The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Pets/Wildlife

Grabbing a bite to eat

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This red-shouldered hawk had been perched up on the trampoline in Kanasha Reyes’ backyard in Land O’ Lakes for a few days. Evidently, the hawk was spotting prey and ultimately was rewarded by catching a lizard.

Zebra finches call Lutz home

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Zedd (in the back) is the older of the two, and is bossy and a boisterous singer. Zuko has a mutated gene and is actually a Penguin Zebra Finch. The pampered pair feels right at home in Lutz with Meagan Rathman-Urena.

Squirrels are everywhere…

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…in Florida, from the coastal area to the inland. They are incredibly agile climbers and jumpers. Bird enthusiasts know that a squirrel can empty out a feeder in a matter of minutes! This squirrel doesn’t seem to mind Keith Taylor, of Wesley Chapel, snapping a photo during its snack time.

Poised to play

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Charlie is a Lhasa mix and is 1 ½ years old. He enjoys playing with his owners’ grandson, Carter. He also loves the water and chasing lizards. Charlie lives with his family, Jim and Cheryl Cole, in Land O’ Lakes

Caught up in a breeze

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Marjorie Hoffmann, of Lake Padgett Estates in Land O’ Lakes, took this photo of a wind-blown snowy egret in Belleair Beach. During the breeding season, adult snowy egrets develop long, wispy feathers on their backs, necks and heads.

Soaking up the sunshine

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Lauren Harkness took this photo of a baby alligator lounging at the pond on Sotogrande Loop in Country Walk, in Wesley Chapel.

Rescuing one another

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Daisy is a rescue from Pasco County Animal Services. She is 3 ½ years old. Daisy was adopted a year ago. She was going to be destroyed, as she was not doing well, but looking into her beautiful copper eyes, her family knew where she belonged. Daisy loves to sit by the pool and to play with her stuffed animals. She is doing great and has gained 15 pounds. Daisy’s patience and love rescued her proud owner, Eileen Halczyn of Wesley Chapel.

What a beauty!

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Lillian Cucuzza, of Land O’ Lakes, captured this photo of a male rose-breasted grosbeak on her feeder. Cucuzza sees quite a variety of feathered friends during the short-lived Spring migration of birds coming up from the Florida Keys.

A native to the Americas

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Self-proclaimed amateur photographer Margaret DeSisto captured this photo of a Great Horned Owl and a fledgling (about 5-weeks old) in a nest in Philippe Park in Safety Harbor. These owls use a broad range of habitats, including swamps, deserts, tropical rainforests, cities, orchards, suburbs, parks, and deciduous and evergreen forests.

A treasured pet

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This cutie was found in an alley when he was about a week old. Named Precious, he has adapted to the indoors like a champ. He loves playing on the sofa cushions much better than climbing on the old tires where he was born. Precious’ happy owner is Richard Arto, of San Antonio.