Open Wide and Yawn August 24, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, baby animals, grizzly bears, hippo, lemur, nature, pelican, Scarlet Ibis chick, snow leopard, Tigers, wildlife, wolves, zoo babies, Zoos
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The lazy hazy crazy yawning days of summer are almost over and I am extremely happy about that. It is fun to photograph animals mid-yawning. Enjoy today’s photo montage and try to keep yourself from a yawn.
Dog Days of Summer August 17, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Audrey and Roberta, Benny the dog, cats, Dog Days of Summer, dogs, Jack the dog, Mr. Pepe, NYC, photography
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Raise your hand if you think this summer has been stupid hot. (Both my hands are raised). The dog days of summer are those hot and sultry days we are now experiencing. We have officially just ended that period called the dog days of summer— it is that time in August when the humidity is so high that you could cut the air with a knife. This year those 40 days happened between Thu, Jul 3, 2025 – Mon, Aug 11, 2025. I don’t think we are getting out of this weather pattern soon anytime soon. It is historically the period following the heliacal rising of the star system Sirius, which Hellenistic astrology connected with heat, drought, sudden thunderstorms, lethargy, fever, mad dogs, bad luck and curly hair. They are now taken to be the hottest, most uncomfortable part of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. So I have chosen to share my dogs of summer (both past and present), along with some of my cats to honor this dreaded season. I salute Sweet Benny, One-eyed Jack, Mr Pepe, and some of their walking buddies including Fuego, Conrad, Ivy and Max. Included are my present cats, Roberta, Audrey and Pete. We all await those falling leaves and pumpkins.
Central Park Zoo at 37 August 10, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: 37th anniversary, animals, baby animals, banded mongoose, big cats, Central Park Zoo, NYC, photography, Red Panda, Sea Ducks, sea lion, snow leopard, Snow Monkey, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
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Friday, August 8th, was the 37th anniversary of the Central Park Zoo. I am happy to say I have been associated with the zoo for the past 35 of those 37 years (that is probably how I know most of you). I thought in celebration of the wonderful animals that have crossed our paths (both past and present) I would share some of my favorite faces and photos. 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. Come visit us soon and a very Happy Anniversary!
National Zookeeper Week 2025 July 20, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, banded mongoose, Central Park Zoo, grizzly bear, King Penguins, nature, NYC, photography, Red Panda, sea lion, snow leopard, Snow Monkey, wildlife, 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.
Birding While Arting July 13, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, art, Art exhibit, Arting, birding, Birds, NYC, photography, wildlife
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My friend Donald and I have been ‘arting’ about once a week in the museums and galleries of NYC for the past 18 months. I thought I had made up the word ‘arting’ but recently searched its roots. It turns out the term ‘arting’ is not a standard English word, but it is sometimes used to refer to the act of creating art, or the process of using art to understand oneself and the world. Anyhow, it’s a good word and serves our purposes. From the beginning, whenever I saw a bird in a work of art, I would text that photo to one of my bird nerd friends. There is never any context in the text – I just send it to her. Sometimes she responds and other times she laughingly asks if I can buy it for her. So today’s montage features just a small number of these past texts. This was a fun montage to put together. Hope you enjoy these beautiful birds.
Salute to Red, White and Zoo July 4, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, cuban trogon, July Fourth, nature, NYC, photography, red, white and zoo, wildlife, zoocation, 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.
NYC Pride 2025 June 29, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Audrey and Roberta, Flatiron, Flatiron building, Mr. Pepe, NYC, NYC Pride Parade, Pete, photography, Rescue pets, Senior Pets, Stonewall
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My apartment has a perfect view of the beginning of the annual NYC Pride Parade. It is always festive, colorful, fun and very loud. Hope everyone enjoys the day wherever you are. Stay safe and have fun. My little gang (Mr. Pepe, Roberta, Audrey and Pete) have gone all out this year in colors of the rainbow. Most of these photos are from previous Pride Parades but since the Parade doesn’t start for another five hours enjoy my past photos.
Paterfamilias June 15, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, baby animals, Happy Father's Day, nature, Paterfamilias, photography, Snow Monkey, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
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While most caregivers in the animal kingdom are mothers, there are some fathers who join in the role as caregiver. I salute some of those fathers in today’s photo montage. Happy Father’s Day! Coincidentally – tomorrow is also National Martini Day. Why not celebrate that special day today? 
Mom’s the Word May 11, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, baby animals, Happy Mother's Day, Mom, photography, travel, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
8 comments
A very Happy Mother’s Day to all to all of the mothers, caregivers, nurturers, pamperers, surrogates and loving coddlers out there. I toast you all!
Look at the Birdie May 4, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Birds, birdwatching, Black and white warbler, National Bird Day, nature, NYC, photography, wildlife
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Today is National Bird Day. Their lovely songs, cooing and chirping can calm the soul. So I wondered why the term ‘for the birds’ is a negative one. The expression means worthless, useless, ridiculous or foolish. I categorically disagree. With over 2,000 species of birds in North America, birdwatchers and nature lovers alike will appreciate the beauty and variety of these winged friends offer. From songbirds to waterfowl and domesticated birds, they come in every color of plumage and wingspan. During the spring, migrating birds move to their summer nesting grounds. It’s an excellent time for those new to birdwatching to learn to identify birds by species. Enthusiasts also know that birds will migrate through backyards and stop for a rest, a bite to eat, and a drink if the right habitat is provided. From my own little perch in the middle of Manhattan I have seen an American Kestrel, Red-tailed Hawk, hummingbirds and of course the ever present NYC pigeon. These passerby’s delight me and my three cats. A bit of trivia – Charles Almanzo Babcock, Oil City, Pennsylvania Superintendent of Schools, established the first Bird Day in 1894. It was also the first holiday in the United States dedicated to the celebration of birds. Babcock founded the day, observed annually on May 4th, to advance bird conservation as a moral value. I photographed the black and white warbler (my title photo above) while at the Central Park Zoo when my expert birder friend Mary I pointed it out to me.
While at the Zoo 