Virtual Thanksgiving Day Parade November 26, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Balloons, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, NYC, photography
10 comments
Like everything else in this crazy COVID19 year, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is going to be very different. I thought I would re-post my adventures from last year’s parade since this year there will be no spectators. In 2019 I was lucky to be able to get six bleacher tickets for the parade. Prior to the parade the local weather forecasters were predicting dire wind 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. Whatever you are doing today – please be safe. 
Blue November 22, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Blue animals, Central Park Zoo, photography, zoocation, Zoos
12 comments
Blue is my favorite color. Nature has found its way to have an abundance of blue on its lovely creatures. My salute to all things blue this Sunday. Stay safe this holiday week. If you must travel please wear masks, socially distance and be careful. It is crazy out there.
I Love Fall Most of All November 15, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: autumn, Central Park Zoo, photography, Sea Ducks, snow leopard, Snow Monkey, Southwick's Zoo, travel, wildlife, zoocation, Zoos
12 comments
It is not a secret that I love this time of year. I like the crisp, clear air, the light and of course the changing leaves. Today’s salute to fall includes photos from my home base, the Central Park Zoo and photos from Southwick’s Zoo in Mendon, MA. My annual October visit to New England was cancelled this year due to COVID19 so these are photos both from past visits and newer photos from the Central Park Zoo. Please remember to wear your mask, wash your hands and socially distance.
For the Birds November 8, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Birds, Central Park Zoo, NYC, Penguins, photography
6 comments
It was a very long, stressful election night that last flour days. I managed some of my own stress by spending early morning hours with the birds of the Central Park Zoo. Their lovely songs, cooing or chirping calmed my soul. So I wondered why the term ‘for the birds’ is a negative one. The expression means worthless, useless, ridiculous or foolish. I categorically disagree. These beautiful birds calmed me down this week so I salute them with this photo montage. Please continue to wear your mask, wash your hands and socially distance. 
Tick Tock, Tick Tock November 1, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Clocks, Daylight Savings Time, Mr. Pepe, NYC, photography, Standard time
9 comments
I am quite sure that no one wants to add another hour to this horrific COVID19 year – yet here we are. The days seem shorter and most certainly darker. Here are a few tidbits about the history of why we change our clocks twice a year. My good friend Mary, who was raised in Arizona, hates when we change the clocks. Only Arizona and Hawaii stick with one time all year round. Did you know both China and India have only one time zone? I don’t have an opinion about changing the clocks – I just love clocks. I have more clocks in my house than I need but I like looking at them. And by the way – I am never late. Here’s a fun article about them and the man who changes some of the clocks in NYC. The photo of my dog, Mr. Pepe, above, in his Halloween outfits has nothing to do with Standard time other than I thought you might enjoy his outfits. 
Pumpkin Fun at the Central Park Zoo October 25, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, banded mongoose, Central Park Zoo, nature, NYC, photography, Pumpkin enrichment, snow leopard, Snow Monkey, Zoos
8 comments
One of the best things about this time of year are pumpkins. I normally run a public before hours photo session at the Central Park Zoo featuring pumpkin enrichment for our animals. Like most everything else the session was cancelled this year due to COVID19. I decided to go ahead with the enrichment and thanks to CPZ’s amazing staff we pulled it off. We dismissed with carving and just gave the animals whole pumpkins. It was fun, colorful and enriching for them, the staff and me. If you are a pumpkin nut like me – here’s a trip down memory lane from some of the other pumpkinpalooza events. 2019’s Hello Gourd-geous – 2018’s Pumpkinfest – 2017’s Pumpkin’s a Plenty – 2016’s Pumpkinpalooza. There’s more – but you get the idea. Here’s hoping that next year we are back to ‘normal’ times and we can have a pumpkin photo session again. Please stay safe, wear a mask and social distance. Enjoy the pumpkins. 
Brooklyn Bound October 18, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: baby animals, Brooklyn, nature, NYC, photography, Prospect Park Zoo, Red Panda, River Otter, wildlife, Zoos
11 comments
After eight long months of being on the island of Manhattan I took the Q train and ventured to Brooklyn’s Prospect Park Zoo this week. As most of you know, the Prospect Park Zoo was the zoo of my youth and I have a special place for it in my heart. It was a fun, productive visit and it was great to see the friendly faces of the staff and of course to revisit their wonderful collection of animals. Enjoy this week’s salute to Brooklyn and please wear a mask, socially distance, wash your hands and be safe.
October Feast for the Eyes October 11, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Fall, nature, photography, pumpkins, Union Square Greenmarket
19 comments
To those that know me it is not a secret that I love the fall. I enjoy the amazing colors of the changing leaves and the fullness of the fall harvest. Also my love of pumpkins is well known. I went to the Union Square Market yesterday to feast on all of the fabulous colors and textures. Enjoy! Stay safe, social distance and please wear a mask.
A Return to the Central Park Zoo October 4, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.19 comments
After 200 days at or around home during the COVID19 pandemic I went back to my photography job at the Central Park Zoo this week. It sure felt good to see the entire staff, the grounds and of course the amazing animal collection. For those that have asked, I did indeed commute via subway and was happy to find that the subways were clean and everyone on the train wore a mask (even the panhandlers). Hope you enjoy these return photos. Please continue to stay safe – wear a mask and socially distance. If today’s montage appears different it is because wordpress has changed the look of the page. Sorry about that.
Jumping Jacks September 27, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, baby animals, nature, NYC, photography, Snow Leopard cubs, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
3 comments
Today is day 200 for me being home during the COVID19 pandemic. It has been a challenging 6.5 months but the good news is I am returning to my photography job at the Central Park Zoo on Tuesday. Hopefully next Sunday’s montage will be fresh images of the fabulous animal collection at CPZ. Today’s montage is the final installment of salutes to children’s games. The jumping jack is a toy whose origins date back thousands of years. The jointed jumping jack figure is a cross between a puppet and paper doll. The figures are generally made from wood and their limbs are jointed and tied to a pull string. When the string is pulled and released, the arms and legs move up and down. Stay healthy and wear a mask please.
