Gus the Polar Bear – In Memorium September 1, 2013
Posted by judylobo in photography.Tags: Arctic Svarlbard, Central Park Zoo, Gus the polar bear, photography, travel, Zoos
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A picture is worth a thousand words is an apt expression for this week’s photo montage dedicated to one amazing polar bear. Gus, the polar bear who lived at the Central Park Zoo, was euthanized this week, at age 27. Inoperable cancer took him away from us – but he left us (it is said over 20 million visitors had seen Gus) with wonderful memories and stories. I was lucky enough to know Gus for 24 of his 27 years. As an ambassador to a dwindling species he (and now deceased companions, Ida and Lily) represented the polar bear with dignity, grace and beauty. He always made me smile and there was never a day at the zoo that my camera was not focused on him. I miss him already. If these few photos are not enough for you, here is a link from a photo montage that I made last February 2nd, in honor of International Polar Bear Day. In memory of Gus, we have booked a trip to Arctic Svalbard to hopefully see polar bears in the wild. Here is a video I made back in 2007 or a younger, Gus enjoying the pool. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD0Q2E3zwf8 – 4.18.2007
You Lookin’ At Me? January 20, 2013
Posted by judylobo in Central Park Zoo, Nature, photography, Wildlife, Zoo.Tags: Central Park Zoo, nature, photography, travel, wildlife
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Wildlife photography is great fun. We wait and wait and wait for those special moments. Sometimes, if we are lucky, the moment happens when your subject is now looking back at you, while you are looking at them. (Except for the bottom photo that cries out for the caption ‘No more photos!’).
Click!
All of today’s photos were shot at the Central Park Zoo.
Mirror Image January 13, 2013
Posted by judylobo in Nature, photography, Sea Ducks, Sea LIons, Wildlife, Zoo.Tags: animals, Central Park Zoo, mirror image, nature, photography, travel, wildlife, Zoos
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January seems to be turning into photo montage theme month. I had fun putting together this Mirror Image group of photos. All of the photos were taken at the Central Park Zoo.
Open Wide January 6, 2013
Posted by judylobo in Baby Animals, Big Cats, Central Park Zoo, photography, Wildlife, Zoo.Tags: Benny the dog, Central Park Zoo, nature, photography, Photography Workshop, Sea Ducks, snow leopard, wildlife
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Photo themes are fun. Sometimes a theme pops into my head while at the zoo and other times the themes are generously offered by my subjects. Today’s theme is ‘Open Wide.’ It was fun to put together. And yes, that is Benny the dog, opening wide for my camera at home. If you liked today’s photos check out these three other themed montages from 2012.
The early bird…
Whose toes are those?
Gotta Move it!
For those that are looking for a fun zoo photo outing, on Saturday, February 2nd (Groundhog Day) I will be running a Winter Photo Adventure for adults and children at the Central Park Zoo. We will go on a family scavenger hunt in the zoo using our cameras (there is a ‘theme’ involved). Ticket price includes 1 child and 1 adult. (Ages 6-18 with adult.) Sign up here – it is listed under ‘family programs.’
No Ifs, Just Ends and Butts – 2012 December 30, 2012
Posted by judylobo in Central Park Zoo, Mammals, Nature, photography, Traveling, Wildlife, Zoocation.Tags: baby animals, Central Park Zoo, nature, photography, Photography Workshop, travel, wildlife, zoocation
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It has been a great year for new faces, places and spaces. Thank you for coming along for the ride. For those that are looking for exciting zoo photo outings, on Saturday, February 2nd (Groundhog Day) I will be running a Winter Photo Adventure for adults and children at the Central Park Zoo. We will go on a family scavenger hunt in the zoo using our cameras. Ticket price includes 1 child and 1 adult. (Ages 6-18 with adult.) Sign up here – it is listed under ‘family programs.’ For those that want to plan ahead we also have a photo adventure on April 14th and April 28th. Check it out at the same site linked above.
In my eighth end of the year tradition, I bring you my closing photo montage and also take a look back at the new places that we have visited. Keeping up with tradition, I end the year with no ‘ifs,’ – just ends and butts. Looking forward to more zoocations in 2013. Wishing you all a very Happy Zoo Year!
Suncoast Bird Sanctuary, Indian Shores FL
The Florida Aquarium, Tampa FL
Livingston Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy, Litchfield, CT
‘Tis better to give… December 23, 2012
Posted by judylobo in Big Cats, Central Park Zoo, Mongoose, Mountain Coati, Nature, photography, Red Pandas, Snow Leopard, Snow Monkeys, Wildlife, Zoo.Tags: Benny the dog, Central Park Zoo, coati, lemur, nature, NYC, photography, saki, saki monkeys, snow leopard, Snow Monkey, travel, zoo
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‘Tis better to give than to receive. It is a great adage and we saw it first hand when some of the animals at the Central Park Zoo got surprise food treats this week disguised in festive holiday casing. Check out our snow leopard, snow monkeys, red pandas, Southern coatis, saki monkeys, black and white ruffed lemurs, banded mongoose, muntjac and cotton top tamarins being enriched by our gifts.
The handsome dog above is of course Benny, my oft photographed pooch. A very Happy Holiday season to all of you from the gang at Casa Lobo.
