Gary Owens snapped this incredible shot of an osprey on Lake Heron, where he lives. Ospreys search for fish by flying on steady wingbeats and bowed wings or circling high in the sky over relatively shallow water. This bird of prey often will hover briefly before diving, feet first, to grab a fish. An osprey’s wingspan is about 5 feet.
Photos of the Week
Clowning around at the circus

Friendly rivalry

Ahead of Super Bowl LV, pitting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the Kansas City Chiefs, Mary Eberhard of The Laker/Lutz News (left), and Karen Carr, building manager of Copperstone Executive Suites, support their favorite teams by wearing their respective game gear. Super Bowl Sunday is Feb. 7.
Taking to the skies
Sporting a bit of Spring

Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club celebrated National Hat Day on Jan. 15. The women sported a favorite or fun chapeau, choosing a variety of jaunty, floral, big brims and sporty hats to help to elevate their moods and bring a bit of cheer during the COVID-19 pandemic. The club has not been able to resume in-person meetings.
An iconic, vocal bird
Nicole Magazu, of Land O’ Lakes, enjoys taking pictures of birds and she was thrilled to capture this Northern Mockingbird with a berry in its beak. The Northern Mockingbird is one of the most iconic birds of the South, and it is probably the bird that people see the most. It is also the state bird of Florida. The mockingbird is very vocal and can imitate the songs of at least 50 or 60 other species of Southern birds — they even mimic car horns and car alarms.
A wonderland of ‘snow’ and goodies
Coupled with a light drizzle, Life Church’s booth generated bubbles that doubled as snowflakes and snow drifts. Hundreds of vehicles made their way along the line of vendor tents at the Stuff Your Stocking Drive Thru, hosted by Wesley Chapel Rotary at Wesley Chapel District Park. Natalie Dougherty (left), of Life Church, hands out gifts within the sudsy blizzard.

Seasonal sightings — with Santa, Frosty and happy kids
Steve Vinik, a member of The Laker/Lutz News Readership Club, recently captured these photos during the Lexington Oaks Santa Parade on Dec. 12, and generously shared them with our readers. The images convey a sense of joy that’s often been in short supply this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please turn to Page 1B, to see more of our seasonal coverage, from a Country Christmas & Vintage Market held earlier this month at the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, in Dade City.




Tampa Tour de Clay showcases the artistry of pottery

The annual tradition of the Tampa Tour de Clay — now in its 13th year — gave pottery lovers a chance to check out new pieces — either live or virtually in an event that adjusted, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gallery hoppers could check out pieces on Dec. 12 and Dec. 13 at Jack Boyle’s San Antonio Pottery in San Antonio, Wellman and Welsch Pottery in Lutz, and Pottery Boys Clay Studios in Palm Harbor.
Those who didn’t feel comfortable visiting the studios in person could take a virtual tour option, instead.
One benefit of the virtual tour was that “attendees” could view and purchase work by some artists who were unable to attend the traditional tour, including Lynne Meade, Timothy Sullivan, Larry Allen, Jennifer McCurdy and Martha Grover.


Bringing the blues to Wesley Chapel
The Wesley Chapel Art & Blues Festival offered a weekend of family fun, art, food and live music, on Nov. 21 and Nov. 22, at the Grove at Wesley Chapel.
An artisan craft fair featured dozens of artists selling homemade items, such as artwork, candles, jewelry and clothing. Artisans created work while interacting with guests, and there were all sorts of fun activities, such as barrel painting and Nerf Wars, too.
Numerous food trucks and a beer garden rounded out the festival’s offerings.



