Pets/Wildlife

Bud and Sweetie love to visit the Easter Bunny at The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel.Their proud owner is Vicky McShane, of Wesley Chapel.

A couple of sandhill cranes visited the Treasure Lake neighborhood, in Land O’ Lakes. These birds are usually very friendly, according to Betsy Crisp, who snapped the photo.

Sarah Shannon, of Land O’ Lakes, caught her three pets being nice to each other, taking an afternoon nap together. Snoozing are Sundae, a 3-year-old English bulldog; 1-year-old Kenny and 4-year-old Kingsley.

Lillian Cucuzza, of Land O’ Lakes, has had male and female goldfinches hanging around her feeder, and said the birds are finally turning their beautiful yellow colors. The male goldfinch is bright yellow with a black cap on his head. Note: the background on the photo is not edited out, but is due to the aperture on the camera Cucuzza used.

Simon, who speaks with a British accent, is 7 years old and is the best little Yorkie. He is not a barker unless someone is at the door or if you mention the word ‘mail.’ Simon enjoys watching the birds come to the bird feeder, and his favorite treat is baby carrots. Simon’s proud parents are Beth and Ray Ross, of Land O’ Lakes.

Betsy Crisp saw this vulture standing proudly over his discovery in front of the emergency gates to Magnolia Point in Land O’ Lakes. Crisp suspects the soft shell turtle was probably hit by a car.

Cheryl Fernandez snapped this pileated woodpecker eating termites, in the vicinity of Hanna Road and Sunset Lane in Lutz.

Duke is a 3-year-old mastiff pit mix. He loves his new home with Nadia and Harold Green, of Lutz.

Marie Hammer snapped this photo as an anhinga dries out its feathers after diving in Lake Thomas, at The Preserve at Lake Thomas, in Land O’ Lakes. Unlike other birds, the anhinga does not have oil in its feathers, which allows it to dive deeper.