Pets/Wildlife

‘Wild’ peacocks (also known as muster) have lived in Stuart Drawdy’s neighborhood for years, and now includes an albino. These two were spotted in front of a paint store on Wesley Chapel Boulevard, by Dollar General, in Wesley Chapel. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said it receives dozens of calls from residents about peacocks across the state, but the state considers them domestic birds, like chickens, and not wild birds.

Brandy is a Belgian Malinois shepherd/terrier mix. Her owners brought her home in August of 2016. She was a cute puppy then, and she has grown in to a real beauty. Brandy is big on athletics, and loves running, jumping (leaping off the sofa), tug of war, and long walks every morning on the boulevard. Don and Phyllis Cera, of Wesley Chapel, are Brandy’s proud owners.

 

Michele Connolly submitted this photo that her son, Ethan Connolly, took of a northern bobwhite (also known as a bobwhite quail and Virginia quail) on the family’s property, in Dade City.  Ethan is 12 years old and loves taking pictures of wildlife. Northern bobwhites live in open pine forests, overgrown fields, shrubby areas and grasslands.

This description offered by the organization, All About Birds, aptly describes these elegant birds: ‘Whether poised at a river bend or cruising the coastline with slow, deep wingbeats, the Great Blue Heron is a majestic sight. This stately heron, with its subtle blue-gray plumage, often stands motionless as it scans for prey or wades belly deep with long, deliberate steps. They may move slowly, but Great Blue Herons can strike like lightning to grab a fish or snap up a gopher. In flight, look for this widespread heron’s tucked-in neck and long legs trailing out behind.’ Herons are legally protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Mr. Bean is an English Springer Spaniel that was rescued from a puppy mill, along with his two brothers. While in a shelter, Mr. Bean was very ill and appeared to be depressed. Now, at 11 years old, he is a healthy, loving dog thanks to a foster program, his former foster mother, and the veterinarians at a local shelter. Mr. Bean seems to have a sixth sense about people and how they feel. Every night he spends time with his owners, Howard and Natalie Engel, on the couch, while they are watching TV or reading. Mr. Bean and the Engels reside in Country Walk in Wesley Chapel.

Kim Moore, of Land O’ Lakes, has had the pleasure of watching cardinals build a nest in one of her palm plants, three times since the beginning of the year. The two babies born in March, unfortunately, did not survive. Three babies also were born in June, and all three flew from the nest. The cardinals came back and settled in again in July.

 

 

 

Zoe was the best 45th anniversary gift ever for her owners, Siegfried and Linda Barry, of Land O’ Lakes. Zoe is a sweet, 1 ½-year-old piebald mini dachshund who loves being in the pool on ‘her float.’ She does her best to warm her family’s hearts each day.

Meagan Rathman-Urena, of Lutz, spotted this tiny gecko in her workplace. Normally found outside, geckos can range from .64 inches to 24 inches in length. Geckos have various patterns and colors. Most are nocturnal, but day geckos are usually active to nibble on insects, fruits and flower nectar.