Beam Me Up! December 17, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: architecture, art, NYC, NYC skyline, photography, Rockefeller Christmas Tree, Santa, The Beam, Top of the Rock, VIP
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My good friend Robyn and I went on a 2.5 hour guided tour of Rockefeller Center (which actually lasted 3.5 hours) that included a fascinating history of their art and architecture. This VIP (which means a bit pricey) tour also includes exclusive access to one of Rockefeller Center’s hidden rooftop gardens with a view of the Saks Fifth Avenue beautiful holiday display and a unique perspective of St Patrick’s Cathedral. Plus an expedited entry and private elevator access to the Top of the Rock observation deck, The new Beam Experience that allows visitors to recreate the famed 1932 photo “Lunch Atop a Skyscraper,” showing 11 workers eating lunch on a steel beam high above Manhattan streets while 30 Rock was under construction and a Photo Pass. Plus, this holiday season, the VIP Rock Pass also includes exclusive, unobscured viewing of the Tree, plus the Santa Photo Experience and the Christmas Tree Photo. I admit I was giddy about the Santa experience since I had never had a photo taken with Santa. It was a full, memorable visit. If you have the time, I highly suggest it be added to your holiday plans. And yes..it is crowded.
All Aboard! December 10, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Art exhibit, Bronx, Holiday Train Show, nature, NYBG, NYC, photography
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The New York Botanical Garden is back with their sensational train show. This year there is a new fun feature outside the Conservatory. This was the first time I attended with a zany family that included three kids. It made the visit even more special. Get aboard – the trains can be seen through January 15, 2024.
Gingerbread Five Borough Bake-off 2023 December 3, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: art, Gingerbread, Gingerbread five borough bakeoff, Museum of the City of NY, NYC, photography
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The second annual Gingerbread Five Boro Bake Off at the Museum of the City of NY invited 23 bakers out of the 50 that applied from across the five boroughs to create gingerbread displays on the theme of “Iconic New York”—creating distinctive buildings, places, or things that represent their neighborhood, community, or borough. The ’skinny’ on this exhibit is that there is 165 pounds of gingerbread, plus 161 pounds of icing and more than 105 pounds of candy. The smell is a bit overwhelming but a fun exhibit. It is on through January 15th. 
Up, Up and Away! November 26, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Balloons, Macy's Thanksgiving Da Parade, Macys, marching bands, NYC, photography, Santa
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Thursday was the 97th Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade and I was able to get a ticket for a seat in the bleachers. The parade started early this year so the line entered at 6:30AM and then the hardest part began. The waiting in the cold. The City (in all of its wisdom) decided not to have porta potties for the attendees to use. Oy! Lots of complaining was heard throughout the crowd. The kids near me started whining by 7:30AM. Oh my! As the 90 minute wait goes by the crowd will cheer at anything that we see – drones, pigeons, bomb sniffing dogs, etc. Finally the parade begins and suddenly the cold and wind do not seem to be a bother. It was fun, festive and loud. When Santa finally arrives the crowd goes wild. Not sure if it is because Santa arrived or if that means the parade is over and we can all go home to thaw out. Hope you all had a great holiday with friends and family. Here is a link to some history about the beginning of this fun holiday tradition. 
Shazam! November 19, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: art, Art exhibit, Center for Jewish History, comic books, NYC, photography, stan lee, super heroes, superman, the hulk, x-men
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During these troubled times it is important to know about history. The Center for Jewish History has a fascinating, illuminating and fun exhibit about super heroes, their creators and why they were created. In the 1930s and 1940s Jewish immigrants in New York were kept out of most respectable industries (anti-semitism was rife), so publishers, writers and artists created an industry of their own – comics. They also created its proprietary genre, superheroes, which they infused with various levels of Jewish signification. The preeminent creators in comic book history were all Jewish men — Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster (Superman), Bob Kane and Bill Finger (Batman), Wil Eisner (the Spirit) Joe Kubert (Sgt. Rock), Jack Kirby and Joe Simon (Captain America) Stan Lee and Jack Kirby (the Hulk, Fantastic Four, Avengers, X-Men and many more.) This is a wonderful exhibit for all ages. There is even a dress up photo op where you can don costumes, masks, capes and take your own super hero photos (and yes, I did partake). The exhibit runs through December 31st.
Can Do! November 12, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: art, Art exhibit, Brookfiled Place, Canstruction, City Harvest, NYC, photography
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Canstruction returns to Brookfield Place. I admit to admiring this competition each year when I see it featured on TV but I never ventured downtown to check it out in person. No excuse for this laziness and I will now have it on my ‘must see’ annual things. This yearly 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 placed on display and later donated to City Harvest to help provide families with a holiday meal. 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 closes tomorrow, November 13, so there’s still time to go on down. Bring some canned food to donate while you are there. 
Gourdness Gracious! November 5, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Daylight Savings Time, gourds, nature, NYC, photography, Pumpkin enrichment, Red Panda, snow leopard, Snow Monkey, Standard time, wildlife, Zoos
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My October obsession with all things bats, birthdays and pumpkins has come to an end with this Sunday’s photo montage. Fun and enrichment was had by all species (especially me). I usually post something about our having to turn the clocks today as Daylight Savings Time ends. Here’s one from three years ago. Enjoy that extra hour of sleep. I got up earlier than usual. Sigh.
Come to the Bark Side October 29, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Audrey and Roberta, Benny the dog, costumes, Halloween, Mr. Pepe, NYC, Pete, photography
14 comments
Anyone that knows me is aware that this is my favorite time of the year. Pumpkins, birthdays. apple crisp, candy, costumes, decorations, cooler temperatures, and lots of fun. My furry companions get to share in my October obsession. And yes, there are many treats involved in getting into costumes. A shout out to participants past and present Mr. Pepe, Audrey, Roberta, Pete, Benny, One-eyed Jack and Madison. Happy Howl-o-ween!
Ghost of the Mountains October 22, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: wildlife, nature, Zoos, big cats, Snow Leopard cubs, photography, zoo babies, travel, snow leopard, art, International Snow Leoard Day, Ghost of the Mountains
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Tomorrow is International Snow Leopard Day and my birthday. Snow leopards are known as the ‘ghost of the mountains’ because of their solitary and elusive nature. I sometimes am solitary and elusive too. Cheers to these gorgeous cats (and me). For more information about these gorgeous and endangered cats click here. 
Do You Look Like Your Dog? October 15, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, art, Audrey, baby animals, Fotografiska, Mr. Pepe, NYC, pet photography, Pete, photography, Roberta
15 comments
When I am not taking photos at my job at the Central Park Zoo or in my wanderings around NYC I take photos of my own gang at home which includes three cats and a dog. How wonderful to discover that Fotografiska (a NY branch of the Swedish photography museum) was presenting an exhibit of pet photography and its role in culture. This special space is in my neighborhood so how could I resist. As the museum states – ‘With this exhibition we want to celebrate and acknowledge our constant companions, their presence in Western art and popular culture, and our multifaceted relationship with them. We place these animals on a pedestal, and consider them from all perspectives: as life partners, status symbols, friends and family members, and as works of art’. I have included some photos of my own gang (and me). See if you can find us all. Woof!
While at the Zoo 