Pets/Wildlife

Cathy Vitone caught this gator lurking in the grass in her backyard, in Land O’ Lakes. Alligators have inhabited Florida’s marshes, swamps, rivers and lakes for many centuries, and are found in all 67 counties, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Never feed an alligator and keep your distance if you see one.

Brenna Hicks snapped this waterfowl photo on East Lake in Land O’ Lakes. The blue and black bill identifies it as a little blue heron. Usually slow and methodical in its foraging, this heron walks very slowly in shallows or stands still waiting for prey to approach.

Christopher Horton snapped this reflection photo of three turtles on a log at the Morris Bridge Road Preserve. The photo is actually upside down….reflection on top, real turtles on the bottom.

Nicole Magazu noticed this cormorant sitting on a light pole appearing to enjoy a beautiful, sunny day in Land O’ Lakes. Cormorants’ short wings make them incredibly agile swimmers. Some cormorants also are known for their ability to use rocks as tools to help them open the shells of prey they have captured.

 

Janet Rice, of Land O’ Lakes, snapped a photo of a black swallowtail butterfly caterpillar on her dill herb plant. Black swallowtails feed on a variety of plants, including carrots, parsley, dill, fennel, Queen Anne’s lace (also called wild carrot), milkweed, phlox and rue.

Shealina will be 6 years old in July and was adopted five years ago from Pasco County Animal Services. She is a very sweet cat and loves her toys. Shealina brings so much love to her family, Frank and Nicole Magazu, of Land O’ Lakes.

Paul Langevin, of Land O’ Lakes, snapped this photo of two hawks at the Can AM Flyers field in San Antonio. 

Kass Claggett spotted this black-crowned night heron in her backyard on Drexel Road in Land O’ Lakes. These herons often spend their days perched on tree limbs or concealed among foliage and branches. They forage in the evening and at night, in water, on mudflats, and on land. These are social birds that tend to roost and nest in groups, although they typically forage on their own.

Bonnie Caston caught this red-shouldered hawk trying to hide in a tree, away from the mockingbirds that were dive-bombing it, in her backyard in Zephyrhills.

June Robinson caught this barred owl atop her bird feeder in Lakeshore Ranch. It appears the owl is listening to a ‘cardinal’ secret!