Ya gotta know when to fold ’em (part one) July 14, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, baby animals, big cats, Central Park Zoo, nature, NYC, photography, retirement, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
18 comments
After 35 wonderful years at the Central Park Zoo, first as a volunteer Friday Zoo Guide for 20 years and then 15 years as their photographer I decided it was time to hang up my lens. As they say ‘ya gotta know when to fold ‘em’ and seemed like the right time to retire. This blog was started 20 years ago as a way to share all of the photos I took ‘while at the zoo.’ I met many of you through my occasional weekend themed photo classes where you got special access to our collection before zoo hours and others if you worked at the the zoo. To the rest of my subscribers I thank you for being part of my Sunday posts. I already miss the amazing staff at CPZ and of course miss our beautiful collection of animals. Am I going to continue this blog? Absolutely! Will I keep going to zoos? Most definitely! Today’s montage is Part One of some of my favorite photos I took over those years (past and present). I hope you stay along for the ride and my next chapter in life. 
Parting Shots of 2023 December 31, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: 2023, animals, baby animals, Butts, Central Park Zoo, Happy new year, nature, NYC, photo montage, photography, Snow Monkey, Tushes, wildlife, Zoos
9 comments
Today’s montage completes 20 years of my sending out these Sunday photos. By my calculations (and I won the math award in eighth grade) that’s over 1000 Sunday photo montages. Yikes! Thanks for coming along for the ride. Some of you have been with me for the entire 20 years. I am very thankful for that and welcome all of my new subscribers. Hoping to do my best to keep posting on Sundays. I leave you as always with no ‘ifs, just ends, butts and tushies.’ Wishing everyone a very happy and healthy New Year. 
Rock Paper Scissors July 23, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, art, baby animals, Central Park Zoo, Mueum of Art and design, National Zookeeper Appreciation Week, NYC, Paper Dresses, photography
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The Museum of Art and Design presents Generation Paper: A Fashion Phenom of the 1960s which explores the era’s short-lived phenomenon of paper fashion through more than 60 rare garments and accessories crafted from non-woven textiles. These fashions, introduced in 1966 as a promotional campaign for Scott Paper Company, combined bold, graphic design with space-age innovations in materials. Sporting patterns inspired by pop art, op art, anti-war “flower power,” and more, paper fashion’s iconic silhouettes and styles—from A-line mini dresses to bikinis—became daring demonstrations of the durability and design potential of the era’s newly developed paper-like fibers, such as rayon (a cellulose fiber), polyester, and other synthetic blends. For those that are interested here is a brief history of Paper Dresses. This exhibit is on thru August 27.
Top o’ the mornin’ to ya! March 17, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Central Park Zoo, Mr. Pepe, nature, NYC, photography, St. Patrick's Day, Wearing of the green, wildlife, Zoos
8 comments
An infrequent mid-week photo montage is in order this special day. Happy St. Patrick’s Day to one and all. We will all be wearing some green today as do these amazing beautiful animals. Erin go Bragh!
Best in Snow Memories March 5, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Central Park Zoo, grizzly bears, nature, NYC, photography, Red Panda, Sea Ducks, sea lion, snow leopard, Snow Leopard cubs, Snow Monkey, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
15 comments
This winter has thus far been a bust in NYC. I know it has been hard in other places that normally do not get snow but for us…meh. I do not drive and do not have to shovel, so for me, the snow is an opportunity to simply admire nature and take lots of photos of beautiful animals at the Central Park Zoo. I searched my photo archives for some of my favorite snow photos. I enjoyed my trip down memory lane and hope you do too.
My Furry Valentine February 19, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animal enrichment, animals, Central Park Zoo, NYC, photography, Red Panda, snow leopard, Snow Monkey, Valentine's Day, wildlife, Zoos
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Valentine’s Day is my second favorite enrichment time for our Central Park Zoo animals (pumpkins are first). The keeper staff has fun creating new items for enrichment and our collection animals (and I) enjoy it very much. Hope you get a few smiles from these photos too.
‘Tis the Season December 11, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Arsenal Gallery, art, art exhibitions, Central Park Zoo, NYC, NYC Parks Dept., photography, Wreath Interpretation
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I go to this fun exhibit every year. The NYC Parks’ annual Wreath Interpretations exhibition returned to the Arsenal Gallery (the Arsenal is near the Central Park Zoo). This year’s collection of wreaths was created by artists, designers, and creative individuals of all ages who have used inventive and unexpected materials to re-envision the traditional holiday decoration. Wreaths included in this year’s exhibition use a wide range of unusual materials, including caution tape, traffic light reflectors, safety pins, bath sponges, rulers, Mardi Gras beads, and sugar meringue. They explore a wide range of themes, such as family history, volunteerism, endangered animals, and chemistry. Each wreath is accompanied by a short artist statement that tells gallery visitors about the meaning behind the wreath. The Arsenal Gallery is located on the third floor of NYC Parks’ Headquarters in Central Park, on Fifth Avenue at 64th Street. Gallery hours are Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., except holidays. Admission is free. 
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
6 comments
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
18 comments
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
4 comments
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. 
While at the Zoo 