If you subscribe to my weekly photos (and get them in your in-box) you are probably not able to view my videos from your inbox image. Just scroll up and click on the Blue link (which is the name of today’s send) and it will take you back to my ‘While at the Zoo’ website where you can watch today’s video selection. Enjoy this video I took on December 20th, 2009 when we had a foot of snow fall in the City. Along with the snow our then three year old snow leopard got a holiday gift to play with all day.
Monet’s Garden at the New York Botanical Garden September 30, 2012
Posted by judylobo in Baby Animals, Nature, photography.Tags: baby monkey, Central Park Zoo, Monet's Garden at the New York Botanical Garden, nature, photography, travel
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Last Sunday we took a trip to the New York Botanical Garden to see their lovely exhibit Monet’s Garden. It is on through October 21st so you still have time to see it. This tribute to French Impressionist Claude Monet showcases a seasonally changing interpretation of the gardens that inspired his art. While I enjoyed the recreation of his Giverny bridge inside the Enid Haupt Conservatory I particularly enjoyed the lovely water lilies surrounding the conservatory. For those of you that need an animal photo fix each Sunday, in keeping with today’s flower theme, I have included old shot of Zeppy, the Central Park Zoo‘s former snow monkey with a flower.
Six Flags Wild Safari – 2012 September 23, 2012
Posted by judylobo in Animal Video, Baby Animals, Nature, photography, Wildlife, Zoo.Tags: animals, baby animals, Central Park Zoo, nature, photography, Photography Workshop, safari adventure, Six Flags Wild Safari, travel, wildlife, zoo website, zoocation, Zoos
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For the fourth time in so many years I traveled to Jackson, New Jersey with friends to experience the fun of the Six Flags Wild Safari adventure. The first time I visited Six Flags we drove our own car and had a blast. Since that time I have dipped into the Lobo piggy bank to experience their VIP private ‘off road’ adventure. I have loved it each time. Sorry to say they are renovating their entire park for the 2013 season. I am sure it will be fun – but I will cherish all of the good times we had in our private tours these past years. If you want to see what they are up to in the coming year, click on this link and watch the video.
Check out the woman’s expression in the first photo of today’s montage. I imagine she is thinking how she will explain this event to her insurance agent. If you are wondering – it all ended fine and she (and we) shared a hearty laugh over the entire rhino traffic jam situation.
If you subscribe to my weekly photos (and get them in your in-box) you are probably not able to view my videos from your inbox image. Just scroll up and click on the Blue link (which is the name of today’s send) and it will take you back to my ‘While at the Zoo’ website where you can watch today’s video selection below today’s montage from Wild Safari.
Finally, it is now officially fall and registration is open for my Central Park Zoo Fall Photography workshop. The workshop is Sunday, November 11th from 9:00AM-11:00AM. This class fills up quickly. Click on this Central Park Zoo link, read all about the workshop and sign up for some guaranteed photo fun. There are many programs and classes for all ages. Check them all out and plan for a fun fall and winter zoo experience.
This video bear and giraffe encounter was taken on a visit in 2010.
Bronx Zoo’s Tiger Cubs September 16, 2012
Posted by judylobo in Baby Animals, Nature, photography, Wildlife, Zoo.Tags: baby dwarf mongoose, Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, nature, Photography Workshop, sifaka baby, tiger cubs, wildlife, zoocation
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Recent news that the Bronx Zoo had three tiger cubs sent me traveling north to the Bronx yesterday. Who doesn’t love tiger cubs? It was well worth the trip. The cubs are adorable. Other delightful surprises included rock hyrax babies, a whole bunch of dwarf mongoose babies, a young sifaka and brown ruffed lemur and an adorable young sea lion pup. All in all – a fine Saturday visit.
Don’t forget my Central Park Zoo Fall Photography workshop class has been moved to Sunday, November 11th from 9:00AM-11:00AM. The original date (Sunday, November 4th) conflicted with the NYC Marathon. This class fills up quickly. Click on this Central Park Zoo link, read all about the workshop and sign up for some guaranteed photo fun. There are programs and classes for all ages. Check them all out and plan for a fun fall and winter zoo experience.
York’s Wild Kingdom September 13, 2012
Posted by judylobo in Nature, photography, Wildlife, Zoo.Tags: Central Park Zoo, nature, nyc marathon, Photography Workshop, prairie dog habitat, travel, York's Wild Kingdom, zoocation
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On my recent mini-zoocation to visit good friends in New England we went to York’s Wild Kingdom in York Beach, Maine. The zoo is part of a larger amusement area in a lovely spot in Maine. It is open seasonally and if you are passing through the area I suggest a stop over. I especially found their prairie dog habitat quite a lot of fun.
A correction is in order: Last week I told you about my Central Park Zoo Fall Photography workshop. The date has been moved to Sunday, November 11th from 9:00AM-11:00AM. The original date (Sunday, November 4th) conflicted with the NYC Marathon. This class fills up quickly. Click on this Central Park Zoo link, read all about the workshop and sign up for some guaranteed photo fun. There are programs and classes for all ages. Check them all out and plan for a fun fall and winter zoo experience.
While at the Zoo 