Pets/Wildlife

Bodega is a 20-year-old orange tabby cat. Her owner’s co-worker was moving and could not take Bodega with her so Janna Rolfe, of Wesley Chapel, gave her a home. Bodega has fallen in love with her new family. Bodega’s favorite thing to do is watch the birds at the bird feeder, from the screened-in lanai. She does not like any cat treats or people food — only dry cat kibble.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Theresa Sierra and her husband, Frank, live on Lake Thomas in Land O’ Lakes. This juvenile green heron seemed to pose for Theresa, for more than 5 minutes.

Carl, a 5-year-old Pomeranian-Chihuahua mix, was rescued from a shelter in Round Rock, Texas. She — yes ‘she’ — was adopted by a loving family and moved to Wesley Chapel. Carl welcomed two new ‘people puppies’ into her life when her owner had twin girls. Her favorite way to spend time is to chew the special shoes (with beads or glitter) in the boxes, and going to Disney. Carl’s proud owner is Caitlyn Allan, of Wesley Chapel. Note: The dog’s name is actually Ava, but the family began calling her Carl, after a character in ‘The Walking Dead’ series — and the name stuck.

Wood ducks perch and nest in trees, and are comfortable flying through woods. They can be seen in wooded swamps, marshes, streams, beaver ponds and small lakes. The ducks usually stick to wet areas with trees or extensive cattails. Janna Rolfe, of Wesley Chapel, snapped this photo of a male wood duck, also called a drake.

Dixie Mae, left, and Colton are Goldendoodles, and are going to turn 5 in July. They were womb-mates, separated the first year after birth and then reunited when Colton was in need of a new, loving home. They both love a green apple yogurt ‘cookie’ before breakfast every morning. Their favorite toys are a stuffed sloth and duck. Dixie Mae can solve a strategy board and can stand on and walk on just her hind legs. Colton loves to give warm hugs to everyone – a feat since he weighs more than 97 pounds. He also can toss a tennis ball as far as a toddler. The duo shares the title of residential squirrel patrol at the home of their owners, Kimberlie and Stephen Glogowski, of Land O’ Lakes.

A monarch butterfly use its eyes to locate flowers, its antennas to smell the nectar and the receptors in its feet to taste sweet substances. Adult monarchs feed on nectar and water by sipping on it using a sucking tube, called a proboscis, that lies coiled under its head when not in use. Fred Perkins, of Zephyrhills, snapped this photo on his daughter’s property.

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.