You CAN do it! November 10, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Art exhibit, Brookfield Place, Canstruction, City Harvest, NYC, photography
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Canstruction returns to Brookfield Place! The annual design competition challenges teams of architects, engineers and contractors to build sculptures made entirely out of unopened cans of food. The large-scale sculptures are displayed in a free exhibition space open to the public and later donated to City Harvest to help feed those in need. Canstruction is an art exhibit and Canstruction is a fundraiser. There are 23 sculptures that populate the two levels of Brookfield Place. This year’s sculptures run the gamut from fairytales to cartoon characters to movie villains. There’s Lewis Caroll’s Alice in Wonderland, Pokemon’s Squirtle, Perry the Platyus and Remy. They are joined by the man eating plant from Little Shop of Horrors and the scary giant sandworm from Beetlejuice. All of these are made of cans that will eventually be donated to City Harvest just in time for Thanksgiving. Canstruction® New York has donated over 2 million pounds of food to local food banks since 1993, and over 1.2 million pounds to City Harvest since 2006. Since 1992, Canstruction® has raised nearly 82 million pounds of food for hunger relief organizations around the world with its signature, trademarked CanArt. It is a very short exhibition and closes tomorrow November 11th. Perhaps you CAN put it on your list for next year.
Pets and the City November 3, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, art, Art exhibit, Audrey and Roberta, Flaco, Ming the tiger, Mr. Pepe, nature, NYC, NYC pets, NYHS, Pets and the City, photography
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We went to the New York Historical Society (that has questionably rebranded itself as New York Historical) to see their new exhibition called Pets and the City. Most of us remember when police were called to get Ming the tiger out of a bathtub in the Bronx in 2001, those amazing service dogs at 9/11 and recent history involving Flaco the Eurasian eagle owl’s life after a vandal cut through his enclosure and released him into the wilds of Central Park. The exhibit covers lots of ground and is thoroughly enjoyable. It explores the visual history of New Yorkers and their ‘animal companions over the last two and a half centuries, tracing the evolving relationship between Gotham’s people and its animals as the city grew increasingly urbanized and industrialized.Through a broad spectrum of works of art, objects, documents, memorabilia, and clips from film and television, the exhibition surveys the evolution of pets—from their presence among the Lenape and Haudenosaunee and the hunting culture of settlers through their insinuation into the urban family and onto the pampered pets of today, which enjoy their own public rights. Drawn largely from The New York Historical’s collections, Pets and the City also investigates the reasons for the soaring pet population, especially after 9/11 and during the COVID-19 crisis, as well as issues surrounding pet adoption, the trafficking of exotic animals, and service animals’. The exhibit can be seen through April 20, 2025. Speaking of pampered pets – my Gang of Four can be seen in the bottom photo. If you do not know them already, please meet cats Audrey, Roberta and Pete and our very special dog, Mr. Pepe. Trust me – they are living their best lives.
October Surprise October 31, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, art, Audrey and Roberta, Benny the dog, costumes, Happy Halloween, Jack the dog, Madison the cat, Mr. Pepe, Pepe Potter, photography
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An October surprise for you. We love Halloween here at Casa Lobo and have been celebrating it since the beginning of time. Here is a photo montage of my extremely wonderful pets over the years. No animal was harmed in the making of these photos. Lots of treats were had by all. A shout out to Madison, Sweet Benny, One-eyed Jack, Audrey, Roberta, Pete and of course, the very photogenic Mr. Pepe.
Smashing Pumpkins October 27, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, banded mongoose, Central Park Zoo, Mr. Pepe, NYC, photography, Pumpkin enrichment, pumpkins, Red Panda, Sea Ducks, snow leopard, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
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My October obsession with all things bats, birthdays and pumpkins has almost come to an end with this Sunday’s photo montage. Enjoy (with me) some fun pumpkin enrichment from this year and from the past years at the Central Park Zoo.The bottom photo is of my dog, Mr. Pepe with his small pumpkins that I call ‘Pepekins.’ 
Presidential Pets October 20, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: AKC Museum of the Dog, animals, Art exhibit, photography, Presidential Pets, White House
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It is said that President Harry S Truman uttered “If you want a friend in Washington DC – Get a dog.” Not sure if that is true but it still gets a laugh.The Museum of the Dog has a timely exhibit called ‘Presidential Dogs’. Most United States presidents have kept pets while in office. Only James K. Polk, Andrew Johnson, and Donald Trump did not have any presidential pets while in office (however, Johnson did take care of some mice he found in his bedroom). Outdoorsman Teddy Roosevelt was known for his love of animals had the most pets owned as a president at 48. He owned a few strange pets including a black bear, a badger, a hyena, and even a three-legged rooster. President Abraham Lincoln allowed his sons, Tad and Willie, to keep as many pets as they wished. The result was a menagerie that included rabbits, turkeys, horses, and even two goats. According to legend, John Quincy Adams kept an alligator in the White House for several months. More than 30 hounds were listed in George Washington’s journals, including Sweet Lips, Drunkard, Tipler, and Tipsy. Billy, was a pygmy hippopotamus, given to United States President Calvin Coolidge. Thomas Jefferson owned two grizzly bears. William Howard Taft had two cows. President Calvin Coolidge owned two raccoons, a donkey, a bobcat, lion cubs, a Pygmy hippopotamus, a wallaby, a duiker, an antelope, a black bear, and 13 Peking ducks. John Quincy Adams owned silkworms and an alligator, which some posit may be a myth. However, Benjamin Harrison did own two alligators who lived in the White House conservatory. He also kept two opossums as pets during his presidency. Nothing screams American pride like owning a Bald Eagle, which President James Buchanan had as a pet. Martin Van Buren had two tiger cubs, but Congress ultimately forced him to donate them to a zoo. Founding Father Thomas Jefferson owned two grizzly bears. George W. Bush had a longhorn cow. President Woodrow Wilson owned 48 sheep and a ram at one point during his time! While all the previously mentioned presidents had a wide assortment of weird pets, most of them also had dogs, cats, and what most consider to be other “normal” pets. 
