Pets/Wildlife

Lillian Cucuzza, of Land O’ Lakes, was excited to see a male Indigo Bunting (bright blue) and a female bunting in her backyard. Look for Indigo Buntings in weedy and brushy areas, especially where fields meet forests. These birds love edges, hedgerows, overgrown patches and brushy roadsides.

Foster is a domestic shorthair cat that was adopted from the Broward County Humane Society at 2 months old. He was adopted alongside his brother, Coco. Through the years, the cats weathered the addition of three children, two dogs, and moving four times across state lines. Foster was a staple of the family until he disappeared in October 2018.

Searching went unanswered until 2 months later, when a woman found Foster after he had traveled almost 2 miles into a neighboring subdivision. The woman took him to the vet and had his microchip scanned, but the microchip included outdated information from three previous moves.

After making calls, mailing letters and eventually searching the Pasco County property appraiser’s website for the family name, Foster was returned safely to his home. Foster lives with Melissa Hernandez in Land O’ Lakes, who is very thankful to the woman who never gave up searching. Hernandez also wants to emphasize the importance of updating microchip information.

Steve Vinik and his wife frequently see large plecos (plcostomus) rise to the surface of the pond in their backyard, in the Lexington Oaks community in Wesley Chapel. Vinik said the fish appear to be upside down with their mouths open to the air, giving it a ‘creature from the black lagoon’ appearance. Plecos are well-known algae eaters and scavengers, and will eat almost anything. The couple also sees a variety of birds from cardinals to sandhill cranes.

Jiff Pop was given his name because he truly is a jumping ball of energy and fluffy hair. He was born in Brazil on June 2, 2017. Today, he weighs about 3.5 pounds. Jiff Pop is very obedient and charming, and loves to get all the attention when walking on the streets and beach. Jiff Pop performs a dramatic dance and gets excited every time he finishes using his toilet at home, to win his good boy prize. His mother, Marilena, would like to find him a bride someday and also for Jiff Pop to become a professional model. Jiff Pop’s proud owner is Marilena Cadais, of Lutz.

Calvin is almost 2 years old. His family rescued him right before Hurricane Irma. Calvin enjoys being petted, but only when he thinks it’s his idea. He loves to climb and run around the house as fast as he can — at 3 a.m. Calvin’s parents are Chynna and Samantha Bisconti, of Lutz.

Nicole Magazu snapped this photo of a mother sandhill crane taking a leisurely walk with her baby in Land O’ Lakes. After two years, the juvenile crane will reach sexual maturity and begin the search to find its own mate.

Ospreys nest in a mass of sticks on top of dead trees, atop power poles, on manmade nesting platforms, and sometimes on buoys, chimneys or other structures. The nests are most often used year after year and can get up to 10 feet high, as more nesting materials are added each breeding season. These two ospreys, in Country Walk in Wesley Chapel, were spotted by Sharon Thompson, in its nest on a light pole above the tennis court.

Sadie is a 4 ½-year-old Yorkie. She loves to chase little lizards, chew bully sticks, go for walks, and play with her best friend, Snowball, a Bichon Frise. Sadie’s parent is Sharon Riekki, of Land O’ Lakes, and Snowball’s parents are Maya Houston and Julie Riekki, also of Land O’ Lakes.

Lucy is 3 years old and patiently awaited the arrival of the Easter Bunny. Lucy lives with the Brucker family in Land O’ Lakes.

Woodstorks are the only stork native to North America. And, Sharon Thompson, of Country Walk in Wesley Chapel, gets to see them a lot. Due to a weak, almost nonfunctional voice box, Woodstorks rattle their tongues and clack their bills to communicate.