Don’t Bug Me! September 25, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: American Museum of atural History, animals, Central Park Zoo, Insects, Leon Biss, nature, NYC, photography, Photography Workshop
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The exhibit Extinct and Endangered at the Museum of Natural History is fascinating, beautiful and amazing. British photographer Leon Biss has created eye popping, way larger than life (some are over 8 ft wide) photos of insects. ‘Photographs in Extinct and Endangered are created from over 10,000 individual images using a bespoke camera system and microscope objectives, with the final artworks revealing intricate details normally hidden from the human eye’. This exhibit is available with general admission tickets. Go see it and avail yourself of this photographic wonder. Speaking of photos, I am happy to announce the Central Park Zoo will once again be holding adult photo sessions after a two year hiatus. This time we feature my favorite – PUMPKINS! It is being held on Sunday October 23rd and you can sign up here. https://centralparkzoo.com/learn/adults/adult-programs. See you there! 
Int’l. Red Panda Day September 18, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Central Park Zoo, International Red Panda Day, photography, Photography Workshop, Red Panda, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
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Yesterday was International Red Panda Day. 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. Speaking of photos, I am happy to announce the the Central Park Zoo will once again be holding adult photo sessions after a two year hiatus. This time we feature my favorite – PUMPKINS! It is being held on Sunday October 23rd and you can sign up here. See you there!
The Cat’s Meow August 28, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, black footed cat, Brooklyn, Hamadryas baboons, nature, NYC, Pallas Cat, photography, Prospect Park Zoo, Red Panda, Sand cats, wildlife, Zoos
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If you love small cats as much as I do then trot on over to Brooklyn’s Prospect Park Zoo. They now have Pallas, Black-footed and Sand cats. What a treat. The zoo suffered terrible damage last year during Hurricane Ida but it is now fully restored and open every day. You can also see their new red panda, new baboon troop and much more. I admit to some bias as this was the zoo of my childhood. Check it out for yourself – you will not be disappointed.
A Coney Island of the Mind August 14, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Coney Island, Nathans hot dogs, nature, NY Aquarium, NYC, photography, wildlife, Zoos
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“I once started out to walk around the world but ended up in Brooklyn, that Bridge was too much for me.” – I adore Coney Island. I have precious, fun memories of time spent at Coney Island and the New York Aquarium as a kid. I even recall when the NY Aquarium opened in its present location in 1957. The history of the NYAQ is quite interesting. I try to get to Coney Island every few months and never fail to go to Nathan’s for lunch. Ten years after Hurricane Sandy devastated the area the New York Aquarium is finally fully reopened and well worth your time to visit. Don’t forget to visit Nathan’s too. Yum!
34th Anniversary of the Central Park Zoo August 7, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: 34th anniversary, animals, baby animals, Central Park Zoo, Grizzly bears Betty and Veronica, Gus the polar bear, nature, NYC, photography, Snow Leopard cubs, Snow Monkey, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
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Tomorrow is the 34th anniversary of the Central Park Zoo. I am happy to say I have been associated with the zoo for the past 32 of those 34 years (that is probably how I know most of you). Thought I would share some photos of our wonderful animals both past and present. See how many you recognize. The zoo began in the 1860s as a menagerie. The zoo or menagerie (as it was called) started inside and around the Arsenal (built in 1848 – which now houses our WCS administrative offices and the NYC Parks Dept). The zoo was modified in 1934 as part of the WPA with the addition of many new buildings arranged in a quadrangle around the sea lion pool. In a contract with NYC, the zoo was completely renovated in the mid-1980s and with much fanfare, reopened on August 8th, 1988, replacing the old-fashioned cages with naturalistic environments. Check out some great photos from the early days of the zoo. https://www.nycgovparks.org/about/history/zoos/central-park-zoo. Come visit us soon and a very Happy Anniversary!
Stone Zoo in 2022 July 31, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, baby animals, hyrex, photography, Porcupette, Sloth, Stone Zoo, wildlife, zoo babies
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Last month’s trip to New England also had us visiting the always improving Stone Zoo. We were lucky to discover a pre-hensile tailed porcupine mom and her baby porcupette who had been born the previous evening. Sometimes you just get lucky. It was a fun visit.
Boston’s Franklin Park Zoo July 24, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, baby animals, Boston, Franklin Park Zoo, nature, photography, wildlife, Zoos
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Took a delightful trip to Massachusetts and few weeks ago to visit good friends. Among the fun things we did was visit the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston. Our goal was to see their gorilla troop in their brand new outdoor exhibit. Sadly it was raining but I report that the new exhibit is terrific. Maybe next time?
National Zookeeper Appreciation Week – 2022 July 17, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Central Park Zoo, photography, wildlife, Zookeeper Appreciation Week, Zoos
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The third week in July is when we recognize and celebrate the dedicated zookeepers who keep our zoos and aquariums humming. Zookeeper’s faces may change from year to year but the hard work, resourcefulness and commitment remain the same. I salute you all and especially the staff at my home base, the Central Park Zoo. Thank you for allowing me to take your photos while you perform your tasks with good humor. We are open 365 days a year thru rain, snow, summer heat and all holidays. National Zookeeper Week starts today. How about if you go to a zoo this week tell a zookeeper how much they are appreciated? 
Red, White and Zoo in ’22 July 3, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, baby animals, Central Park Zoo, July Fourth, nature, NYC, photography, Red Panda, wildlife, Zoos
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Summer is a time for reruns. Accordingly I share last year’s July 4th post. This was a fun montage to create. I didn’t realize how many animals could be included in this red, white and blue themed photo montage. Wishing you a safe, happy holiday and keep those pets inside as most are afraid of the noisy fireworks.
Pride and Prejudice June 26, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, art, Audrey and Roberta, Empire State Building, NYC, NYC Pride Parade, photography, Pride, rainbow
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It has been a long tough week for most of us. It is incomprehensible to lose a Constitutional right. The Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides a fundamental “right to privacy” that protects a pregnant woman’s liberty to choose whether to have an abortion. That all changed on Friday with the outrageous SCOTUS decision. Thought I would try to put a smile or two on faces out there by sharing some photos of my little collection of critters as they celebrate Pride without prejudice.
While at the Zoo 