Byzantine Bembe’ October 13, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: art, Art exhibit, Byzantine Bembe, diaspora, Manny Vega, mosaic, murals, Museum of the City if NY, NYC, photography
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The Museum of the City of New York is filled with wonderful exhibits year round and I make it a habit of going several times a year. This last visit introduced me to the colorful, musical, artistic world of Manny Vega. He is an American painter, illustrator, printmaker, muralist, mosaicist, set and costume designer. His work portrays the history and traditions of the African Diaspora that exist in the United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America. His mosaics and murals adorn street walls, subway stations, cultural centers, and business facades throughout East Harlem. Many of these works celebrate important figures—particularly women—in the history of the Puerto Rican and Latinx communities. His style has been dubbed “Byzantine Hip-Hop” for his uncompromising technical command that encompasses ancient Mediterranean mosaic-making and the electrifying lines of hyper-detailed Sharpie pen-and-ink drawings. As part of the Museum’s centennial year celebration, Byzantine Bembé: New York by Manny Vega explores his visual storytelling as it interweaves community stories with themes that range from African deities to urban mythologies. Deeply rooted in an idiosyncratic understanding of the diaspora experience, which in his case includes communities in El Bronx, El Barrio, and Bahia, Brazil, Vega’s worldview is colorful, danceable, passionately spiritual, complex, yet accessible. The show marks the Museum’s commitment to its thriving neighborhood as it looks ahead to its next one hundred years. Vega has been their artist in residence for this calendar year. This beautiful exhibit is on through December 8, 2024.
Flowers Make Us Happy October 6, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: art, Art exhibit, Artiste, Fleurs de Villes, flowers, Hudson Yards, nature, photography
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Flowers make us happy. We expect to see flowers in the spring but there is a special joy in seeing them pop up in fall. Hudson Yards once again presents the flower show Fleurs de Villes. This year the theme is ARTISTE – a floral series paying homage to remarkable artists spanning various disciplines. Fleurs de Villes ARTISTE features 15 fresh floral mannequins, each created by a different florist and inspired by accomplished artists from disciplines such as ballet, impressionist painting, literature, culinary arts, opera and more. From contemporary visionaries and trailblazers, to Masters throughout history, Fleurs de Villes ARTISTE celebrates art in all its forms. This beautiful display is on through October 13th on the first level at Hudson Yards. Go and smell the roses! 
September Visit to the National Zoo September 29, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, nature, photography, Sand cats, Smithsonian's National Zoo, travel, wildlife, Zoos
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Washington DC is a great town to visit. I am lucky that my friends live in the Watergate and I have open invitations to visit. And so I do. This three day visit included amazing art exhibits, yummy food, long walks (everything is further away than you think) and of course The National Zoo. Our zoo experience was abbreviated due to planning way too many things on our itinerary but an always fun visit. Enjoy my photos and see your tax dollars in action.
Who doesn’t love a red panda? September 22, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, baby animals, Central Park Zoo, International Red Panda Day, Nashville Zoo, nature, photography, Prospect Park Zoo, Red Panda, wildlife, zoocation, Zoos
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Yesterday was International Red Panda Day. Their habitat is being destroyed by deforestation, agriculture, and human settlement, and they are also hunted for their fur and body parts. International Red Panda Day was initiated by the Red Panda Network in 2010 as a way to raise awareness and promote conservation efforts for red pandas.It is celebrated to spread awareness about a species that is near extinction. The day was launched by the Red Panda Network in 2010. At that time, 16 schools and a few zoos participated in red panda activities. Currently, more than 60 zoos around the world participate, with over 100,000 visitors on Red Panda Day. On our many zoocations we have come across lots of red pandas with Tennessee seeming to have the most. Other than being absolutely adorable it is almost impossible to take a bad photo of a red panda.
Day Trip and Fall September 15, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: art, Art exhibit, Four Freedoms Park, Nellie Bly, NYC, photography, Roosevelt Island, Tram, travel, Views
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It was Friday the 13th and my pal Robyn and I were off on another NYC adventure (what could go wrong)? We took the Roosevelt Island Tram and headed to what was supposed to be some type of pop-up flower/exhibit/sale event. I realized I hadn’t been to Roosevelt Island in over 20 years where my NYC Marathon buddies and I would train with its magnificent views. A lot has change in 20 years but the old smallpox hospital was still standing. Lots of new housing and the exceptional Four Freedoms Park dedicated to Franklin Delano Roosevelt had been built. We took our time absorbing the stellar views of Manhattan heading towards the original flower goal. As we got closer to the flower part we realized the line was way too long. Neither Robyn nor I are good at lines so we decided to just circle the island. It was hot, but we persevered. Walking to the northern most part of the island we saw the wonderful Nellie Bly Park, public art and the old lighthouse. Heading back to the tram I somehow got tangled up in a wayward dog’s leash and down I went (just like Frazier)! Collective screams and curses could be heard. After assessing if anything was broken we got me situated and headed back to the safety of Manhattan. It was not exactly the day we had planned but adventures can be surprising in many ways. And really, what was I expecting on Friday the 13th? Enjoy the views.
While at the Zoo 