Pets/Wildlife

Katrina Stitt snapped this photo of a snowy egret at Anclote River Park. These egrets usually wade in shallow water to spear fish and other small aquatic animals. While they employ a sit-and-wait technique to capture their food, sometimes they are much more animated, running back and forth through the water with their wings spread, chasing their prey.

Medina (Mimi) and Abruzzi (Brewski) are both 17 years old and were found on their owner’s doorstep at 3 weeks old and scared. They both have brought much joy and they radiate sunshine when a family member is ill. Unfortunately, Brewski passed away recently due to diabetes, and his sweet little sister Mimi is very needy now. Their owner, Sharon Cantrell of Land O’ Lakes, said there are just no words for a pet’s love.

Christopher Horton, of Thonotosassa, captured this photo of a mourning dove at Lettuce Lake Conservation Park in Tampa. The mourning dove’s soft call, which gives the bird its name, is a sad-sounding ‘cooOOoo-woo-woo-woooo,’ and one of the most familiar bird sounds. Those unfamiliar with this plaintive, hooting vocalization often think they are hearing a Great Horned Owl or other owl species.

Buddy is 9 years old and the best little puppy in the world, according to his owner. This fluffy canine has had cataract surgery in one eye and also has diabetes — he has to have two vaccines a day. Buddy lives with Donna Guillaume, in Spring Hill, and makes her very happy every day.

Joanne and Gilbert Dionne, of Dade City, spotted several boat-tailed grackles at the Frank Howard Beach Park in Tarpon Springs. The birds eagerly watched the Dionnes as they ate lunch. The boat-tailed grackle gets its name from the way it holds its tail in flight — the tail feathers form a V shape, like the keel of a boat.

Koa is a 2 ½-year-old Golden Retriever. He was born in Hawaii and moved to Florida when he was 6 months old. His Hawaiian name translates to ‘strong and fearless,’ which he is. Koa is a typical Golden: He loves everybody, especially his owner. Koa loves playtime at the dog park with his pals, Bailey and Lucky. He likes apples, bananas and oranges, but not pineapples. For dessert, Koa gets a marrow bone. Koa lives in Land O’ Lakes with his proud owner, Mike Rouhas.

Brenna Hicks snapped this photo of a family of gallinules on East Lake in Lake Padgett Estates, in Land O’ Lakes. Common gallinules are swimming birds that frequently hold their wings up, so the wingtips stick up on the back. These marsh birds reside in freshwater or brackish marshes, ponds and lakes with a mix of submerged, floating and emergent vegetation and open water.

Jorge is 10 years old (all black) and Henry is 7 years old (black and white). Jorge loves his mama’s socks and Henry is obsessed with plastic and anything fluffy. Both felines live for ‘cookie time’ — their Temptations treats. Jorge loves to play hide-and-seek and Henry loves to do anything Jorge does. They both love to cuddle with their mama any chance they get. Jorge also is 7 months cancer-free! Henry’s nickname is ‘teefies’ because of his little vampire fangs. These two felines live with their proud owner, Dianna Pinkerton, in Land O’ Lakes.

Stephanie Flater caught this sandhill crane meandering through her yard in Zephyrhills. These tall, gray-bodied, crimson-capped birds breed in open wetlands, fields and prairies across North America. Mates display to each other with exuberant dances, with a gangly grace. Sandhill cranes are similar in plumage across their range, but they vary in size. The ‘Lesser’ Sandhill Crane that breeds in the Arctic is the smallest; the largest form, the ‘Greater’ Sandhill Crane, breeds in the northern U.S.; and the nonmigratory ‘Florida’ Sandhill Crane is intermediate in size.

Ruby is between 7 years to 9 years old and was a serendipitous rescue when her owners (who had been looking for a perfect-fit pet) found her at a tiny house show where rescue dogs were available for adoption. Ruby enjoys constant attention and petting, belly rubs, and the occasional human food treat. She also loves to go for walks around the neighborhood and sniff her heart out. Ruby does not like the mean ol’ v-e-t (don’t say it out loud!), nail trims, the doorbell, and when you stop petting her. She is the ‘cleanup crew’ expert and will lick the floor and pick up any food droppings. Ruby is the nicest, low-riding, brindle ‘baked potato’ on legs you could ever meet. She lives in Land O’ Lakes with her proud owner, Alison Nocturne.