Another West Side Story April 24, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Google, High Line, Little Island, Manhattan, NYC, photography, Pier 57, Publc space, The Edge, travel, West Side
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The West Side of Manhattan is growing and changing in a mostly good way. Pier 57 is the latest free, public space opened this week (thanks to Google)and I decided to check it out early on Earth Day. The food hall is not open yet but it surely will draw a crowd and is located right next to the wonderful Little Island. I decided to walk home via the High Line which is also one of my favorite spots (if you can get there early). Since it opened in 2009 the surrounding area has encroached ever closer to this lovely public space and the construction seems endless. Hudson Yards is at the end of the High Line and has an observation deck called The Edge which I went to a little over a year ago. Get out and explore Manhattan if you can. It is great exercise and the views are outstanding. Hint: go early because the tourists are back.
Eye Candy April 17, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: bunnies, Easter, Economy Candy, NYC, Passover, photography, Ramadan
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Truth be told I would much rather have a pretzel than a piece of candy. That said – I do love all kinds of holiday stuff. So with candy in mind I headed down to the Lower East Side to my favorite candy store, Economy Candy . My search for Peeps was stopped quickly as the manager told me that the factory had closed down during Covid and he could not get any Pepe’s this year. Sigh. But I found lots of other goodies that filled my eye with color and shouting graphics. What did I buy? I bought yummy chocolate covered matzoh. Wishing all a happy Easter, Passover and Ramadan. 
Zoo Lover’s Day April 10, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, baby animals, National Zoo Lover's Day, nature, photography, travel, wildlife, zoo babies, zoocation, Zoos
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April 8th, was National Zoo Lover’s Day. Needless to say – I am a big zoo fan. I stopped counting but think we have been to about 150 zoos and aquariums on our wonderful, fun zoocations that came to a screeching halt when COVID arrived. Looking forward to returning to those trips someday soon. Today’s photo montage features some photos from those adventures.
– It is estimated that over 600 million people visit zoos each year.
– There are more than 2,800 zoos and aquariums in the world.
– Germany has more zoos than any other country – 414!
– The US has more than 350 zoos. The total number of AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums is 238.
– Over 30 US zoos have more than 1 million visitors a year. Disney’s Animal Kingdom has the most with 9.5 million visitors each year.
– The Philadelphia Zoo is the oldest zoo in the US. It opened on July 1, 1874.
– The oldest running zoo in the world is the Vienna Zoo in Schonbrunn. It was founded in 1752.
Why not go out and visit your favorite Zoo today, enjoy the outdoors and see some amazing animals?
Who are you wearing? April 3, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: art, costumes, Fashion as art, Garmenting, Museum of Art and Design, NYC, photography
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I am not a fashionista. I pretty much wear the same thing everyday. That said – I do appreciate fashion as expression and as an art form. The Museum of Art and Design never fails to have thought provoking and unusual exhibitions and this is one of them. From their website – ‘The first global survey exhibition dedicated to the use of clothing as a medium of visual art, Garmenting: Costume as Contemporary Art examines work by thirty-five international contemporary artists. By making or altering clothing for expressive purposes, these artists create garments, sculpture, installation, and performance art that transform dress into a critical tool. Adopted globally as an artistic strategy, garmenting uses the language of fashion to challenge traditional divisions of form and function, cast a critical eye on the construction of gender, advance political activism, and address cultural difference’. If you have never been to this place I highly suggest you visit. It is at Columbus Circle and has grand views of Central Park and a wonderful restaurant on the top floor.
Power of the Dog March 27, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: AKC, animals, art, dogs of war and peace, James Mellick, Museum of the Dog, NYC, photography, rescue dogs, war dogs
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The AKC’s Dog Museum has a new exhibit about the amazingly powerful dogs of war. The exhibit runs through July 19, 2022. This exhibit features ten life-sized, carved-wood allegorical memorials by sculptor James Mellick on display from his “Wounded Warrior Dogs” and “Over the Rainbow Bridge” collections, along with the museum’s permanent collection, which includes sculptures, paintings, collars, vests, photographs and more. This exhibit is a heart breaker and definitely makes you think. War is hell. These incredible dogs are heroes. 
