All That Glitters… April 6, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: anniversary, art, Art exhibit, Brooklyn, Brooklyn Museum, lunch, NYC, photography, Solid Gold, Toms
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The Brooklyn Museum’s 200th Anniversary is being celebrated with a dazzling, glitzy, all encompassing exhibit entitled Solid Gold. With over 500 works, taking up almost the entire fifth floor, we spent two hours enjoying this wonderful exhibition. The majesty of gold in a shimmering exhibition dedicated to the element that has inspired countless works of art, fashion, film, music, and design. As a material and a color, gold has symbolized beauty, honor, joy, ritual, spirituality, success, and wealth throughout history. It has also taken on myriad forms: from millennia-old depictions of an idealized world to opulent 13th- and 14th-century Italian altarpieces and intricate Japanese screens, to contemporary artwork and haute couture marvels. With a sweeping range of objects and a global perspective, this exhibition traces the many odysseys of the metal that has influenced cultures and legacies worldwide to this day. This exhibit is on through July 6th, 2025. An important part of our ‘arting’ days is lunch. The Brooklyn Museum recently closed their delicious dining experience on the first floor. Instead they have a cafeteria style unappetizing section near the front door. Since art makes us hungry we ventured out to Washington Place and found Tom’s Restaurant, established in 1936. I would imagine that not much has changed since 1936 (even the prices). Long story short…it is now our ‘go to’ lunch experience when at the Brooklyn Museum.
Swimming with the Fishes September 24, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Brooklyn, California Sea lion, Coney Island, Fish, Nathans hot dogs, NY Aquarium, sea horses, sea otters, The Godfather, WCS
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‘Swimming with the fishes’ is a famous line spoken by Peter Clemenza in The Godfather (directed by Francis Ford Coppola, 1972). I have always wanted you use it as a photo montage title so even though everything pictured in today’s montage is very much alive, here it is. My friend Robyn and I headed out to Coney Island this week for a fun adventure to the NY Aquarium on a beautiful September day and had a great time. Coney Island is filled with wonderful memories from my Brooklyn childhood and visiting is always a pleasure with a mandatory lunch at Nathan’s of course. Go visit – you will be glad you did.
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.
Six Feet Under September 5, 2021
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: art, Brooklyn, Greenwood Cemetery, nature, NYC, photography, wildlife
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In my quest to try to have a weekly adventure we took a short trip to Brooklyn in early August to visit beautiful Green-Wood Cemetery. I hadn’t been there in about 15 years and thought it deserved a new look. It was founded in 1838 as one of America’s first rural cemeteries. Still an active cemetery, the Green-Wood of today is also a cultural institution and an outdoor museum that tells the history and cultures of the borough, city and the nation. Today, Green-Wood’s 478 acres serve as the final resting place for over 570,000 permanent residents. Among the permanent residents are such notables as Leonard Bernstein, Boss Tweed, Charles Ebbets, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Louis Comfort Tiffany, Horace Greeley, Margaret Pine (who was the last enslaved African-American in New York), numerous Civil War generals, baseball legends, politicians, artists, entertainers and inventors. I discovered after our visit that Pete Hamill is buried near Boss Tweed’s grave. Next time I go I will have to pay my respects to one of my favorite writers. The cemetery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997 and was made a National Historic Landmark in 2006. A magnet for history buffs and bird watchers, Green-Wood is a Revolutionary War historic site (the Battle of Long Island was fought in 1776 across what is now its grounds), a designated site on the Civil War Discovery Trail, and a registered member of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System. It is free and open every day of the year. 
It’s Snow Time! February 14, 2021
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, baby animals, Brooklyn, nature, NYC, photography, Prospect Park Zoo, Zoos
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NYC finally is remembering what winter is supposed to be like. In February alone we have had about 25 inches and it is only the 14th. I am lucky that I do not have to shovel or drive in the snow – but I do a lot of walking and that can be treacherous. That said – I do love the snow. It is pretty and it makes the City quieter. I was lucky to have photo assignments for the past two weeks at Brooklyn’s Prospect Park Zoo, As most of you know – that is my childhood zoo so each visit brings back a flood of memories. Enjoy some of the images I captured on my past two visits. I have not forgotten Valentine’s Day but my usual animal photos to recognize this loving day will be somewhat belated. Keep washing those hands. Socially distance and please wear a mask. Spring is about 30 days away. 
Brooklyn Bound October 18, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: baby animals, Brooklyn, nature, NYC, photography, Prospect Park Zoo, Red Panda, River Otter, wildlife, Zoos
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After eight long months of being on the island of Manhattan I took the Q train and ventured to Brooklyn’s Prospect Park Zoo this week. As most of you know, the Prospect Park Zoo was the zoo of my youth and I have a special place for it in my heart. It was a fun, productive visit and it was great to see the friendly faces of the staff and of course to revisit their wonderful collection of animals. Enjoy this week’s salute to Brooklyn and please wear a mask, socially distance, wash your hands and be safe.
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.
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.
Summer at the NY Aquarium August 25, 2019
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Brooklyn, Coney Island, New York Aquarium, NYC, photography, wildlife, Zoos
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My last visit to Brooklyn’s New York Aquarium was in mid-March. It was cold and damp. The upside was that it wasn’t crowded at all. This visit was fun even though there were many more visitors enjoying the summer in Coney Island. We sat through their delightful sea lion behavior show which I had not seen in many years. All in all we had a fun visit which of course included a walk down the boardwalk and a visit to famous Nathan’s. Yum!
June is Bustin’ Out All Over (Brooklyn) June 2, 2019
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: baby animals, Brooklyn, photography, Prospect Park Zoo, Red Panda, sea lion, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
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Spent another work day this week at my childhood zoo – the Prospect Park Zoo. The zoo looks amazing. It is green, vibrant and fun. Enjoy a June day in Brooklyn!
While at the Zoo 