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
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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: art, big cats, Ghost of the Mountains, International Snow Leoard Day, nature, photography, snow leopard, Snow Leopard cubs, travel, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
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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
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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!
Be All You Can Be October 8, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: art, Be all you can be, books, Grolier Club, libraies, NYC, photography, US military
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The Grolier Club on East 60th Street is a hidden gem in NYC. I try to see each exhibit they present. The latest one is called ‘The Best-Read Army in the World’ and is fascinating. It just opened and will be on exhibit thru December. The NY Times coincidentally had a terrific article in yesterday’s paper about this exhibit. It is about the power of books at a time of censorship and repression and tells the story of how the US military fought against propaganda and promoted free thought by disseminating more than one billion books, magazines and newspapers to 16 million troops during WW2 across the world. 
Bats in the Belfry October 1, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Batober, Bats, flying foxes, flying mammals, guano, nature, NYC, photography, wildlife, zoo babies
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I have wanted to use this title for a long time just like last week’s Swimming with the Fishes. How lucky were we that the beginning of October starts on a Sunday? I love October with the fall leaves, pumpkins, birthdays and bats. Bats are our friends. Here are some fun bat facts – Bats can live more than 30 years and can fly at speeds of 60 miles per hour (or more!) Bats can find their food in total darkness. Bats can eat up to 1,200 mosquitoes an hour. More than half of the bat species in the United States are in severe decline or listed as endangered. Some bats hibernate in caves through the cold winter months. Pallid bats eat scorpions! Bat droppings, called guano, are one of the richest fertilizers. The world’s largest bat is the “flying fox,” which lives on islands in the South Pacific. Baby bats are called pups! Most bats have only one pup a year. The Bracken Bat Cave in Texas is home to the world’s largest bat colony. Happy Batober!
Swimming with the Fishes September 24, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Brooklyn, California Sea lion, Coney Island, Fish, Nathans hot dogs, NY Aquarium, sea horses, sea otters, The Godfather, WCS
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‘Swimming with the fishes’ is a famous line spoken by Peter Clemenza in The Godfather (directed by Francis Ford Coppola, 1972). I have always wanted you use it as a photo montage title so even though everything pictured in today’s montage is very much alive, here it is. My friend Robyn and I headed out to Coney Island this week for a fun adventure to the NY Aquarium on a beautiful September day and had a great time. Coney Island is filled with wonderful memories from my Brooklyn childhood and visiting is always a pleasure with a mandatory lunch at Nathan’s of course. Go visit – you will be glad you did.
A New York State of Mind September 17, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: city views, Empire State Building, I love NY, king kong, NYC, NYC skyline, Observation decks, photography
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My friend Robyn and I ascended to another observatory this week. The Empire State Building was calling our name. It was a glorious day and it was not crowded at all. The views, as always, were spectacular. We groused about all of the ugly new buildings that obscure views and destroy the skyline. That said, we had good laughs and are talking about our next adventure.
While at the Zoo 