A MIghty Windy Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade December 1, 2019
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, marching bands, NYC, photography, Santa, travel
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I was lucky to be able to score six bleacher tickets for the parade. Prior to the parade the local weather forecasters were predicting dire circumstances for the balloons. Would they fly or wouldn’t they fly? Turns out they did fly (sort of). Most of the balloons were horizontal and it was very tricky to try to contain them. Kudos to the balloon handlers for generally keeping them afloat. My family loved the parade despite the cold, the wind and the two hour wait before it began. Hope you had a warm, cozy, yummy Thanksgiving with family and friends – I know we did.
Oakland Zoo November 24, 2019
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Oakland Zoo, photography, travel, wildlife, zoo babies, zoocation, Zoos
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Our penultimate stop on 2019 Zoocation was the always terrific Oakland Zoo. I have been visiting this facility for the past 20 years when my niece moved to the west coast. It has grown and only gotten more enjoyable with each visit. A big shout out to Chantal for arranging our visit and to docent Guy for a fun filled tour of the California trail. We spent a lot of time watching their bears play in the water and also spotting their litter of wolf pups. The views are amazing from the top of the facility. If you are on the west coast I encourage you to visit.
Wildlife Safari November 17, 2019
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: photography, travel, wildlife, Wildlife Safari, Winston Oregon, zoo babies, zoocation, Zoos
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Stop #7 on our 2019 Pacific Northwest Zoocation was Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon. Truth be told, it was to be a very long travel day and we needed a place to stop, see some animals and perhaps get out of the car. We got a bit of both at this 600 acre AZA facility founded in 1972 by Frank Hart. There are over 500 animals from all over the world with a very successful cheetah breeding program. We were one of only a few cars at the facility so traffic surely was not a concern. The weather continued to be damp and drizzly. We always make the best of our zoo adventures and this was no exception. Next stop – California.
Oregon Coast Aquarium November 10, 2019
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Oregon Coast Aquarium, photography, travel, vacation, zoocation, Zoos
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2019 Pacific Northwest Zoocation continues with stop #6, the Oregon Coast Aquarium. Sorry for the delay in posting photos of this terrific facility but Howl-o-ween, Bats, and Pumpkins took priority in October. The Oregon Coast Aquarium is in Newport, Oregon. It opened in 1992. The facility sits on 23 acres along the very beautiful Yaquina Bay near the Pacific Ocean. A giant shout out to Sally Compton, Communications and Marketing Manager for greeting us early and giving us a fabulous tour and jelly fish experience. First time we ever touched a jelly fish. Very cool indeed. If you find yourself in the area, I encourage a visit. 
Hello Gourd-geous! November 3, 2019
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Central Park Zoo, gourds, NYC, photography, pumpkins, wildlife
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Last Sunday was our photo class featuring, of course, pumpkins at the Central Park Zoo. An enormous shout out to the courageous photographers who braved the soaker of a day. The rains came and came and came. We persisted and had lots of fun. The animals seemed to have as much fun as the photographers which made the weather tolerable (almost). Enjoy! Look to this space for the announcement of our next Sunday photo class in February featuring…hearts. 
Batty for Bats October 31, 2019
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Bats, Central Park Zoo, NYC, photography, wildlife, Zoos
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I could not let October pass by without my annual salute to bats. Have a sweet, safe, fun Halloween.
Howl-O-Ween October 27, 2019
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: costumes, dogs, Howl-o-ween, Madison Square Park, photography
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I interrupt my 2019 Pacific Northwest zoocation photos in order to salute Madison Square Park’s Howl-O-Ween parade and doggie fest held yesterday. I have included in today’s salute some older photos of my departed Halloween doggies, Benny and One-eyed Jack. I miss them both. Enjoy today’s photos and have a great, safe, sweet Halloween. 
Oregon Zoo October 20, 2019
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Oregon Zoo, photography, Portland OR, travel, wildlife, zoocation, Zoos
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Zoo #5 on our Pacific Northwest 2019 zoocation was Portland’s terrific Oregon Zoo. This 64 acre growing zoo was once called the Portland Zoo and then the Washington Park Zoo. They have been busy renovating and expanding habitats. A HUGE shout out to old friend Director Don Moore for spending some time with us.
Northwest Trek, Tacoma WA October 13, 2019
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: nature, Northwest Trek, photography, Tacoma WA, travel, wildlife, zoocation, Zoos
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Zoo#4 on our Pacific Northwest 2019 zoocation was Northwest Trek, in Tacoma WA. Over 40 species of native wildlife live in this beautiful habitat. Much of the visit can only be seen by tram and we were extremely lucky to be the only two people on the 10AM tram tour. Our guide and driver, Caleb, was charming, informative and ready to stop as many times as we asked him to in order to get photos. The free-roaming area via tram is a 435-acre Northwest paradise for herds of Roosevelt elk, bison, moose, caribou, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, swans and deer. The walking part of the habitat includes, cats, bears, eagles and much much more. I encourage you to visit this beautiful spot if you are in the Tacoma area. 
Pt. Defiance Zoo and Aquarium October 6, 2019
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: baby animals, Kulu, nature, NY Aquarium, photography, Pt. Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, red wolf, Tacoma, travel, wildlife, zoo babies, zoocation, Zoos
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Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma, WA was stop #3 on our Pacific Northwest 2019 Zoocation. It is a beautiful facility in a spectacular location. We were fortunate to see their eight red wolf cubs (now teenagers) during a keeper talk and feed. Also got to see their adorable tapir baby Kazu. I was especially taken by their puffin habitat and of course seeing their two walrus’ who are on their way to San Diego for breeding was very special. Many of you will recognize the New York Aquarium’s Kulu (featured in my title photo). A special shout out to Malia for spending time with us upon our arrival.