Queens for a Day March 20, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Andean bear cubs, andean bears, baby animals, bison, nature, NYC, photography, Pudu, Queens Zoo, sea lion, thick-billed parrots, wildlife
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It has been almost one year since I visited the delightful 18 acre Queens Zoo. My goal was to see their adorable eight month old Andean bear cubs. I was not disappointed. The cubs were active until late morning. They got tired pretty much the same time that I did. I was charmed by the noisy but beautiful thick-billed parrots, lynx, pumas, elk, sea lions, bison, family farm and of course their pair of pudu. I encourage you to visit while these cubs are still young. You too can be Queen (or King) for a day.
Hello Dolly! March 13, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: art, art exhibitions, Black Dolls, culture, history, New York Histrorical Society, NYC, NYHS, photography
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The New York Historical Society has a fascinating and informative new exhibit featuring Black Dolls. ‘Black Dolls explores handmade cloth dolls made primarily by African American women between 1850 and 1940 through the lens of race, gender, and history. The exhibition immerses visitors in the world of dolls, doll play, and doll making while examining the formation of racial stereotypes and confronting the persistence of racism in American history.’ The exhibit is on thru June 5th, 2022. I encourage you to visit. For those that like tradition…here is my usual post when we Spring Forward.
Orchidaceae March 6, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: art, flowers, nature, NYBG, NYC, Orchidaceae, photography
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The New York Botanical Garden’s orchid show is in its 19th year. Once again Jeff Leatham’s bold and colorful vision unfolds through captivating installations and designs, transforming the historic Enid A. Haupt Conservatory into a different color experience and visual effect, like the turn of a kaleidoscope. Orchid towers of orange, yellow, and green, undulating fields of white, and overhead plumes of purple, together with artistic embellishments and a kaleidoscopic tunnel of lights, will delight visitors now thru May 1, 2022.
No shit, Sherlock February 27, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: art, Grolier Club, no shit sherlock, NYC, photography, Sherlock Holmes
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I am a big fan of the character Sherlock Holmes created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The expression No shit, Sherlock is believed to have originated between the 1940’s to 1950’s. I remember using that term while in high school to state the obvious. One of the first known uses of the expression in popular culture was in the 1986 movie Little Shop of Horrors. Sherlock Holmes in 221 Objects draws upon the preeminent collection assembled by Glen S. Miranker, rich in bibliographic rarities, manuscripts, books, correspondence, and artwork, all with fascinating stories to tell. Named for the address of the detective’s Baker Street lodgings, the exhibition presents items that will intrigue bibliophiles, Sherlockians, and general audiences and is running until April 16 at the Grolier Club on East 60th Street. Sherlock Holmes is the most portrayed literary human character in film and television history, having appeared on screen 254 times as of 2012. Here is a list of actors who have played Sherlock Holmes. 
You’re My Type February 20, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Haverhall MA, Heidelberg, Linotype, Museum of Printing, North Andover MA, photography, Type
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How long can an unedited photo folder stay on my desktop? Today’s salute to printing has been on my desktop for 12 years. On one of my many trips to visit good friends in New England we visited the Museum of Printing when it was in North Andover in 2010. It moved to its present location in Haverhill MA in 2016. The Museum of Printing is dedicated to preserving the rich history of the graphic arts, printing and typesetting technology, and printing craftsmanship. We are all spoiled now that each one of us can compile, edit, and print from our own computers. This Museum takes us back on the journey of how it used to be. Fascinating stuff. Their website is filled with interesting items and stories. Please check it out. The South Street Seaport Museum has an interesting collection too and it is now on my ’to go’ list.
While at the Zoo 