Pets/Wildlife

Vinny, left, is about 8 years old or 9 years old. He is a rescue (breeder castoff) that was living on the streets of Lake County. Vinny loves people and his tail wags in a perfect circle in moments of pure joy. Franky also is a breeder castoff from a kill shelter in Taylor County. His quirky paw that turns outward and his pokey snaggle tooth make him very distinctive! Franky was shy and underweight, but now is a strong 9-pound ball of fun. Vinny and Franky live with their proud owner, Jill Amore, in Lutz.

As its name suggests, the marsh rabbit is found only in marshy habitats, where water is plentiful. The marsh rabbit is slightly smaller and darker than the eastern cottontail, and its tail forms a brown tuft (no cottontail). These rabbits take to water readily and swim well, often for considerable distances. They eat a variety of wetland plants, including water hyacinth, grasses, cattail and herbs. Jennifer Cohn, of Wesley Chapel, snapped this portrait of a marsh rabbit.

Ben is a Border Collie-Aussie mix rescue. He loves everyone and is in training to join his brother as a therapy dog. Ben lives with his mom, Mary Pietropaoli in Land O’ Lakes.

This pine warbler was trying hard to get to the bird feeder at Karen Whitenton’s home, but a squirrel got there first. A pine warbler is well-named as it spends most of its time in pine trees (in pine forests or in deciduous woods with pine mixed in). These warblers are found in similar habitats in winter, but also visit backyards and come to bird feeders to eat seeds and suet. Whitenton lives in the Willow Bend subdivision in Lutz.

Linny was found seven years ago covered in lint in a dryer vent hose. Back then, he was only the size of his owner’s hand. Linny was born with a missing eye, but his family knew they had to keep him. Whether he is sleeping on the couch or chasing geckos outside, Linny has a quirky personality that always prompts laughter. Michele Wyatt and her family, in Wesley Chapel, are so happy that Linny chose them.

This mockingbird found a place to perch and rest on a budding branch of a crape myrtle tree in Steve Vinik’s yard in Lexington Oaks, Wesley Chapel. The Northern Mockingbird (state bird of Florida) is common in backyards, but doesn’t often visit feeders. You can encourage mockingbirds to visit your yard by keeping an open lawn and providing fruiting trees or bushes, including mulberries, hawthorns, and blackberry brambles.

Grai (Grigio) celebrated his seventh birthday in January. He is an extremely friendly feline that greets his family and friends when they come to the house. Nicole Magazu and her husband, of Land O’ Lakes, rescued Grai three years ago.

Sheila Spradlin snapped these shots of African Brown Geese at Zephyr Park in Zephyrhills. The African Goose or African Brown Goose is a breed of domestic goose, and is a hybrid of a Swan Goose and Chinese Goose, according to BeautyOfBirds.com. Two varieties are found in North America, the colored variety known as either grey or brown, and the white variety. The adult male makes a high, long double-syllable honk that is said to sound like a tug boat.

 

 

Dudley is a 6-year-old Pomeranian mix that likes to dress up for special occasions. He is loved by his owners, the Lohr family, in Land O’ Lakes.

Karen Whitenton, of Lutz, often sees a Mallard duck family in her yard eating sunflower seeds the birds have dropped. However, this time she caught them in the Willow Bend subdivision pond looking underwater for things to eat.