Pets/Wildlife

A blue jay stopped by for a drink at the Lutz home of Karen Whitenton. She said it’s by chance to be able to snap a photo of a blue jay because they fly from place to place very quickly and don’t usually ‘hang around.’

Echoes is a 6-year-old Boston Terrier. He loves to get treats, and will dance on his hind legs, as well as spin in circles to earn them. Echoes’ proud owners are Rob, Christine and Brooklyn Holtzman, of Land O’ Lakes.

Geoffrey Schrock, of Dade City, came across this Eastern Diamondback on a recent bike ride through the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve – West Tract. This species usually inhabits dry sandy areas, palmetto or wiregrass flatwoods, pinewoods, coastal dune habitats, or hardwood hammocks. They generally avoid wet areas but sometimes live along the edges of swamps.

Mickey is a 5-month-old goldendoodle. He is in training and working hard to be a service dog. Mickey enjoys going to Petco and visiting with his trainer, Slyvie, and loves playing fetch in the backyard. Mickey is shown here with his mom, Melissa Murphy. Other proud family members include dad Justin Teisch, brother Gavin Murphy, and sister Gabriella Teisch, of Wesley Chapel.

Kathy Mullen snapped this photo, in front of her shop, ‘The Snappy Gator,’ on Land O’ Lakes Boulevard. The sandhill crane was attempting to dry out after a recent rain.

Winston (Winnie) is a 5-year-old goldendoodle. His favorite spot is on the sofa where he has a direct line of sight to everything happening in the kitchen. Winston’s proud owner is Marissa Howe, of Lutz.

Myron Patterson, of Zephyrhills, snapped this photo of a true green anole in his garden. This reptile is sometimes called the American chameleon because it can change color, but it is not a true chameleon. The green anole changes color because of changes in temperature, humidity, health and mood, not to blend into its background.

Little Bear is a Cairn terrier, one of the oldest terrier breeds originating in the Scottish Highlands, and one of the earliest working dogs. The breed was given the name Cairn, because its function was to hunt and chase quarry between the cairns in the highlands. Little Bear is about 14 inches tall and weights about 14 pounds. He was born in Oldsmar in November 1999, which makes him one of the older dogs at more than 19 years of age. Cairn terriers are generally healthy and live on average 12 to 17 years. Little Bear loves to ride in the car, go to the dog park, check out the girls, dig holes and chase anything that runs. He does not like it when he doesn’t get his way, and marches to a different drummer. Little Bear loves his two best friends, William and Joyce Fields, of Land O’ Lakes.

Nicole Magazu and her husband, of Land O’ Lakes, were walking on a Sunday morning and spotted these squirrels on an oak tree. It seems the creatures were also enjoying the cooler weather.