Late Fall at the NY Aquarium January 26, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Brooklyn, High Line, Nathans hot dogs, NY Aquarium, photography, Photography Workshop, travel, wildlife, Zoos
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My California family visited NYC Thanksgiving week. We did lots of great fun touristy things like walking over the Brooklyn Bridge and then having Grimaldi’s pizza in Brooklyn (yum), the Thanksgiving Day parade, the High Line and the Vessel at Hudson Yards. Not to be missed was a chance to go to Coney Island for some delicious Nathan’s hot dogs and fries. While at Coney Island we also visited the NY Aquarium. We were lucky that it was not crowded and could spend more quality time with these beautiful sea creatures.It was a fabulous week. Two weeks to go until our February 9th Central Park Zoo Valentine themed photo session. Sign up here for some before the zoo opens photo fun. 
Roger Williams Park Zoo, Providence RI January 19, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Baby anteater, nature, photography, Photography Workshop, Providence RI, Roger Williams Park Zoo, travel, zoo babies, zoocation
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It was a dreary, rainy, cold late fall afternoon when we went to Rhode Island’s Roger Williams Park Zoo. We were perhaps the only two visitors that weekday, but sometimes wonderful surprises happen when you least expect them. We were treated to observing both the giant and lesser (tamandua) anteaters. The giant anteater had a baby on her back (a photo first for both of us). The zookeepers we met were delightful and open to sharing stories and photo ops for us. It was a terrific visit and I encourage you to stop in if you are going through Providence. Just three weeks to go until our photo session at the Central Park Zoo. Think hearts. Sign up here. There are a few spaces left.
Introducing Mr. Pepe January 12, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Friends with Four Paws, Mr. Pepe, NYC, photography, Photography Workshop, Susie's Senior Dogs
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A big welcome to the newest member of the Gang at Casa Lobo – Mr. Pepe. He is about nine years old and is a sweet, loving, quiet, cat tolerating, friendly addition to the family. We have sadly been dog-less for fourteen months when we had to say goodbye to One-eyed Jack. I follow Susie’s Senior Dogs on facebook and have been watching for that one special dog to appear. About a month ago I saw an ad (featuring Mr.Pepe’s photo in upper left) for their pop up adoption event in Soho (see ad below in montage). I walked down to Soho, met Mr. Pepe, spoke with his amazing foster Mom and that was pretty much it. After my application and references (thank you Sue, Kelly and Karen) were processed – he was ours. A shout out to the all volunteers at Friends with Four Paws who orchestrate the transfer and placement of dogs from Oklahoma into foster homes in the New York/NJ/CT. My three cats (especially Roberta) came around pretty quickly and we are looking forward to new adventures together. Audrey the cat has been sniffing him quite a bit. However, Pete is taking his sweet time. He will come around…I am sure.A reminder that my photo session at the Central Park Zoo is one month from today (Feb.9). It promises to be lots of fun, photo worthy and filled with hearts. Sign up here. 
Muir Woods January 5, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Muir Woods, nature, photography, travel, vacation
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We spent a fun and active week with family in California. We hadn’t visited Muir Woods in 10 years. To add to this once in a decade experience we decided to recreate our old family photo from 2010 (resulting effort at bottom of montage). We enjoyed strolling through this amazing space with graceful redwoods, delicate ferns, clover, fallen trees and beautiful light throughout. Needless to say we had many laughs recreating our 2010 photo and a shout out to a kind stranger who took our photo. If you are in the area I strongly suggest a visit but please note that reservations are now required due to a severe shortage of parking spaces. Happy New Year!
No ‘if’s – Just Ends and Butts – 2019 December 29, 2019
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: 2019 photos, End of the year, photography, travel, wildlife, zoocation, Zoos
7 comments
It has been another good photo year for new faces, places and spaces. Thank you for coming along for the ride. I celebrate the end of my 16th year of Sunday photo montages, and following tradition, I leave you with with no ‘ifs,’ – just ends and butts. Below is a list of some of the places that we have visited in 2019. We have not plotted out our 2020 zoocation but are looking forward to more zoos next year and wishing you all a very Happy Zoo Year!SF Zoo, Macys Parade. 
