Birding While Arting July 13, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, art, Art exhibit, Arting, birding, Birds, NYC, photography, wildlife
7 comments
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
2 comments
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
4 comments
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
5 comments
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
8 comments
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.
Hippity Hop April 20, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Audrey and Roberta, Benny the dog, Easter bunny, nature, One-eyed Jack the Dog, photography, Rabbits, wildlife
7 comments
The most prominent secular symbol of the Christian holiday, the Easter Bunny, was reportedly introduced to America by German immigrants who brought over their stories of an egg-laying hare. The decoration of eggs is believed to date back to at least the 13th century. In Christianity, rabbits represent rebirth and resurrection, particularly during Easter celebrations. The rabbit’s ability to reproduce quickly also signifies fertility and new life. Rabbits are the ‘go to’ animal during this holiday. See if you can spot some of these breeds in today’s photo montage: Himalayans, Belgian Hares, Flemish Giants, Holland Lops, Giant Chinchillas, Dwarf Hotots, Harelquins, Thriantas. We have never had a bunny at Casa Lobo so the photos above is the closest we could get. 
Irish Breeds March 16, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, art, Art exhibit, Benny the dog, dogs, Irish Breeds, Madison the cat, Mr. Pepe, Museum of the Dog, NYC, photography
12 comments
Top o’ the morning to all. There are nine Native Dogs of Ireland. Two Hounds – Irish Wolfhound and Kerry Beagle, three Gun dogs – Irish Water Spaniel, Irish Red Setter and Irish Red & White Setter, four Terriers – Irish Terrier, Irish Glen of Imaal Terrier, Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier and Kerry Blue Terrier. The Museum of the Dog featured these nine breeds in their latest exhibit. It is on through March 30th. There are also cats with Irish roots. Namely the Manx cat as well as the Cymric cat. Both of these cat types have very short to entirely absent tails as a mutation to the usual cat body structure. The Cymric cat is the long haired variety of the Manx. Today’s photo montage features all of these splendid breeds. You might notice that I took the liberty of including some of my own cherished pets in all their Irish splendor. The bottom photo is a feature of the Museum of the Dog. There’s a booth where you snap your photo and the Museum pairs you up with your dog match. This visit I was matched with a Maltese who is part of the ’toy group’ and is gentle, playful and charming. Perfect!
You Can’t Keep a Good Dog Down February 16, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: AKC, animals, best in show, dogs, Monty the giant schnauzer, Mr. Pepe, NYC, photography, show dogs, Westminster Dog Show
2 comments
We attended the Westminster Dog Show once again. We like the Benching area the best. You can schmooze with the handlers, the owners, the judges and of course the adorable pooches. I did not get a photo of Monty the Giant Schnauzer who won Best in Show but all of the contenders were winners to me. I especially am fond of the dog at the bottom of today’s photo montage. That’s my boy, Mr Pepe, who is always a good boy and Best in Show to me. Woof!
Groundhog Day February 2, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Audrey and Roberta, baby animals, giraffe, Groundhog Day, nature, NYC, photography, Sea Ducks, shadows, Snow Leopard cubs, wildlife, Zoos
2 comments
Yes, it is Groundhog Day (again). If Puxatawny Phil or Staten Island Chuck see their shadows we will have six more weeks of winter. I share some of my classic zoo shadow photos today where all of these amazing animals (including one of my own house cats) see their shadows.
While at the Zoo 