and is seen along the southeast coast of the United States and in California.

Holly is a very loving 6-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. She likes to go for walks to greet the neighbors. She also likes cookies, which is the reason she is now on a diet. Holly lives with her owners, Lee and Beverly Gonzales, in Lutz.

Patch is 14 ½ years old, and loves every human and animal. He has his own water dish, apart from his home’s other rescued cats, and it must be filled at all times. Patch was a rescue from Land O’ Lakes Animal Services at 12 weeks old. He likes to help to make the bed in his Zephyrhills home, with his human, Gracie Strope.

Sharon Thompson, of Wesley Chapel, caught this black racer peering out of a bush, while she was taking a walk. These snakes are common in grasslands, open woodlands and suburban areas. The racer often is found near water where prey is plentiful. A lively daytime predator with excellent vision, it is plain to see how this speedy, agile snake got its name as it quickly hunts down frogs, rodents, lizards, fish, insects and other snakes.

Nicole Magazu snapped a shot of this swallow-tailed kite over her house in Land O’ Lakes. She and her husband, Frank, enjoyed watching the bird’s graceful flight. Kites spend most of their time in the air, capturing and swallowing their food as they fly.

Sadie is 6 1/2 years old and is very caring and loving. She has a great personality, but is spoiled. She loves pulling all of her toys out and sunbathing in the Florida sun (whether it be through the window or laying on the screened patio). If you mention a walk, you better be ready to go because Sadie loves walks and becomes sad if she can’t go. Sadie hogs all the covers and pillows, and loves tummy rubs. Sadie’s family rescued her from a shelter when she was about 6 months old. She lives with Remy and Jennifer Burgunder in Land O’ Lakes.

 

Marisol Fontanez got up close and personal at the Blue Jay Mobile Home Park in Dade City, with this colorful dragonfly. Dragonflies are expert fliers. They can fly straight up and down, and hover like a helicopter.

 

 

 

 

Fontanez also snapped this photo of a dragonfly hitching a ride atop a turtle, at the Blue Jay Mobile Home Park in Dade City.

Always All That Jazz is a 7-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel that spent more than four years in a puppy mill before her rescue. “Jazz,” as her owners call her, has a desire to be held after a period of neglect. She enjoys long walks in the morning and loves car rides at any time. One of Jazz’s talents is dancing on her paws like a ballerina when food is offered to her. Jazz has become a loving companion to and lives with the Wes and Mary Mollard family in Wesley Chapel.

Leia is a 2-year-old miniature Australian Shepherd. She was the runt of the litter, born to her owner’s daughter and son-in-law’s dog, but is scrappy and keeps up with her brother, Clark, in backyard frolicking. Her name came from her preference for laying on a pink pillow, thus crowning her with the name Princess Leia. Leia likes long walks and dislikes being dressed in costumes, even Star Wars costumes. She anxiously awaits squirrel sightings in the backyard, while perched on the back of the sofa. Leia is a member of the Hamilton family in San Antonio.