The Cloisters December 22, 2019
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Fort Tryon Park, Gothic, NYC, photography, Photography Workshop, Romanesque, The Cloisters, Unicorns
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One of my favorite places in NYC is the Metropolitan Museum’s Cloisters in Fort Tryon Park. I try to make my way at least once a year. Our visit took place on a rainy, foggy, misty day which made for an even more special atmosphere. Not being able to see more than a few feet in front of us allowed our imaginations to soar thinking about the Romanesque and Gothic origins of this European structure and treasures. Yes the Cloisters sits in upper Manhattan but it is really a world away. After our visit a short walk took us to the delightful New Leaf Cafe in Fort Tryon Park for lunch. Still wondering what to get that certain someone who loves animals and taking photos? Check out these two photo opportunities at the Central Park Zoo.
Prospect Park Zoo – Winter 2019 December 15, 2019
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: baby animals, Brooklyn, Hamadryas baboons, nature, NYC, photography, Photography Workshop, Prospect Park Zoo, Red Panda, sea lion, wildlife, Zoos
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I had the pleasure of spending a few days in the past month at the Prospect Park Zoo. As some of you know – this was the zoo of my childhood so it holds a very special place in my heart. I googled Prospect Park Zoo and got some interesting history facts here. Please visit if you can while their two red panda cubs are still young and you might also get to see their week old baby boy Hamadryas baboon. Can’t decide what to get that special somebody on your holiday list? How about buying tickets to one of Central Park Zoo’s photo sessions. Check them out here:
Zoocation 2019 ends with the San Francisco Zoo December 8, 2019
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Central Park Zoo, photography, Photography Workshop, San Francisco Zoo, travel, zoocation, Zoos
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The 9th and final stop on Zoocation 2019 was the always enjoyable San Francisco Zoo. My good friend and Co-Director of Animal Care Dom Dorsa greeted us and spent quality time showing us all of the new things that are happening at the zoo. I have been coming to SF Zoo for the past 20 years and it feels like a very comfortable second home. Thanks Dom for spending time with us. We will be returning soon. My friend and photographer extraordinaire, Mary Schwalm has created a new desk calendar for 2019. Happy to report she has eliminated the plastic holder and it is now a self-contained earth friendly multi-purpose calendar. For a sneak peek and also information on how to order yours click here.
Lastly, our two photo sessions are now ‘live’ on the Central Park Zoo’s website. The February session will feature Valentine animal enrichment fun. The spring session (spending on the arrival of spring) will feature seasonal animal enrichment. Sessions fill up quickly. Sign up here. 
A MIghty Windy Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade December 1, 2019
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, marching bands, NYC, photography, Santa, travel
11 comments
I was lucky to be able to score six bleacher tickets for the parade. Prior to the parade the local weather forecasters were predicting dire circumstances for the balloons. Would they fly or wouldn’t they fly? Turns out they did fly (sort of). Most of the balloons were horizontal and it was very tricky to try to contain them. Kudos to the balloon handlers for generally keeping them afloat. My family loved the parade despite the cold, the wind and the two hour wait before it began. Hope you had a warm, cozy, yummy Thanksgiving with family and friends – I know we did.
Oakland Zoo November 24, 2019
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Oakland Zoo, photography, travel, wildlife, zoo babies, zoocation, Zoos
4 comments
Our penultimate stop on 2019 Zoocation was the always terrific Oakland Zoo. I have been visiting this facility for the past 20 years when my niece moved to the west coast. It has grown and only gotten more enjoyable with each visit. A big shout out to Chantal for arranging our visit and to docent Guy for a fun filled tour of the California trail. We spent a lot of time watching their bears play in the water and also spotting their litter of wolf pups. The views are amazing from the top of the facility. If you are on the west coast I encourage you to visit.
While at the Zoo 