The Tree (no, not that one) December 4, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, art, Christmas Tree, creche, Madison Square Park, Metropolitan Museum, NYC, photography
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The Rockefeller Christmas tree steals all of the hype and publicity but my favorite holiday tree is at the Metropolitan Museum. The ornaments and figurines were donated in 1964 by private collector Loretta Hines Howard. The crèche is much older than that. It was made in the 18th century by Italian sculptor Giuseppe Sanmartino from Naples.The magnificently lit 20 foot blue spruce looms over the 18th century Neapolitan Nativity scene surrounded by an abundant array of lifelike figures with robed angels hovering above. You can see this beauty thru January 8 2023. New York City’s first public Christmas tree was actually located in Madison Square Park in 1912. The tree arrived in Madison Square Park on December 21,1912, measuring 60 feet tall. The tree was draped with 2,300 colored electric bulbs donated by the Edison Company. Emilie D. Lee Herreshoff. She proposed a way that would allow everyone, even those who couldn’t afford their own tree, to celebrate the holiday season and participate in the tree lighting. 
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year October 30, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Central Park Zoo, nature, NYC, photography, Photography Workshop, Pumpkin enrichment, Red Panda, snow leopard, Snow Monkey, wildlife, Zoos
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The most wonderful time of year for me is pumpkin season. It is fun, colorful and enriching. Enjoy last Sunday’s photos from our fun photo session at the Central Park Zoo. 
International Snow Leopard Day October 23, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Central Park Zoo, International Snow Leoard Day, nature, NYC, photography, snow leopard, Snow Leopard cubs, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
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Full disclosure – I love taking photos of snow leopards. They are beautiful animals and especially captivating in the snow. A salute to the Central Park Zoo’s snow leopards on International Snow Leopard Day . Here’s to Mei Mei, Bo, Molly, Askai, Malala, River, Summit, Asha and Valens, all pictured here, our very special Central Park Zoo cats both past and present. 
Tisch Children’s Zoo at 25 October 2, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Central Park Zoo, nature, NYC, petting zoo, photography, Photography Workshop, Sea Ducks, Tisch Children's Zoo, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
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September was the 25th anniversary of the opening of the Tisch Children’s Zoo as an addition to the Central Park Zoo. The zoo was designed especially for children age 6 and under, allowing little animal lovers to meet gentle creatures up close. The “Enchanted Forest” features a petting zoo with goats, sheep and a cow that the kids can feed. I remember opening day very well and it is still one of my favorite spots at the zoo. I dedicate today’s montage to many of our beloved Tisch animals both past and present. Enjoy this trip down memory lane with some of our favorite animals such as Othello, Otis and Oliver, Beet, Turnip, Sid, Frankie and Milo, Curly, Abe, Spot, Major Mitchell’s and the Kookaburras. Want to visit Tisch? Come to my photo session at the Central Park Zoo. It is being held on Sunday October 23rd and you can sign up here. https://centralparkzoo.com/learn/adults/adult-programs. 
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.
While at the Zoo 